Lord's, caps .... and mankads!
The last women’s ODI of the season took place at Lords on Saturday 24 September. England and India produced an 'exciting' (!) finish. And, a number of former Twickenham players weren't just in attendance to watch the game, they also found themselves on the field during the interval receiving long overdue Middlesex caps.

Originally planned for 2020 but pushed back to 2022 on account of Covid, Saturday saw 50 county caps presented to former Middlesex Players. Two former Twickenham women’s captains (Charlotte Gallagher and Kat Dickens) were honoured alongside Carol Bryant (scorer extraordinare, including for England Women when they last played India at Lord's in the 2017 World Cup final) plus former players Val Castle and Penny Thane-Woodhams.

Three other notable names associated with the women's team (in their previous guise as Riverside CC) also received their Middlesex caps; Sue Everitt, Ros Heggs and Lisa Nye. Both Ros and Lisa are featured on the honours board inside the Allen Stand such were their achievements for the county. Janet Bitmead, the legendary secretary of the TCC women's section, was also awarded a County cap in recognition for her contribution to Middlesex cricket.

Everyone involved agreed that it was a really enjoyable day. Former players caught up with each other, received their caps and enjoyed a glass of champagne all at the hallowed ground we know as Lord's.

Let's not spend too much discussing the incident that saw India win the game. It wasn't, for the Twickenham posse at least, a day for discussing the rights and wrongs of Mankads!