Personal info
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Public Figures

Gender

Female

Birthday

19 January

Location

Victoria, Australia

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Miriam Knee

Biography

Miriam Knee OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia), born on January 19, 1938, in Ringwood, Victoria, is a revered figure in Australian women's cricket. A gifted left-handed batter and a sharp right-arm off-spin bowler, Knee's career spanned a significant period in the sport's development, seeing her lead Australia in its first-ever Women's Cricket World Cup campaign.

 

 

Early Promise and International Call-up: Miriam Knee's talent was recognized early, as she began playing for Victoria in 1958. Her strong performances in domestic cricket quickly earned her a place in the national team. She made her Test debut for Australia in March 1961 against New Zealand, marking the beginning of a distinguished international career.

 

 

An All-Round Force: Throughout her career (1961-1973), Knee was a consistent performer with both bat and ball. As a left-handed batter, she was known for her solid technique and ability to build innings. Her highest Test score of 96, achieved against England in 1969, demonstrated her batting prowess, narrowly missing out on a well-deserved century. With the ball, her right-arm off-spin was highly effective, known for its accuracy and wicket-taking ability. She finished the 1963 Ashes series as Australia's leading wicket-taker, including a best of 5/35 against England.

 

 

Captaincy and World Cup History: Miriam Knee's leadership qualities were recognized when she was appointed captain of the Australian women's team. She made history by becoming Australia's first-ever ODI captain, leading the side in the inaugural Women's Cricket World Cup in 1973 in England. This groundbreaking tournament was a significant step for women's cricket globally, and Knee played a pivotal role in guiding the Australian team.

 

 

Key Career Highlights:

  • Test Wickets and Batting: In 8 Test matches, she took 35 wickets at an impressive average of 16.28, including two five-wicket hauls. She also scored 319 runs with three half-centuries.
  • ODI Pioneer: She captained Australia in their first six One Day Internationals, all during the 1973 World Cup.

 

  • Leading Wicket-Taker (1963 Ashes): Her 16 wickets in the 1963 Ashes series made her the highest wicket-taker for Australia.

 

  • Post-Playing Contributions: After her playing career, Knee continued to contribute significantly to cricket. She served as a selector for Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to the development of the game.

 

  • Order of Australia Medal (OAM): In 2023, Miriam Knee was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the King's Birthday Honours List for her service to cricket and the community, a fitting recognition of her enduring legacy.

 

Miriam Knee's career is a testament to her all-around abilities, her leadership, and her pioneering spirit in the early days of international women's cricket. She remains an influential figure in Australian cricketing history.