MCC has announced that Lord’s will host its first women’s Test match in 2026, exactly 50 years since Rachael Heyhoe Flint first led out an England Women’s team at the Ground. Today’s news came as part of the announcement of a packed men’s and women’s season at the Home of Cricket in 2025.
Fresh from welcoming a new record crowd for a women’s The Hundred game at Lord’s in Sunday’s final, and England’s bilateral attendance record for a home women’s fixture against Australia last year, MCC is thrilled to be awarded a women’s Test in what will be a landmark moment for the Club and Ground.
England Women have played white-ball matches at the Ground for the past three years, with another scheduled next year, but it will be the first time Lord’s has hosted a Women’s Test match.
Guy Lavender, Chief Executive & Secretary of MCC, said: “We are thrilled that for the first time, Lord’s will stage a women’s Test match. Women’s cricket is one of the fastest growing sports worldwide and the Club is proud to support this growth.
From being one of the first clubs to invest in a Head of Women’s Cricket role in 2017, to honouring the birthplace of the Women’s Ashes in a formal plaque ceremony in the Harris Garden in 2023, championing and supporting the advancement of women’s and girls’ cricket is a priority for MCC.”
Richard Gould, ECB Chief Executive Officer, said: “I’m delighted we can confirm that India Women will take on England Women in the first ever women’s Test match at Lord’s. It will be a truly special occasion, and one of real significance for the game.”
Claire Taylor, Chair of MCC Cricket committee and England great said: “I played 15 Tests for England during my career but none of those were at Lord’s, so I’m delighted at this news and most importantly for the players who’ll make history playing in this fixture in 2026. Young girls playing up and down the country can now aspire to play Test match cricket at the Home of Cricket. It is a clear demonstration that cricket is a game for all.”
With thanks to the MCC
