MCC can confirm it is in the process of agreeing plans for commemorating former England captain and Honorary Life Member Rachael Heyhoe Flint at Lord’s, with further details to be announced in due course.

Baroness Heyhoe Flint contributed a huge amount to the women’s game and indeed MCC, becoming one of the world’s best-known female cricketers, playing for England in a career which spanned 22 years. She led England to victory in the 1973 Women’s World Cup, a tournament she had been instrumental in getting off the ground and also captained England against Australia at Lord’s in 1976 – the first women’s match to be played at the Ground.

After leading the campaign for women to be able to join MCC, she became one of the first women to become a Member of MCC when the Committee awarded her Honorary Life Membership. In 2004 she was the first woman elected to the Main Committee and she later served the Club as a Trustee.

MCC has an ambitious and positive agenda for women’s and girls’ cricket to increase its reach and to position Lord’s as welcome and open to all and commemoration of Rachael’s pioneering achievements is part of this wider plan. This commitment was highlighted at an event to celebrate MCC Women’s Day on 29 April when a prestigious panel, hosted by President Designate Clare Connor, discussed MCC’s progress and objectives for the women’s game.

"we will be looking at how we honour Rachael’s legacy as part of our wider strategy to advance women’s and girls’ cricket"

Guy Lavender, Chief Executive & Secretary of Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) said: “Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s contribution to the women’s game and to MCC is unparalleled. Her portrait, commissioned by the Club in 2010, is displayed above the entrance to the Long Room in the Pavilion at Lord’s. Its position signifies and acknowledges the huge impact she had on cricket and the admiration in which she is held.

“The Club has been considering further ways to commemorate Rachael’s considerable achievements and when we emerge from the worst of the pandemic, we will be looking at how we honour Rachael’s legacy as part of our wider strategy to advance women’s and girls’ cricket.

"I have had no sense of opposition to this intent, indeed the notion that there is a revolt at Lord’s is highly misleading with no such challenge raised across our Club committees, or by the broader Membership who recognise Rachael’s contribution to the game of cricket as a whole.”