Gillian McConway

Gillian Elizabeth McConway (born 8 May 1950) is a former cricketer who played as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler. Born in New Zealand but settled in England, she appeared in 14 Test matches and 11 One Day Internationals for England between 1984 and 1987. She also played 12 matches for International XI at the 1982 World Cup. She played domestic cricket for Wellington and Otago in New Zealand, and for Surrey and East Anglia in England.

Early life McConway was born in Wanganui, New Zealand. As a "tiny tot", she would watch her father, John, playing cricket in their family's backyard with other children from the neighbourhood. She would also run out, still in nappies, to have a bat.

When McConway was seven years old, the family moved to Oamaru, and her father joined Union Cricket Club. Through him, she learned much about cricket. On one memorable occasion, when the club hosted a game against player's partners, she stood in for her mother. Despite having to wear batting pads that were far too big for her, she scored more than 100 runs against a team including some of North Otago's greats.

Domestic career In New Zealand, McConway played domestic cricket for Wellington and later Otago. In July 1986, she achieved her best Test bowling figures, of 42-27-34-7, in the first innings of the third Test against India at Worcester.

In 2019, she was belatedly presented with a cap as England's 91st Test cricketer and 35th ODI player.

Administration career In the 1980s, McConway was manager of a leisure centre in Boreham Wood, Hertfordshire. In the 1990s, she was an England team selector.

Between 2000 and 2007, McConway served as the executive director of the England and Wales Cricket Board. In 2005, she was a member of the first International Cricket Council (ICC) women's development committee, following the ICC's merger that year with the International Women's Cricket Council.

Personal life In England, McConway enjoyed gardening, "... and home decorating my Olde Worlde Cottage, something that you can't find in New Zealand." In 2007, she moved back to New Zealand, where she settled in Ōtaki. She took up golf, always attends Wellington cricket matches, and visits Oamaru at least once a year.