About Friday... An absolute thrill and honour to be invited to ring the 5 minute bell at Lord’s during the men’s Eng v SA Test. It felt significant to do it just a couple of days after the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Gates were opened, given everything Rachael did for the admittance of women at MCC. Back at the 2001 Men’s Ashes, when I was about to do my PgDip to qualify as a broadcast journalist, I was at Lord’s running drinks for the camera crew, producers, and legendary commentators such as Richie Benaud. I had always listened to Elly Oldroyd roving reporting for TMS, and watched Sybil Ruscoe present the C4 Cricket Roadshow, but only Donna Symmonds from Barbados had appeared as a guest overseas commentator with TMS, doing ball by ball at various matches 98-00. There were no women as regular members of the commentary teams on either radio or TV in the UK. Six years later, I was doing my first international commentary for Test Match Special. And somehow now still going! Thank you @tmsproducer for trusting me with those early opportunities. There is such a strong cohort of women in cricket comm boxes around the world now. And so much more cricket, streaming etc, for all budding commentators to cut their teeth on. I’ve absolutely adored extending the commentary skill to other sports and events too over the years. It was super special to share Friday with the most important people in my world - my parents, brother, and young niece & nephew. The kids had the best day ever thanks in no small part to every single person who made a fuss of them. You know who you are! ❤️ And the ground’s military stewards and St John’s first aiders were absolutely fantastic when my mum needed some help. She’s doing ok, total trooper. People were so kind to her. Thank you if you were one of them. And thank you @dudleyplatypus for this pic!