MCC deny opposing to Rachael Heyhoe Flint tribute at Lord's

Chief executive Guy Lavender says discussions are underway regarding ways to mark her achievements, after criticism from England captain Heather Knight

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Marylebone Cricket Club have quashed suggestions they are against plans to create a permanent tribute to Rachael Heyhoe Flint at Lord's, following criticism from England captain Heather Knight.

The Times quoted members who were against the proposal put forward by Claire Connor, who will become the first female MCC president later in 2021.

Heyhoe Flint is among the most significant figures in English cricket history, establishing the first Cricket World Cup in 1973 and helping to secure the first batch of ECB central contracts.

The 22-time England Test player had the women's 50-over competition named after her last year and her portrait hangs above the entrance to the Lord's long room.

Connor's desire for a more fitting and public tribute received opposition following an online forum meeting this week.

Cricket author and member Mark Peel labelled it "gesture politics" and Robert Griffiths QC said any such "statue or gate has to be named on merit".

Come on MCC move with the times. Women’s cricket in England owes everything to Rachael and she invented the World Cup, without even mentioning her playing career #GetRachaelAStatue https://t.co/riQrCzmJ8t

— Heather Knight (@Heatherknight55) May 6, 2021

Knight posted the article questioning the move on Twitter with the caption "come on MCC move with the times".

Chief executive Guy Lavender says discussions regarding a fitting tribute are underway and has rubbished suggestions there is any objection to such a move.

"The club has been considering further ways to commemorate Rachael’s considerable achievements and when we emerge from the worst of the pandemic, we will be looking at how we honour Rachael’s legacy as part of our wider strategy to advance women’s and girls’ cricket," he said in a statement released by MCC, who only started permitting female members from 1999.

"I have had no sense of opposition to this intent, indeed the notion that there is a revolt at Lord’s is highly misleading with no such challenge raised across our club committees, or by the broader membership who recognise Rachael’s contribution to the game of cricket as a whole."

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