MCC announces free tickets for India ODI

England women return to Lord's this summer to face India - and entry will be free. The MCC took the decision to not charge for admission to the first one-dayer on 14th August in a bid to encourage a large attendance. They are also hoping that children will go along to watch, with the match being in the school holidays.

Charlotte Edwards, an MCC member herself, will lead England as they attempt to avenge their ODI series defeat in India this winter. The Lord's game is the first of three one-dayers which, as last year, are sandwiched between two Tests. There is also a Twenty20 curtain raiser at Derby, which kicks the series off on August 5th.

A letter from the MCC to its members suggested that the standard of women's cricket has improved since England first played at Lord's 30 years ago. "Some members may not have seen England play for some time, and others may not have seen them play at all, so it should be mentioned that women's cricket has continued to increase in strength and popularity over the years."