Raf Nicholson
@rafnicholson.bsky.social
Women’s cricket historian & journalist. Sports Journalism lecturer at Bournemouth University & writer for Guardian Sport.
And in case anyone is wondering - yes, Millie was at the Bowl to see that innings by her sister 😊
September 17, 2025 at 6:18 PM
And in case anyone is wondering - yes, Millie was at the Bowl to see that innings by her sister 😊
OK this latest press release from the ICC has seriously pissed me off.
The VERY FIRST World Cup in 1973 was entirely umpired by women.
Maybe pause a minute from puffing yourselves up to read a history book? (I can recommend a good one... 😂)
www.icc-cricket.com/media-releas...
The VERY FIRST World Cup in 1973 was entirely umpired by women.
Maybe pause a minute from puffing yourselves up to read a history book? (I can recommend a good one... 😂)
www.icc-cricket.com/media-releas...
September 11, 2025 at 9:57 AM
OK this latest press release from the ICC has seriously pissed me off.
The VERY FIRST World Cup in 1973 was entirely umpired by women.
Maybe pause a minute from puffing yourselves up to read a history book? (I can recommend a good one... 😂)
www.icc-cricket.com/media-releas...
The VERY FIRST World Cup in 1973 was entirely umpired by women.
Maybe pause a minute from puffing yourselves up to read a history book? (I can recommend a good one... 😂)
www.icc-cricket.com/media-releas...
It strikes me that if we’d been selecting the list this month, Davina Perrin might have been a tad higher up! 😁
From @wisdencricket.bsky.social’s most recent issue - The 25 Best Young Players in the World. (Syd and I both wrote profiles for this feature.)
From @wisdencricket.bsky.social’s most recent issue - The 25 Best Young Players in the World. (Syd and I both wrote profiles for this feature.)
September 6, 2025 at 12:17 PM
It strikes me that if we’d been selecting the list this month, Davina Perrin might have been a tad higher up! 😁
From @wisdencricket.bsky.social’s most recent issue - The 25 Best Young Players in the World. (Syd and I both wrote profiles for this feature.)
From @wisdencricket.bsky.social’s most recent issue - The 25 Best Young Players in the World. (Syd and I both wrote profiles for this feature.)
And as an unexpected bonus, I bumped into @katexe.bsky.social who I have followed for years on social media but never met in person!
September 5, 2025 at 4:18 PM
And as an unexpected bonus, I bumped into @katexe.bsky.social who I have followed for years on social media but never met in person!
Lovely to meet Frances Thompson, a direct descendant of Vera Cox, who gave a fascinating talk about Great Comp based around Vera’s letters.
Including the stresses of having to arrange the 1937 Australian tour of England (Vera was the main organiser) & have the ENTIRE Aussie team stay at the house!
Including the stresses of having to arrange the 1937 Australian tour of England (Vera was the main organiser) & have the ENTIRE Aussie team stay at the house!
September 5, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Lovely to meet Frances Thompson, a direct descendant of Vera Cox, who gave a fascinating talk about Great Comp based around Vera’s letters.
Including the stresses of having to arrange the 1937 Australian tour of England (Vera was the main organiser) & have the ENTIRE Aussie team stay at the house!
Including the stresses of having to arrange the 1937 Australian tour of England (Vera was the main organiser) & have the ENTIRE Aussie team stay at the house!
A wonderful women’s cricket history pilgrimage today to Great Comp in Kent. This is where Frances Heron-Maxwell and Vera Cox(2 of the founders of the Women’s Cricket Association) lived for decades, and where many early WCA matches were played.
September 5, 2025 at 4:18 PM
A wonderful women’s cricket history pilgrimage today to Great Comp in Kent. This is where Frances Heron-Maxwell and Vera Cox(2 of the founders of the Women’s Cricket Association) lived for decades, and where many early WCA matches were played.
It is now absolutely hosing it down. Sadly, I suspect we are heading for a Warwickshire v Durham washout.
September 4, 2025 at 11:19 AM
It is now absolutely hosing it down. Sadly, I suspect we are heading for a Warwickshire v Durham washout.
Covers are coming off at Portland Road, but it is a bit of a race against time to dry everything out. The far end of the pitch looks particularly tricky.
For now, early lunch has been taken (midday). Cut off is about 4.20pm for a 10 over game.
For now, early lunch has been taken (midday). Cut off is about 4.20pm for a 10 over game.
September 4, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Covers are coming off at Portland Road, but it is a bit of a race against time to dry everything out. The far end of the pitch looks particularly tricky.
For now, early lunch has been taken (midday). Cut off is about 4.20pm for a 10 over game.
