Raf Nicholson
@rafnicholson
Women’s cricket historian & journalist. Sports Journalism lecturer at Bournemouth University & writer for Guardian Sport. Vice Chair of The Cricket Society.
Delighted that, as of today, my book The Women in Whites is on sale in the @kiaoval.com shop. Let me know if you spot it in the wild!
Someone need to tell David Shepherd (senior lecturer at Portsmouth apparently) that this kind of valorisation of female athletes is incredibly patronising and unhelpful. From The Guardian: www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/a...
The scorecard now says that Elwiss didn’t bat at all. The runs don’t add up!
Darren Lehmann says the quiet bit out loud re ECB coach hiring practices. Rooney Rule? Transparency? Nah!
Put your hands together for today’s real winner: the chef who baked these stunning blueberry muffins at The Oval 👏 👏
A fascinating situation where Blaze appear to be better supported at The Oval on Finals Day than Surrey.
Let’s face it, we’re not going to get to tea today; but given that MCC have to make the cakes and scones anyway just in case, I’d be happy to take the job lot off their hands?
Just want to say, massive kudos to Charlotte Edwards for showing up at the portrait unveiling in the Long Room this morning. She had to literally dash off at the end, mitt in hand, to run outfield practice! She is amazing, isn’t she?
The famous steps out onto the hallowed turf… happy First Test Match at Lord’s Day!
Hello all! It’s Test match eve 🥳🥳 Just to say, I’ll be at Lord’s every day of the Test. If you want me to sign a copy of my book OR you want to buy a copy, drop me a message and I’ll happily come meet you. (Cash or card both fine!)
Just been for a circuit. Incredibly cool to see people flooding in through the Heyhoe Flint Gate! 🥳🥳
On the day of England's SF v South Africa, the British government are calling on the ICC to recognise the Afghanistan women's cricket team. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper: "International institutions need to stand in solidarity with Afghanistan's women." Over to you, ICC.
India are in the house! Here’s Renuka trying to sign autographs before being stopped by MCC security (to be fair I get it, there could have been a mob otherwise 😂)
HUGE day coming up. (Also the first time I’ve seen ticket touts outside St John’s Wood tube station since the 2017 final.)
At Lord’s for 🏴 v West Indies. Thankful for an air-conditioned press box.
In situ at Headingley for 🏴 v 🏴 Am told 10,000 fans are expected in for this one. Hoping for a humdinger, especially with NSB out on the sidelines.
Must say I'm surprised by the omission of Charlie Dean and Linsey Smith - there are clearly workload issues with some of these players, but not those 2, surely? The inclusion of Ellie Threlkeld indicates that Alice Capsey is NOT England's next wicketkeeper.
Also I've got my hands on a tournament programme, so here's a plug for my piece in it about the history of the World Cup. If you're going to a game, worth getting your hands on a copy.
Right - back at it for a double header! First up New Zealand v Sri Lanka. Essentially a must-win for the reigning champs.
It was great fun being involved in the BBC’s Bargain Hunt. Here are some behind the scenes pics from a very cold day at Taunton back in March, as some hardy Somerset members tried to pretend it was summer! 😁
Absolutely freezing here in Manchester, so Scotland will feel right at home 😁
Last night I launched The Women in Whites: A History of Women's Cricket in England into the world. It was wonderful to celebrate the book with so many people who care about the women's game. THANK YOU to everyone who came 💛 PS You can buy the book here - www.waterstones.com/book/the-wom...
Gearing up for a mad few weeks at the World Cup. Won’t somebody think of the journalists! 😁 @laurajolly.bsky.social @valkeriebaynes.bsky.social @syd-e13.bsky.social
Pre-series pep talk from Harmanpreet Kaur here at Chelmsford ahead of the first T20. Think there was a cap presentation as well.