Vale Dr Margaret Pickles (24/11/1935 - 15/01/2024)
One of the key figures in the formation of the Melbourne University Women’s Cricket Club in 1955/56 was Margaret Pickles. The side that was fielded in the A Grade of the Victorian Women’s Cricket Association was captained by Margaret and ever since, she was a club stalwart.
Very few cricketers can boast a playing career such as Margaret’s. She was the club Captain for their first Premiership success in 1959/60 and would play in each of the other four flag successes.
Margaret Pickles’ performances during that early success would earn her a Full Blue for cricket from the University. Margaret then earned Victorian selection in 1961 and in doing so, became the 96th player to do so.
The 1963/64 Pennant winning side was Vice Captained by Margaret, and she was integral to the Club’s 1967/68 B Grade Premiership win.
In 1968/69, Margaret was selected to play for an Australian Combined XI against England at the WACA Ground in Perth. Margaret top scored for the Combined XI with 63 and sent down a couple of overs in the second innings.
Following the return to A Grade cricket from that 1968 success, the MUCC Women won a further two Premierships in 1971/72 and 1974/75. Margaret was a permanent fixture in those sides and is now the club’s only five-time Premiership player.
Following the merger with the Men’s section of the club in 2008, Margaret continued to represent the Club with distinction until her final match in 2010.
With a MUCC career spanning more than half a century, Margaret Pickles was deservedly recognised with Life Membership and, cricitally, induction into the MUCC Hall of Fame.
We send our condolences to Margaret’s husband John, family and friends.
