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Mary Ellen “Nell” McLarty B.E.M.

 (1912–1998)

Australian Women’s Cricket Player and Coach

Mary Ellen “Nell” McLarty is celebrated as a pioneer in Victorian and Australian women’s cricket history and a valued mentor to generations of cricketers.

Nell was born in 1912 in Fremantle, Western Australia and, due to family circumstances, was raised in South Melbourne by her aunt. Nell developed a passion for cricket at a young age. She fondly recalled her early experiences, saying,

‘we played in the backyard and from there I got out into the street and played with the boys, and that’s how I learned to play ‒ in the street with the boys.’ 1

At around age 18, Nell’s became aware that women could play cricket competitively. Tall for her age – 5 foot 10 inches (178 cms) ‒ she had the opportunity to join Clarendon, a local women’s competitive cricket team. Having been recommended to the team by her local paper man, Nell was called to replace a player, having only bowled with a tennis ball before. Despite this, she took an impressive 7 wickets for just 2 runs in her first match. This game launched her cricket career, and after one season Nell joined the Collingwood Cricket Club, where she later became captain.

As a sports woman living in the depression era, Nell overcame challenges in pursuing competitive cricket. At this time, women’s cricket games were well attended by the public but received minimal funding. Nell balanced her sporting career with a job as a machinist at Henry Bucks. To purchase equipment and secure cricket pitches the team held raffles and other fundraisers.  

Despite these challenges Nell’s dedication to cricket never wavered ‒ she played with the team twice a week and further honed her skills at home.

In 1931, the formation of the Australian Women’s Cricket Council promoted women in the sport, and by 1933, the rise of women sports writers, such as Patricia Jarrett, helped boost the profile of women’s cricket and players like Nell.

In 1934 at age 22 Nell was selected to represent Australia in the first women’s Test match against the touring England team ‒ a historic milestone in the sport. While competitive cricket had been played by women in Australia since 1874, the 1934 Test marked the first international women’s cricket competition. England won the three Test series 2-0, with the third Test drawn. The matches attracted record-breaking crowds, showcasing the growing interest in cricket played by women. Fast bowler Nell played in both the first and second Tests, opening the batting in the first and contributing 1 wicket and 3 catches.

Nell continued to shine, playing in inter-state matches and earning recognition as a strong all-rounder for both Collingwood and Victoria.

In 1937, Nell toured England with the Australian Women’s cricket team ‒ the first international tour for an Australian women’s team. Although the tour generated much interest and publicity, the players had to raise their own funds to cover travel expenses, reflecting the financial struggles still faced by women athletes. Nell enjoyed a successful tour of England often bowling in tandem with the great leg-spinner Peggy Antonio as well as fielding in close where her long arms would reach out and snatch seemingly impossible catches. She took 33 wickets at 16.5, and made 20 catches, the most by any Australian including the wicket keeper. She played in all three Test matches in the drawn series.

Her promising playing career was cut short by a spinal disease, however, Nell’s contributions to cricket continued. For 50 years Nell dedicated herself to coaching, mentoring the South Hawthorn women’s team, and many Victorian and Australian representatives, both women and men. The Australian captain Miriam Knee was coached by Nell and recalled that she was ‘the complete package’, teaching her charges ‘life skills’, including taking them to the ballet and theatre as well as cricket games. 

In 1949, a testimonial match was held at South Melbourne to raise funds for Nell featuring members of the touring English women’s cricket team and prominent Australian players. Newspapers reported,


‘This match is a tribute to a great player ‒ a girl whose courage in the face of failing health is an inspiration to all.’

In 1980 Nell was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in recognition of her outstanding service to cricket. Nell remained coaching cricket until 78 years of age and passed away in December 1998. Her commitment to cricket left a remarkable legacy.  The Nell McLarty Medal, awarded to the Women’s 1st XI One Day Premiership Coach, was first given in the 2014-15 season to honour Nell’s outstanding contributions to the sport.

Commemoration: Nell McLarty Lane

Nell McLarty lived in the same South Melbourne home from the age of 18 months until she was 86 and was regarded as a living treasure by her local community.

In recognition of her long-standing connection and impact, her neighbours successfully nominated Nell to have a lane named in her honour during a City of Port Phillip street naming competition.

This Biography was written by Her Place Women’s Museum in consultation with Dr. Marion Stell – Author of the Bodyline fix: How Women Saved Cricket.

Image – Souvenir programme, Nell McLarty Testimonial Match, England v Australian XI. South Melbourne Cricket Ground, Tuesday 25th January 1949. – Melbourne Cricket Club Museum

Further Resources

Book 

 Stell, M. (2022). The bodyline fix: How women saved cricket. University of Queensland Press.

1. McLarty, as cited in Stell, M. (2022).  The bodyline fix: How women saved cricket. University of Queensland Press, page 10

2. Stell, M. (2022) The bodyline fix: How women saved cricket. University of Queensland Press, page 11.