Young girls from Pickwick Cricket Club were handed a one in a lifetime opportunity to play their part in Edgbaston’s delivery of the Women’s Ashes in 2023.
The Women’s Ashes was a spectacle for all that attended and tuned in across the world last summer. For one local club, this went one step further with the exclusive opportunity to welcome world-class players onto the field at Edgbaston for the first IT20 of the series as part of the guard of honour.
Being able to share the pitch with some of their heroes is something they will talk about amongst their teammates, friends and family for years to come.
2023 was the inaugural year for Pickwick CC’s women and girls’ section, the response was popular with over sixty females signing up to become members at the club. Working closely with the Warwickshire Cricket Foundation, Pickwick have been able to provide coaching to these members alongside giving a small number this money-can’t-buy experience last July.
The experience provided the twelve girls with a deeper connection to cricket and pushed them to gain the confidence to walk out in front of 19,000 spectators but also the thousands that tuned in at home.
Asif Aziz from Pickwick CC expressed the importance of the skills the girls developed while being involved. The girls had to work alongside TV and events teams with specific schedules, meaning the girls were exposed to how the behind the scenes of how an international matchday works.
Summing up the experience Aziz recounts the emotion the girls showed during the experience. “There was a real feeling of nerves and anticipation amongst them as the teams got ready to come out. This soon changed to excitement as both teams ran out. It was an amazing occasion.”
Warwickshire Cricket Foundation’s Women’s and Girls’ Development Officer, Gabby Basketter added: “Providing opportunities for local clubs to be part of an international matchday is a great opportunity for us, especially with the growth of the women and girls game.
“Giving the young people we work with these experiences is important to us as they may not get these opportunities elsewhere and creates memories they will cherish.
“Pickwick Cricket Club thoroughly deserved this opportunity for their outstanding work providing free cricket in their first season to all women and girls joining the club and making massive strides in engaging South Asian females to play cricket.”
Early Bird tickets for England Women v India
England Women return to Edgbaston for a third year in a row in 2025 for a heavyweight clash against India on Saturday 12 July (6.35pm start).
Two of the world’s best sides in Birmingham. Save from £5 per ticket with Early Bird tickets which are available now from only £19, with under 16s £5. Over 6,000 tickets have already been sold.
