The Press

Kiwi women Lord’s members

- Fairfax NZ

Eight players from New Zealand are among a sizeable group of women who have been made Honorary Life Members at the Home of Cricket.

Doing so ahead of their hosting of the World Cup final at Lord’s this weekend, the Marylebone Cricket Club on Wednesday (Thursday NZ time) announced 37 of the best women to play the game had accepted the offer of membership.

Made up of players from England, Australia, India and New Zealand, the groups careers spanned between 1954 and 2016. The eight Kiwi players to receive the honour were Catherine Campbell, Emily Drumm, Maia Lewis, Rebecca Rolls, Aimee Watkins, Trish McKelvey, Jill Saulbrey and the aptly-named Jackie Lord.

‘‘Never before has MCC awarded so many Honorary Life Membership­s at one time, and I am delighted that we are able to do so now in recognitio­n of 37 exceptiona­l cricketing careers,’’ MCC president Matthew Fleming said.

‘‘MCC’s relationsh­ip with women’s cricket has been brought sharply into focus with Lord’s hosting the ICC Women’s World Cup Final in the same year as the sad passing of one of the first female Honorary Life Members of the Club, Rachael Heyhoe Flint.’’

A hard-hitting batsman who played 88 internatio­nals for New Zealand, including 78 ODIs, Lewis said it was special to become an MCC life member as a Maori player. ‘‘It’s pretty special and was pretty much out of the blue,’’ she told Maori TV.

‘‘I just sort of got an email, and a letter in the post saying would you like to be an honorary member. I think it’s because I’ve been a past captain of the New Zealand women’s cricket team.’’

 ?? PHOTO: ?? Catherine Campbell has been named an honorary life member of the Marylebone Cricket Club in England.
PHOTO: Catherine Campbell has been named an honorary life member of the Marylebone Cricket Club in England.

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