This is W̶o̶m̶e̶n̶'̶s̶ cricket | The Final Word
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This episode of The Final Word Cricket Podcast celebrates the transformative growth of women's cricket, spotlighting a historic Women's Day at Lord's in 2026. Host Adam Collins and his team explore the day’s significance through interviews with trailblazers like Anakshi Rajvanshi, who made her MCC debut on the iconic ground, and Meg Lay, the first female ground staff member at Lord’s, highlighting how opportunities in cricket now extend far beyond playing. Esther De Lange, ICC Europe’s development lead, discusses the remarkable expansion of women’s cricket across Europe, with 12 nations represented in the ICC European XI. Tena Goff shares how MCC is expanding access through its women’s divisions, while Leigh Burns of Lacuna Sports reveals the launch of the 'This Is Women's Cricket' t-shirt campaign—symbolizing the game’s evolution from a marginalized category to simply 'cricket'. The episode culminates in a powerful vision of a future where girls like Peggy, the host’s daughter, grow up seeing cricket as a natural part of life, not a gendered exception.
Women’s cricket is no longer a niche—it’s now central to the sport’s identity, with events like Lord’s Women’s Day showcasing its mainstream presence.
The 'This Is Women's Cricket' t-shirt campaign by Lacuna symbolizes a cultural shift: women’s cricket is just cricket, and the distinction is becoming obsolete.
MCC is actively expanding access through its women’s divisions, with over 400 players across the UK and international tours, proving that cricket clubs can be inclusive and dynamic.
Europe’s women’s cricket is rapidly growing, with nations like Germany, Turkey, and Jersey emerging as serious contenders for World Cup qualification.
Proper, well-fitting kit—like that from Lacuna—removes a major barrier to entry, especially for new players, and fosters identity, confidence, and retention.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Launching the Women's Cricket Revolution at Lord's
“This is cricket. You don't say men's cricket, so why do you say women's cricket? It should be just cricket.”
Anakshi Rajvanshi’s Historic MCC Debut
“It took me two or three minutes to realize that I finally took a wicket which was at Lord's from the nursery.”
Meg Lay: The First Female Ground Staff at Lord’s
Meg Lay, the first woman to work on Lord’s ground staff, discusses her journey from a farm kid in New Zealand to a key figure in preparing pitches for international cricket. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive career paths and the unique challenges of crafting pitches for women’s test cricket.
Esther De Lange: The European Cricket Boom
“There’s a lot of ambition in a lot of different countries, so I think we’ll see some surprising outcomes in the years to come.”
Tena Goff: Growing the Game from the Ground Up
Tena Goff discusses MCC’s expanding women’s divisions, which now include over 400 players across the UK and beyond. She emphasizes the importance of inclusive access, community engagement, and pathways from state schools to elite cricket, with the Knight Stokes Cup as a key initiative.
“This is cricket. You don't say men's cricket, so why do you say women's cricket? It should be just cricket.”
“If you look out here, softball cricket in the country right now. You've got mums and daughters playing... Kit does make a difference for them to make them show up.”
“Peggy's not going to know that we needed to make this distinction because it will just be cricket for her.”
Host
Guests
Lord's
place
MCC
organization
Lacuna Sports
brand
Anakshi Rajvanshi
person
Esther De Lange
person
Tena Goff
person
Leigh Burns
person
Adam Collins
person
Women's T20 World Cup 2026
other
Meg Lay
person
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