Warwickshire County Cricket Club is deeply saddened by today’s news that Baroness Rachael Heyhoe-Flint has passed away aged 77.
Born in Wolverhampton in 1939, Baroness Heyhoe-Flint enjoyed a 23-year international career during which she won 22 Test match and 23 One-Day International caps for England Women.
During this time she played a key role in organising the first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in 1973, where she led England to victory. England Women were unbeaten in six series under her captaincy and she also led the national team in the first Women’s Test match to be played at Lord’s in the 1976 Ashes Series.
Off the field, Baroness Heyhoe-Flint became one of the first female directors of the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB), was one of the first female MCC members and she was the first woman to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. She also served as President of the Lady Taverners between 2001 and 2011.
Norman Gascoigne, Chairman of Warwickshire CCC, said: “Rachael was one of the most influential figures in the development of the women’s game as a player, director and ambassador, but she was also a very close friend of the club who will be sadly missed by Warwickshire CCC staff, members and supporters.
“In addition to being a regular visitor to Edgbaston with the ECB and the Lord’s Taverners, she was also a keen supporter of the Warwickshire Old County Cricketer’s Association (WOCCA) with her husband Derrick, who represented the Bears from 1948-1949.
“It was a great pleasure to have spent time with Rachael and our thoughts are very much with Derrick and the family at this time.”
