On a day of firsts, 336 ended up being the magic number.
Sophie Ecclestone took some time to make her mark on the historic occasion, the first women’s Test at Lord’s, but it was worth the wait as the wicket of Sayali Satghare in the 73rd over of the day took her to the top of England’s wicket-taking charts across all three formats.
She surpassed fiery fast bowler Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s 335 and figures of 3-68 took her to third on the all-time list across sides behind India’s Deepti Sharma, also playing in this match, and her compatriot Jhulan Goswami.
It helped England bowl India out for 285, before they lost Tammy Beaumont in reply to close on 21-1.
Though the day was about more than just records, as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) took the chance to honour those who paved the way in the amateur era, before women were even allowed to be MCC members – let alone dream of gracing the hallowed turf in whites.
Former players including Enid Bakewell – named in 2014 as one of Wisden’s all-time greatest women’s cricketers – and World Cup winning bowler Anya Shrubsole were in attendance, emotionally ringing the bell on the outfield before play on a day that has arguably come too late, but that did not take away from its significance.
“This morning was really wholesome,” World Cup winner Alex Hartley told BBC Test Match Special, having been included in the celebrations.
“It was so lovely to see all the past players. It was a beautiful day and it’s great for the ECB to recognise those players who paved the way.”
It was therefore fitting that it was Ecclestone of all players who took the headlines, the teenage prodigy turned attack leader who has known nothing but professionalism in her career, making this the new norm.
We have become so accustomed to seeing her twirling her left-arm spin like a metronome, picking up wickets for fun, that it is easy to forget she is still only 27 years old.
Alongside Deepti, also only 28, it feels like the pair are in a tight race to become the first woman to take 400 internationals across formats.
“It’s pretty special, it’s been a big 10 years,” Ecclestone, who made her debut in 2016, told BBC Test Match Special.
“I would’ve never dreamt of anything like this. I’ve got no words, just buzzing it happened.
“Walking out of the Long Room with the ex-players there – yeah, once in a lifetime day.”
