By Scarlett Elworthy

Born: 11, June 1939 Home town: Wolverhampton Playing highlights: 1966-77 England skipper; led England women to World Cup in 1973; hit first six in official women's Test match (against Australia at the Oval in 1963) Playing statistics: 22 Tests (1960-79), 1,594 runs, four centuries, 45.54 average Honours: MBE for services to cricket (1972) Other achievements: Also represented England at hockey; PR director at Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and sports journalist; president of Lady Taverners cricket charity

The ex-England women's captain was at the forefront of the push for the end of the club's men-only rule and in 1999 became one of its first female members.

Now the 65-year-old has broken another glass ceiling - becoming the first woman in the club's 217-year-long history to be voted into its inner sanctum.

But she told BBC Sport: "I firmly believe this is about cricket - not quotas."

In the past, the MCC has been accused of admitting women in a cynical bid to become eligible for National Lottery funding - single-sex set-ups do not qualify for Lottery money.

The 18-year waiting list for ordinary membership is also an obvious hurdle to balancing the gender books.

Five years after women first walked through the door of Lord's illustrious Long Room, just 252 of 22,000 MCC members are female.

But Heyhoe-Flint says critics have got it wrong.

"The reason for reform was simple - women are involved in all aspects of cricket these days and excluding them did not fit well with the MCC's responsibility for promoting the game," she said.

"Of course the waiting list means the process of integration will be a gradual one, though it has been made easier for women cricketers to join as playing members (of the women's MCC team). But we never wanted favours."

Over the years I have acquired a number of strings to my bow and all that has helped me develop a strong business sense and these days sport is big business Rachael Heyhoe-Flint

The MCC general committee has several core duties beyond raising cricket's profile, including guarding the game's Laws and safeguarding its 'spirit' and being caretaker of Lord's.

And the former batsman, who clocked up 51 appearances for England, believes she has a lot to bring to the table.

"I am not just someone who has played sport for their country," said Heyhoe-Flint, who is also PR director for her hometown football club Wolverhampton Wanderers, a qualified journalist and PE teacher.

"Over the years I have acquired a number of strings to my bow and that has helped me develop a strong business sense - and these days sport is big business."

Point taken - the current re-fit of the listed Lord's Pavilion is costing upwards of �8m.

She has also been quick to use her new-found position to call on Westminster to do more to develop cricket among young people.

"I would like to see the government put more staff and better sports facilities in schools.

"Until that happens there will always be a shortfall in the growth of team sports such as cricket in Britain and the counties will remain under pressure to bridge the gap," she said.

Lord's holds a special place in Heyhoe-Flint's heart.

Heyhoe-Flint (left) and Jackie Court celebrate joining the MCC in 1999

Fittingly, she captained England women on their Lord's debut - an eight-wicket win in a one-day international against Australia in August 1976.

There are many tasks to tackle but, as with all high-achievers, she is a driven personality with little desire for the quiet life.

"I am always looking to the future and trying to make things better. I've never seen the point in looking back.

"My husband says it is like being married to a whirlwind, but I love what I do."

However, she is a reluctant first lady of cricket.

"I must admit I am a bit embarrassed by that tag. I'm obviously very proud about everything that has happened to me, but that's it, things have just happened.

"I never had a grand plan. I hate the word feminist. I've just been lucky that my sporting background has given me great opportunities.

"It's just very rewarding to be able to give something back."