Rolton wins Peden-Archdale Medal

Australian Southern Stars all-rounder Karen Rolton was presented yesterday with the Peden-Archdale Medal as the outstanding player in this year's England v Australia women's cricket series.

Rolton was presented with the medallion by IWCC president Christine Brierley following the conclusion of the Second Test in the CricInfo Women's Series at Headingley, won by Australia by nine wickets.

On Saturday Rolton broke the world record for the highest individual score in women's Test cricket, scoring 209 not out in the Australian first innings. Named as Australia's player of the series in both the Tests and one-dayers against England, Rolton scored 176 runs at 59.33 in the limited-overs matches, and 216 at 216.00 in the Tests (having also made a duck in the first game at Shenley). She also took four inexpensive wickets in the one-day games.

The Peden-Archdale Medal is named after the two captains in the first England versus Australia women's Test series in 1934-35, namely Margaret Peden (Australia) and Betty Archdale (England). Inaugurated last year, it is given to the most outstanding player in a series (Test and/or one-day) between England and Australia.

Rolton is the second winner of the Peden-Archdale Medal. The first, given following the 1999-2000 English tour of Australia, was Victorian fast bowler Charmaine Mason, who yesterday announced that she is retiring from international cricket.