London, July 2: More than 50 years after making history, former England opener Lynne Thomas remains the first cricketer—male or female—to score a century in a Cricket World Cup.
Thomas achieved the feat during the inaugural Women’s Cricket World Cup in England in 1973, two years before the men’s tournament began. Opening alongside Enid Bakewell, she scored a century in the tournament’s first One-Day International, becoming the first player to reach three figures in World Cup history.
Remarkably, Thomas said she only discovered the significance of the milestone several years later when her niece found it in the Guinness Book of Records.
“We both scored centuries, but I got there first. They listed me as the first woman to score a World Cup century, but I was actually the first cricketer because the men’s World Cup hadn’t even started,” she recalled.
England, captained by the legendary Rachael Heyhoe Flint, went on to win the inaugural tournament, a triumph Thomas believes transformed perceptions of women’s cricket and brought the game unprecedented recognition.Unlike today’s professionals, players of that era had to finance much of their own careers. Thomas, who also represented Wales in international hockey, recalled saving for tours while juggling two sports.
In recognition of their pioneering contribution, Thomas and her 1973 World Cup-winning teammates have been honoured by the England and Wales Cricket Board. More than five decades on, she remains closely connected to the game and is expected to attend this year’s Women’s World Cup final at Lord’s, celebrating a legacy that helped shape the future of women’s cricket.Although her achievement is often overshadowed by the growth of the modern game, Thomas’ place in cricket history remains secure. As women’s cricket continues to scale new heights in popularity, professionalism and global reach, her pioneering century in 1973 stands as a reminder of the trailblazers who laid the foundations for future generations, ensuring her remarkable feat will always occupy a unique chapter in World Cup history. (Agencies)
