110 not out...Cricketer and spy’s milestone birthday

THE world’s oldest international cricketer has turned 110 – and Eileen Ash credits yoga and red wine for her marathon innings.

Eileen, who spied for MI6 in the Second World War, celebrated her milestone with family and friends, and by sitting in her beloved Mini.

The right arm medium-paced bowler made her Test debut for England against Australia in 1937.

Her final game of seven internationals was versus New Zealand in Auckland 12 years later. She continued working at MI6 for a decade after the war ended.

Eileen kissed her 110th birthday card from the Queen during celebrations at St John’s House care home in Norwich, Norfolk.

Fiona Mawby, wellbeing manager, said Eileen was “cheeky, friendly and happy. She’s just such a lovely lady, she wakes up with a smile.

“She always put her long life down to her yoga, which she used to do twice a week.And she loves a glass of red wine – she always says that’s prolonged her life.”

Eileen, who passed her driving test aged 105 and then drove the yellow Mini for a while, still takes part in a weekly fitness class. She only stopped playing golf at 98.

Her presents included a copy of her original bat engraved with the message “Eileen Ash: 110 not out”.

She also sat in her car again after it was brought along by relatives.

Fiona said: “She must have got over 100 birthday cards. The number of people who rang up to make sure she was having a fantastic day was overwhelming.”

Good wishes from around the world included a video message from England cricketers, led by men’s Test captain Joe Root.

Eileen, who retired to Norfolk with her husband, is an honorary life member of the Marylebone

Cricket Club, having been rewarded with the honour when she celebrated her 100th birthday.

In 2017, at 105, she was invited to ring the bell at Lord’s to mark the start of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. She returned in 2019 when her portrait was unveiled to mark her being the oldest living international cricketer.