Cricket reunion raises charity cash in memory of Rachael Heyhoe Flint

Maggie Leath, who played alongside the former England cricket captain for more than 20 years, helped organise the event.

Ninety people attended the reunion at Wolverhampton Cricket Club on Saturday, which saw cash raised for the Birch Thompson Memorial Fund.

Baroness Heyhoe Flint, who was also vice-president of Wolves, had supported the cause. Mrs Leath, aged 67, said: “When I was organising it everybody I asked wanted to come, nobody said no.

"That says it all about the kind of person Rachael was. Of the assembled cricketers we had two ex-full England players, lots of young England cricketers and county cricketers.

“A number of us played cricket with Rachael. Those who didn’t play with her all know how much she did for the game.

“I don’t think the women’s game would be where it is now without her.”

Baroness Heyhoe Flint, who died aged 77 in January, was Mrs Leath’s idol in her early cricketing days – and later became a friend.

She said: “I moved down here in 1972 specifically to play with Rachael – I wanted to join the club where she was.”

The idea for the event came when only three of Baroness Heyhoe Flint’s former team-mates from the club were able to attend her funeral.

This sparked the plan of a reunion of ex-players to celebrate her contribution to Wolverhampton Ladies CC and women’s cricket. Around 60 ex-players travelled from across the UK to attend.