For now, early lunch has been taken (midday). Cut off is about 4.20pm for a 10 over game.
Toss delayed here at Portland Road. What a surprise ☔️
(On the bright side, it’s not *currently* raining.)
(On the bright side, it’s not *currently* raining.)
September 4, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Toss delayed here at Portland Road. What a surprise ☔️
(On the bright side, it’s not *currently* raining.)
(On the bright side, it’s not *currently* raining.)
Off to do commentary on the One Day Cup at Portland Road - Warwickshire v Durham.
Only one snag - it’s raining ☔️
Still - I’ve met up with my old mate the Birmingham Bull from #CWG2022
Only one snag - it’s raining ☔️
Still - I’ve met up with my old mate the Birmingham Bull from #CWG2022
September 4, 2025 at 7:49 AM
Off to do commentary on the One Day Cup at Portland Road - Warwickshire v Durham.
Only one snag - it’s raining ☔️
Still - I’ve met up with my old mate the Birmingham Bull from #CWG2022
Only one snag - it’s raining ☔️
Still - I’ve met up with my old mate the Birmingham Bull from #CWG2022
Despite all the anxiety surrounding the future of the W’s Hundred, I always feel energised after finals weekend 💛
I even got to pop up to TMS in the innings break of the final with @henrymoeran.bsky.social to discuss this year’s comp.
Congrats to Superchargers! Must buy some popchips to celebrate…
I even got to pop up to TMS in the innings break of the final with @henrymoeran.bsky.social to discuss this year’s comp.
Congrats to Superchargers! Must buy some popchips to celebrate…
September 1, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Despite all the anxiety surrounding the future of the W’s Hundred, I always feel energised after finals weekend 💛
I even got to pop up to TMS in the innings break of the final with @henrymoeran.bsky.social to discuss this year’s comp.
Congrats to Superchargers! Must buy some popchips to celebrate…
I even got to pop up to TMS in the innings break of the final with @henrymoeran.bsky.social to discuss this year’s comp.
Congrats to Superchargers! Must buy some popchips to celebrate…
Post-play, an emotional Davina Perrin is greeted by her family and her first ever coach Charles Harrison, who she says is “the first coach who ever really believed in me”.
August 30, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Post-play, an emotional Davina Perrin is greeted by her family and her first ever coach Charles Harrison, who she says is “the first coach who ever really believed in me”.
That sounds very well deserved.
Meanwhile I have climbed Slemish!
Meanwhile I have climbed Slemish!
August 25, 2025 at 3:00 PM
That sounds very well deserved.
Meanwhile I have climbed Slemish!
Meanwhile I have climbed Slemish!
Live life like a dachshund lying on warm concrete ☀️
August 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Live life like a dachshund lying on warm concrete ☀️
And Greg Ryan discussed the 1972 New Zealand women’s cricket tour to South Africa, which is a fascinating example of how women’s sport was NOT an anti-racist panacea during apartheid. We need more work like this! #BSSH2025
August 22, 2025 at 2:46 PM
And Greg Ryan discussed the 1972 New Zealand women’s cricket tour to South Africa, which is a fascinating example of how women’s sport was NOT an anti-racist panacea during apartheid. We need more work like this! #BSSH2025
And last but not least at #BSSH2025, a panel on women, identity and sporting politics.
@researchdogsbody.bsky.social presented a carefully pieced-together biography of Julia Andrew, one of the earliest women’s sports coaches in the UK. Andrew coached the English team at the 1921 Women's Olympiad.
@researchdogsbody.bsky.social presented a carefully pieced-together biography of Julia Andrew, one of the earliest women’s sports coaches in the UK. Andrew coached the English team at the 1921 Women's Olympiad.
August 22, 2025 at 1:50 PM
And last but not least at #BSSH2025, a panel on women, identity and sporting politics.
@researchdogsbody.bsky.social presented a carefully pieced-together biography of Julia Andrew, one of the earliest women’s sports coaches in the UK. Andrew coached the English team at the 1921 Women's Olympiad.
@researchdogsbody.bsky.social presented a carefully pieced-together biography of Julia Andrew, one of the earliest women’s sports coaches in the UK. Andrew coached the English team at the 1921 Women's Olympiad.
Next up, a panel celebrating 30 years of the De Montfort University Sports History MA programme. I used to love going along to some of their events in the early days of my PhD. Expertly chaired by @hdichter.bsky.social 👏
August 22, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Next up, a panel celebrating 30 years of the De Montfort University Sports History MA programme. I used to love going along to some of their events in the early days of my PhD. Expertly chaired by @hdichter.bsky.social 👏
For me, it was especially fascinating to hear @emmyailish.bsky.social's argument about the divided skirt in hockey as a material reflection of tensions about women’s bodies & athletic identities.
