In Sept 2006, the Scottish Womens’ cricket team made a ground breaking tour to Shanghai which was the first tour to China made by any official national representative side. As part of the tour they played in the Shanghai International Sixes and took on the Bashers in their first game where they recorded a famous victory. The Bashers were humiliated. Shanghai Scots caught up with four of the girls who played that day, some of whom will also feature when the Japanese play the Scots next month in Glasgow to mark the 150th anniversary of cricket in Japan. That event will mark the role that a Glaswegian played in establishing the first cricket club in Japan. The four girls are Kari Carswell (KC) who captained the Scots on that famous day when they beat the Bashers. Abbi Aitken (AA),pictured, the present captain of Scotland who was 15 years old at the time and who played a key role and also Fiona Urquhart (FI)who smashed them all over the park. Last but not least Annette Drummond(AD), who did not quite make it onto the pitch due to a love of Buckfast.

To this day the proudest ever moment as a Scot in Shanghai was when these girls lined up for the national anthem. They were great ambassadors both for Scotland and for cricket.

Childs, Blyth and Ker need to front up for the big game against the Bashers like these girls did!

SS. Where are you now, what are you up to, are you still playing cricket and still playing for Scotland?

KC: Living in Stirling and now married to Andy! I’m still playing cricket for my local club, Stirling County CC and still playing for Scotland. I’m working for Cricket Scotland as the Women’s Cricket manager, basically I’m trying to develop girls’ and women’s cricket across Scotland. Get more girls’ and women playing the game, increasing awareness and coaching the Senior team!

FI: When we visited China, I had just started a degree at university studying Corporate Communication. I am now in a team leader role within a hydraulics division of an oil company. I am still very much involved in cricket. I play for Aberdeenshire Cricket Club in the north east of Scotland along with Abbi Aitken. I still play for Scotland Women and now open the batting for them.

AD: I'm living in Edinburgh now working for a Sporting Events Management company in the marketing department. I gave up playing cricket around 5 years ago to concentrate on playing football, then I tore my cruciate ligament and have struggled ever since. I was back training with the Scotland Cricket squad for the first time in around 6 years last month (yes, it really was that long ago!!!)

AA: Currently 21 years of age and in my 3rd year of University studying Events Management at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. I play cricket for Aberdeenshire Cricket Club and since 2011 have been Captain of Scotland Women (taking over from Kari once she was appointed the Coach of the Women’s team.) Last season I earned my 50th international cap.

SS. Other than China have you played in any other non-traditional cricketing countries?
AA: After Shanghai, I’ve been fortunate enough to travel a bit with my cricket. Not many non-traditional cricketing countries so to speak, but places I’ve competed/trained in have included Holland, Ireland, Spain and South Africa. In February 2013 I was fortunate enough to Captain the Scotland Women’s Development XI (under 21’s) who competed in the UAE Invitational Arch Trophy in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

SS.On the last night of the 2006 Shanghai Sixes which one of you had to be carried/assisted down the steps of the Big Bamboo bar by Phil Simmons as a result of some balance issues?

AA: Being only 16 when I competed in the Shanghai sixes with the Scotland team, I never experienced these ‘balance issues’ you speak of…however my money is definitely on Charlotte Bascombe. If she hasn’t forwarded herself as an answer to this question then I think it’s safe to say she has memory loss issues as well as those balance ones…

FI: That would be Charlotte Bascombe. I think myself and Kari could take the blame for Bascy's balance issues that night as we had challenged each other to complete the list of shots and cocktails. I was rooming with Charlotte that trip so was a good room-mate and looked after her.

AD: Not guilty for a change.

[Note: For those doubters in the Shanghai Scots who complain about the ferocity of some of the fine sessions good to see Scotland’s elite athletes also favour finishing off a game with a few shots]

SS. We recall that some of you showed off your football skills during a break in the Sixes. Any international or national football honours amongst you?

FI: I tore all the ligaments in my ankle playing football about 3 months after we visited Shanghai. I haven't played competitive football since but do still enjoy the occasional kick about. I have 3 Scotland Schoolgirls caps to my name at under 15 level - few years ago now.

AD: No honours. I played for a Perthshire Select team when I was younger but was never quite good enough. I'm currently having trials with Leith Athletic Ladies squad.

AA: I love my football and have done since I was a kid! Cricket and football are the two sports I still play competitively. Although I never received any international or national footballing honours, I’m still heavily involved in Women’s football. I am currently the president of (and play for) Robert Gordon University Women’s Football and in 2012 we were Scottish University Champions. Also, when cricketing commitments are fewer, I play for Stonehaven Women in the Scottish 2nd Division.

[Note: Looks like FI would have played at the same time as Paula Webster]

SS. Your trip to Shanghai sparked a small revolution in women’s cricket here and directly led to us hosting the Japanese and Pakistani Womens teams for a number of years. What is you abiding memory of your trailblazing trip to Shanghai?

FI: It was just such a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase what we were all about. We had never been on a trip like it. Everyone was so welcoming, the facilities were amazing, the tournament was brilliant and it was great that we were able to compete alongside the men. Playing against China was also memorable, singing the anthems beforehand with the dragon dance, just made for an amazing atmosphere.

