Alice Davidson-Richards hopes Alzheimer’s Society’s new partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board can be a game-changer for dementia.
Day three of the final Ashes Test at the Oval on July 29 will be dedicated to Alzheimer’s Society to raise vital funds and awareness.
And England’s Davidson-Richards, whose father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia two-and-a-half years ago, believes it will make a big difference.
The Kent, South East Stars and Northern Superchargers all-rounder told the PA news agency: “It’s going to be amazing for Alzheimer’s.
“The cricket we’ve had so far this summer in the men’s and women’s Ashes series has been incredible, which makes an event like this for Alzheimer’s Society a really key point.
“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to put themselves out there, get the awareness out there and really show what they’ve got to give and how much they can help people, give them vital hope at a time when it’s very tough for families affected.”
One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia and Alzheimer’s Society said there are over 900,000 individuals living with dementia in the country – enough to fill the Oval 33 times over.
The charity believes “great cricket should be unforgettable” and said its dedicated day during the final men’s Test will help fund faster diagnosis, life-changing support and vital research.
Davidson-Richards said her unforgettable moment this summer was in the Women’s Ashes Test at Trent Bridge last month, which Australia won by 89 runs.
England’s Lauren Filer dismissed Ellyse Perry on 99 in Australia’s first innings and Davidson-Richards said: “I was involved in the Test squad and got to watch the girls put up a hell of a fight there.
“Watching Lauren Filer’s unbelievable spell of bowling stands out. I was watching with a friend who took her phone out to video and I said ‘imagine if you get Lauren getting Ellyse Perry out on 99’ and right on cue she did it!
“That was obviously one of those moments. It’s been an incredible summer for the girls and great to see how much fight they have shown.”
Davidson-Richards said she owes her career in the sport to her cricket-mad father.
“He’s from Yorkshire and I lived next to a cricket ground so I didn’t really stand a chance,” she said.
“I also had three older brothers, who aren’t as good at cricket, so as soon as I came along and he realised I had good hand-eye co-ordination, he thought ‘this is the one’!
“I’m still lucky to get to see snippets of him, but you can also see it starting to take over.
“There isn’t the rationality or the memories and things like that. His short-term memory is pretty shot to pieces.”
Davidson-Richards made a stunning Test debut for England in 2022 when making 107 in a draw against South Africa at Taunton.
She added: “From a personal point of view that’s a really cool, unforgettable moment for me. Especially since my dad doesn’t have any idea what I’ve done this summer, but he remembers I got a hundred on my England debut at Taunton.
“The fact that he doesn’t remember a lot of other things that go on, it’s a special thing for him to remember that and it only adds weight to the memory for me.”
West Indies in control as Bangladesh battle to avoid follow-on
West Indies will take a 181-run lead heading into day four of their opening Test against Bangladesh.
Having dominated day two, West Indies turned in another excellent display on Sunday to further gain control of the match.
After resuming on 40-2, Bangladesh saw Shahadat Hossain fall to Kemar Roach (1-30), but Mominul Haque did reach 50 before he was pinned lbw by Jayden Seales (2-42).
Shamar Joseph dismissed Litton Das (40) soon after as the Windies bowlers stepped into their rhythm, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (23) was soon sent packing by Alzarri Joseph, who grabbed his second wicket when he bowled Taijul Islam (18).
However, that wicket came after Taijul had combined with Jaker Ali (53) to offer some resistance and ensured the tourists avoided the follow-on.
Jaker was caught by Seales when attempting to slog Justin Greaves (2-34), with Taskin Ahmed (11 not out) and Shoriful Islam (five not out) guiding Bangladesh to 269-9 at stumps, chasing West Indies' first-innings total of 450.
Data Debrief: Bravery needed for Bangladesh
It is all about hanging on now for Bangladesh, who have to somehow see out the next two days if they are to avoid a fifth straight Test defeat.
West Indies, meanwhile, look all set to make it five Tests unbeaten at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua, where Bangladesh are out to avoid a third loss.
Greaves hits unbeaten ton as West Indies dominate Bangladesh
Justin Greaves hit an unbeaten century – his first red-ball ton – as West Indies ended day two of their first Test against Bangladesh with a commanding 410-run lead.
Greaves resumed alongside Joshua Da Silva with West Indies 250-5 after day one in Antigua, eventually slamming 115 runs off 206 balls faced as the hosts established a dominant position.
His steady knock ensured the Windies recovered nicely after slipping to 261-7 early on, while Kemar Roach hit a career-best 47 through four defiant hours at the crease.
Hasan Mahmud took three day-two wickets for Bangladesh, including that of Roach, as his short delivery angled in to clip the top of middle stump.
Windies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite declared to put Bangladesh at the crease late on, and there was no respite for the tourists against the hosts' four-man pace attack.
Zakir Hasan fell to Jayden Seales for 15, while Mahmudul Hasan Joy edged Alzarri Joseph for five shortly after being dropped, leaving Bangladesh 40-2 at stumps.
Data Debrief: Career-best for Greaves
Greaves' unbeaten 115 marked his first century in Test cricket, surpassing his previous best knock – a score of 33 versus Australia in January – by some distance.
His strike rate of 55.83 on Saturday, while steady, also bettered his effort of 55.00 during that match in Brisbane. Thanks to his efforts, Bangladesh have a real mountain to climb on day three.
Inglis hails 'hard to stop' Stoinis after ruthless knock
Josh Inglis lauded "hard to stop" Marcus Stoinis as Australia signed off their T20I series against Pakistan in style, claiming a whitewash.
The hosts raced to a seven-wicket victory with almost nine overs remaining in Monday's third match.
After Australia's bowlers had limited Pakistan to just 117 runs, Stoinis ensured they signed off their final white-ball assignment in style, with his unbeaten 61 doing the damage.
Only twice has he bettered that knock in T20Is – versus New Zealand in 2021 (78) and against Oman at the World Cup earlier this year (67*).
"It's been a great week. We've had a lot of fun as a group," Inglis said. "It's been really nice.
"When Stoinis is going like that, he is really hard to stop. One of those sixes was probably the biggest I've ever seen!"
Stoinis, who was named player of the match, added: "Nice to score some runs on a beautiful wicket but credit to the bowlers who kept the total down.
"Yeah, I actually told [Haris] Rauf that this is the first time any of us got the better of him! No, he's a brilliant bowler, bowled well this series."
During their white-ball tour, Pakistan won the ODI series, their first time doing so in Australia in 22 years, but got whitewashed in the T20Is.
Despite the heavy loss, captain Agha Salman chose to focus on the positive effect the experience will have on their young players.
"I think in the middle overs, we didn't capitalise on the start," he said. "But lots of positives.
"The way Usman [Khan] batted, the way Jahandad [Khan] bowled. These youngsters will come good.
"It's obviously a big achievement winning the ODI series, but we could have done much better in the T20Is."
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