Lorna Grace Ward (born 3 June 1939) is a South African former cricketer who played as a right-arm pace bowler. She appeared in seven Test matches for South Africa between 1960 and 1972, taking 27 wickets including three five-wicket hauls. She is South Africa's leading wicket-taker in women's Test cricket. ^[1] She played domestic cricket for Natal and Southern Transvaal. ^{[2] [3]}

Playing in South Africa's first Test against the touring English side, Ward was the third South African to be run out in the first-innings as they posted a total of 211. ^[4] Bowling in the reply, Ward took four wickets in the first innings to help restrict the English to 187 runs, giving South Africa a small first-innings lead. ^[4] In a second innings in which South Africa captain Sheelagh Nefdt was criticised for not declaring earlier, ^[5] Ward made 17 runs in support of her captain as they added an unbeaten 52 for the ninth-wicket. ^[4] Ward was wicket-less in the fourth innings as England chased 284, the match eventually finishing in a draw with another 83 runs or 6 wickets required for a result. ^[4]

Ward had minimal involvement in the second Test; she only bowled two overs, taking no wickets and conceding seven runs, and as South Africa were forced to follow-on, she scored a duck in the first-innings and was 0 * when the match finished in a draw in South Africa's second-innings. ^[6] She was again wicket-less in the third Test, conceding 74 runs in her 26 overs in the first-innings. ^[7] South Africa lost the match by eight wickets and, having been promoted to number nine, Ward only made seven runs in the two innings. ^[7]

The fourth Test saw Ward take a remarkable five-wicket haul in the first-innings. All five of her wickets were bowled as she finished the innings with 5/18. ^[8] She failed to take a wicket in the second-innings, bowling expensively for her 18 overs, conceding 44 runs as England set a total of 194 for South Africa to win. ^[8] In reply, South Africa managed a fast 126 from their 37 overs, but could not prevent the draw. ^[8]

Ward was named as part of the squad to play the unofficial Test matches against the Netherlands when England failed to fulfil their fixtures. ^[9] South Africa won all three Tests, and Ward claimed figures of 3/26 in the first-innings of the third Test followed by 4/36 in the second-innings. ^[10]

One of only three survivors from the squad that faced the touring English side in 1960–61, ^[11] Ward appeared in all three Tests against New Zealand eleven years later. ^[12] She started the series well, taking five wickets in New Zealand's first-innings. ^[13] She fell for another duck in the Springboks first-innings and didn't take a wicket in the second-innings as the match finished a draw. ^[13]

The South Africans bowled well in the first-innings of the second Test, with Ward, Gloria Williamson and Denise Weyers taking three wickets apiece to restrict the Kiwis to 168. ^[14] In reply, South Africa could only manage 111, and in spite of another three wickets from Ward, taking an economical 3/38 in her 28 overs, New Zealand declared 277 ahead. ^[14] South Africa were bowled out for 89 and lost the match. ^[14]

In her final Test, Ward achieved her best bowling performance, taking six wickets in the Kiwi's first-innings as they posted a lead of 98 runs. ^[15] As South Africa managed 242 in the second-innings, New Zealand returned to bat needing 148 runs to win. ^[15] Ward took 1/28 as the Kiwis finished just 31 runs short of their target. ^[15]

• Lorna Ward at ESPNcricinfo
• Lorna Ward at CricketArchive (subscription required)