With the announcement of Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s international retirement, the last remaining tie to the amateur era of women’s cricket has passed. The complete fast bowler, she bestrode the female game for most of this century, overcoming two potentially career-ending injuries to win three Ashes, two 50-over World Cups and a World T20 title. In all she took 335 international wickets, more than any other Englishwoman in history.

Beyond the gongs and numbers, she personified the spirit of the era. As an amateur she brought a hard-nosed professional edge to the women’s game; while as the rec...