Elaine Bray made her Test debut for Australia in 1968/9 against England. She also played in the first two World Cup tournaments. Tragically died at just 57 years of age.
Born on March 22nd 1940 in Kew, Melbourne, Victoria, Elaine began her First Class career for Victoria in the Second XI in 1960, a top order right hand batter and left arm medium pace bowler.
In 1962 Elaine tasted international success when she was selected to play for Australia – in the hockey team on a tour of Malaysia. Hockey would run alongside cricket for much of her career.
In 1965/66 Elaine is in the senior Victoria state team and good form over the next two seasons sees her selected for the home Ashes series in 1968/69. After a modest start in the first two Tests, a half century at North Sydney Oval, top scoring for Australia in the second innings.
In 1971 Elaine captains the Victoria state hockey team to its first interstate hockey success in 47 years.
It is a good year because she is elevated to the role of vice-captain of the Australian Test team, under Miriam Knee. She retains the role on the tour to Jamaica and then to the inaugural World Cup in 1973. Her entire ODI career is played over two World Cups – 1973 and 1977/78 and her highest score came against England at Birmingham when she scored 40.
Her final Test match was against India in 1977 where Elaine achieved her highest Test score of 86, top scoring in the first innings. Elaine passed away at the young age of 57 at Ballarat, Victoria in 1988.