Women cricketers to feature on Lord’s Honour Board

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In a landmark move, Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has decided to include milestones of women cricketers on the Lord’s Honours Board. The new decision will also recognise centuries and five-wicket hauls in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). MCC have installed new Honours Boards ahead of the 2019 season.

Previously, only Test cricketers who had scored tons and bagged fifers were officially recorded in the home and away dressing rooms at Lord’s. The new move will see former stars Ricky Ponting, Michael Atherton and Muttiah Muralitharan make it to the list having missed out on the Test grade.

With ODIs making its way to the board, even the women players will now be immortalised. Anya Shrubsole, who scalped a six-fer (6 for 46) in final of the Women’s World Cup in 2017, will feature on the board. Australia’s Cathryn Fitzpatrick and England’s Katherine Brunt are the other bowlers whose name will adorn the wall. Claire Taylor, Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins from England and Australia’s Lisa Keightley have all scored centuries in ODIs and all their names will be inscribed.

Guy Lavender, MCC Chief Executive & Secretary, said, “We are delighted to now be able to recognise the same achievements for One-Day Internationals as we have done for Test Matches for many years. This is a landmark moment for Lord’s, with women’s cricket now documented in the dressing rooms for the first time.”

He added, “The Honours Boards are amongst the most popular attractions for the many visitors to the Home of Cricket. There is a huge amount of prestige for players to see their name inscribed in history, so it is appropriate for a new installation of the boards to take place ahead of what will be such a busy year of cricket at Lord’s.”