Lots of crossover with cricket, which was of course played in skirts until the 1990s! #BSSH2025
Lots of crossover with cricket, which was of course played in skirts until the 1990s! #BSSH2025
August 22, 2025 at 10:58 AM
For me, it was especially fascinating to hear @emmyailish.bsky.social's argument about the divided skirt in hockey as a material reflection of tensions about women’s bodies & athletic identities.
Lots of crossover with cricket, which was of course played in skirts until the 1990s! #BSSH2025
Lots of crossover with cricket, which was of course played in skirts until the 1990s! #BSSH2025
Really enjoyed presenting on The History and Future of the Sports Press Conference today at #BSSH2025
Are they still useful in a social media age? Who are they for? What power imbalances are at work? We had a great discussion afterwards too!
Are they still useful in a social media age? Who are they for? What power imbalances are at work? We had a great discussion afterwards too!
August 21, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Really enjoyed presenting on The History and Future of the Sports Press Conference today at #BSSH2025
Are they still useful in a social media age? Who are they for? What power imbalances are at work? We had a great discussion afterwards too!
Are they still useful in a social media age? Who are they for? What power imbalances are at work? We had a great discussion afterwards too!
Earlier, I had the pleasure of chairing Steve Bolton’s keynote, “Doing Public History”. I shed a tear watching this wonderful film about his Granny, the footballer Lizzy Ashcroft. #BSSH2025
You can watch it here: castelliandco.com/projects/gra...
You can watch it here: castelliandco.com/projects/gra...
August 21, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Earlier, I had the pleasure of chairing Steve Bolton’s keynote, “Doing Public History”. I shed a tear watching this wonderful film about his Granny, the footballer Lizzy Ashcroft. #BSSH2025
You can watch it here: castelliandco.com/projects/gra...
You can watch it here: castelliandco.com/projects/gra...
This paper from Conor Meyler at #BSSH2025 was right up my alley!
Conor showed how mergers between male & female sporting organisations ALWAYS seem to lead to underrepesentation of women in governance.
A very live issue because the 3 Gaelic games associations in Ireland are considering a merger...
Conor showed how mergers between male & female sporting organisations ALWAYS seem to lead to underrepesentation of women in governance.
A very live issue because the 3 Gaelic games associations in Ireland are considering a merger...
August 21, 2025 at 12:44 PM
This paper from Conor Meyler at #BSSH2025 was right up my alley!
Conor showed how mergers between male & female sporting organisations ALWAYS seem to lead to underrepesentation of women in governance.
A very live issue because the 3 Gaelic games associations in Ireland are considering a merger...
Conor showed how mergers between male & female sporting organisations ALWAYS seem to lead to underrepesentation of women in governance.
A very live issue because the 3 Gaelic games associations in Ireland are considering a merger...
I’ve just chaired a fab session on Irish sport, with papers on the history of ladies Gaelic football (Hayley Kilgallon), mountaineering (Kevin Higgins), and Lady Florence Dixie (Stuart Gibbs).
Interesting theme of the tensions between “recreation” and professionalism present in all 3. #BSSH2025
Interesting theme of the tensions between “recreation” and professionalism present in all 3. #BSSH2025
August 21, 2025 at 11:01 AM
I’ve just chaired a fab session on Irish sport, with papers on the history of ladies Gaelic football (Hayley Kilgallon), mountaineering (Kevin Higgins), and Lady Florence Dixie (Stuart Gibbs).
Interesting theme of the tensions between “recreation” and professionalism present in all 3. #BSSH2025
Interesting theme of the tensions between “recreation” and professionalism present in all 3. #BSSH2025
First up, the Aberdare Prize keynote from Matthew Brown, who won the Prize last year for his book Sports in South America: A History.
Matthew argues that the arrival of football cannibalised pre-existing indigenous sporting cultures & spaces. His book disrupts our colonial understandings of sport.
Matthew argues that the arrival of football cannibalised pre-existing indigenous sporting cultures & spaces. His book disrupts our colonial understandings of sport.
August 21, 2025 at 8:43 AM
First up, the Aberdare Prize keynote from Matthew Brown, who won the Prize last year for his book Sports in South America: A History.
Matthew argues that the arrival of football cannibalised pre-existing indigenous sporting cultures & spaces. His book disrupts our colonial understandings of sport.
Matthew argues that the arrival of football cannibalised pre-existing indigenous sporting cultures & spaces. His book disrupts our colonial understandings of sport.