A sad farewell to Rachel Heyhoe-Flint who passed away in January after a short illness and was buried in her home town of Wolverhampton yesterday.
She almost single handedly pioneered women's cricket in England and championed the cause of women in sport generally.
She captained the England women's team from 1966 to 1978 and was awarded first an MBE, then an OBE and was eventually made a Baroness in 2011 for her services to sport.
She also played Netball and Hockey for England and even took on that most stubborn monolith of sport, the MCC - and won..!! In 1999 she finally won her battle to have women cricketers recognised and forced the MCC to allow female members. Shortly before the start of the 1999 ICC World Cup she became the first female member of the MCC and took her place in the Long Room as an equal. It was a landmark day in British women's sport and was the catalyst for other challenges to male hegemony in England.
All the battles are not yet won, but with the spirit of RHF in our minds and hearts, women everywhere will be encouraged to keep fighting... never give up.
She was a remarkable, determined and courageous woman who served her country well and was not only a great cricketer, but a great all round sportswoman.
Thank you, Rachel, for all you did for sportswomen all over the world.
Rachel Heyhoe-Flint batting against the Australians at Lords' in 1966. Note; Female cricketers playing in skirts..!! Amazing.