History at Lord’s: England and India set for ground's first-ever women’s test match

London: Lord's will finally stage its first women's Test match, 142 years after hosting its inaugural men's match format, when England take on India in a four-day contest at the 'Home of Cricket' beginning Friday.

"It just boggles my mind that it is just the first (women's) Test match here at Lord's," said India coach Amol Muzumdar. He added, "It is a great occasion, and we are looking forward to it."

The historic encounter takes place just over half a century after the renowned London ground staged its first women's match of any description, when England secured an eight-wicket victory over Australia in a one-day international on 4 August 1976.

England’s captain on that occasion was the late Rachael Heyhoe Flint, a pioneer of the women's game during an era when competitors still wore skirts rather than the white or coloured trousers utilised today. Heyhoe Flint, who passed away in 2017, now has a gate at Lord's dedicated to her memory.

However, back in 1976, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which owns the ground, was still decades away from allowing women to join as members. The prospect of female players walking directly through the pavilion's historic Long Room to take the field remained a remote concept.

Megan Lear, who batted at number five for England that day, likened the event to the moon landing. "On that day in 1976, to walk on to the hallowed turf at Lord's, it was like one small step for us women cricketers, but one giant leap towards the future of women's cricket," Lear told the Guardian.

Highlighting the sport's evolution from its amateur roots, the Test between the two professional teams marks England's second appearance at Lord's in less than a week. It follows Sunday's defeat by Australia in the women's T20 World Cup final, which was played before a sell-out crowd.

Nine members of England’s World Cup squad have been selected for the Test, including captain Nat Sciver-Brunt, who is "hoping to play" despite a persistent calf strain.

'History in the Making'

"We've always known this has been on the calendar," said England coach Charlotte Edwards.

"A lot of our players have been doing Test match prep throughout the T20s so we're really looking forward to it," added Edwards, who captained England to victory in the 2009 Women's T20 World Cup final at Lord's. "It's a historic Test match for us as a group and for the Indian team, and we can't wait to play in front of a lot of people again over the next four days."

Teenage English spinner Tilly Corteen-Colman acknowledged the significance of the upcoming match.

"I remember speaking to Lottie (Edwards) about when she used to play here, and they weren't allowed in the Long Room," the 18-year-old said. "The first women's Test at Lord's is history in the making, so to be involved would be incredible. It would mean the absolute world."

Beyond its historical milestones, the fixture will serve as the final international match for England batter Tammy Beaumont, who is retiring from the world stage.

Beaumont has accumulated 260 appearances for England since making her debut 17 years ago. She became the first English woman to hit a double century in a Test match, scoring 208 against Australia at Trent Bridge in 2023.

"When I fell in love with playing cricket as a young girl, I barely knew that playing cricket for England was an option," Beaumont remarked.

The 35-year-old, who intends to continue playing domestic cricket, added: "Our first ever women's Test at Lord's feels like the perfect occasion to sign off on a career that I could never have dreamt would be as special as it has been."

With inputs from AFP