AA: To learn our visit had such a positive impact for women’s cricket is really exciting to hear! My experience of the trip to Shanghai is still a very memorable one. Being so young, it was an overwhelming opportunity, but to be part of such an amazing tour at that age is one that I felt very fortunate to experience. I cannot pick just one memory to summarise the trip. From receiving our personalised playing kit when we arrived, living a life of luxury in our hotel, having the most varied and random cuisine on offer at breakfast (brussel sprouts, really?), meeting and playing amongst legends of the game Phil Simmons, Ian Healy and Chris Lewis, beating the Bashers!!, meeting so many wonderful people from all walks of life, seeing the breathtaking sights of Shanghai (notably Pearl Tower, Bar Rouge and the inside of the Jin Mao Building) and singing our National Anthem before becoming the first team to compete against China Women. These could make up just a short list of memories that will stay with me for a long time.

KC: I have quite a few memories. I remember my baggage not arriving for a couple of days and having to borrow kit and clothes! I drank a lot which is totally unlike me and the atmosphere when we played was amazing. It was roasting hot and we didn’t really know what the standard was going to be, so we were chuffed to be able to win some games!!

AD: Great to hear! My main memory was the friendliness of the Chinese people, they really made us feel welcome and pushed the boat out for us. It was the experience of a lifetime and one which I chat about quite often.

SS. You kicked off the 2006 Shanghai Sixes competition by smashing a bunch of predominately red neck chauvinistic Antipodeans called the Bashers, a result that is still the stuff of legend in Shanghai. Which of you played in that game and can you recall anything about it?

FI: I played in the game against the Bashers. I think I opened the batting and was slightly terrified as we really didn't know what we were up against. I remember the relief at getting off the mark and scoring quite freely against them. It was great how after the game, we were all getting along nicely. It was nice to give them a shock.

AA: I certainly did play in that game, and it is definitely a stand out memory! Again being so young, all I really remember was being told that the Bashers weren’t so keen on having ourselves compete in the same league! But growing up playing a predominantly male sport – the girls and myself were somewhat used to similar behaviours and opinions. Being part of the winning side that day was a great feeling (even more so posing for a picture with the scoreboard and losing side after!!)
However, times have dramatically changed and the emergence of Women’s Cricket on a global scale is constantly evolving. Would be interesting to see if the Bashers and others alike would still hold similar opinions?

KC: I played in it, I can’t remember too much about the game itself. All I remember was that I think everyone wanted us to win!!!

AD: Yes I can remember this, but I don't think I played as I had food poisoning (otherwise known as a hangover). I recall us being well up for it due to a few possible sexist comments!

SS. The Shanghai Scottish Sports Club will make its cricketing debut against the Bashers this May. What advice would you offer the team?

AA: I’m trying to think of some ‘Braveheartesque’ speech to give…but no such luck! I’d say to enjoy the experience, play with confidence and pride, and to back yourselves! If all fails, then chip in with a few cheeky chirps about their defeat to the Scottish Women – surely it’s still got to be a sore point, right?

KC: Remind them of getting beat from a bunch of women!

AD: I would advise them to give as good as they get! The Bashers were all talk and no action (particularly the fat rude guy on the mike)!

FI: I would say just to play to your strengths and control what you can control. They might be nervous as it's their first game but I think nerves are a good thing. Bowl in the right areas, play your shots when batting and most of all - enjoy it.

SS. We provided you with rather unconventional team bus in Shanghai something the Japanese also subsequently enjoyed when they first visited. Can we expect Cricket Scotland to lay on something equally lavish for the Japanese when they visit as having a fully stocked bar in the bus is of course considered very polite in this part of the World?

FI: I have never seen such an amazing bus as the one we were on that night. Have never seen anything similar over here but I'm confident we will be just as hospitable and look after you guys.

AA: Still to this day that bus remains the best mode of transport I’ve ever been on! If Cricket Scotland managed to find a superior bus or something similar then they’d be doing extremely well!! However, no matter where you travel in Scotland, a fully stocked bar isn’t far away, that I can assure you of!

AD: Oh..... My.... God..... That bus was truly the stuff of legends. I pray to God we have one over here, preferably stocked with Buckfast.

[Note: The bus was provided by Diageo who were also one of the team’s sponsors . It was a special bus fitted out for a J&B Rare promotion although clearly that was a bit too classy for at least one of them].

9. If the opportunity arose would you like to come back out to East Asia/China and play? [Chance of a reciprocal invite from the Japanese is probably 100%]

FI: It would be absolutely amazing if we could return to China/East Asia to play. We still frequently speak about our Shanghai adventure and I know myself and all the girls would love the opportunity to embark on another trip.

AA: Without any hesitation, yes! If I was fortunate enough to experience a trip similar then I would be absolutely delighted. To see new parts of the world, experience different cultures and meet new people, all while getting to play the sport we all love – who can complain?!

AD: How many times can I say yes?! YES! It would be amazing.

KC: 100% yes, the girls who went on the trip in 2006 are always talking about it, and I think it has made us all realise what a great game cricket is