“We want to spotlight a few of the incredible women"
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) unveiled 53 purple seats at Edgbaston ahead of the opening ICC Women’s T20 World Cup match on June 12.
The initiative marks 53 years since the inaugural Women’s Cricket World Cup was held in England in 1973.
Each seat honours a woman whose contribution has helped grow the game, from former players and broadcasters to coaches, volunteers and community leaders.
Among those recognised are members of England’s 1973 World Cup-winning team, broadcaster Nikki Kapoor-Chaudhuri, former England cricketer and commentator Isa Guha MBE, and trailblazers including Clare Connor CBE and Meg Lay, the first female groundskeeper at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
The campaign also highlights women creating opportunities for the next generation.
Those recognised include Dr Carol Brown-Leonardi and Mehwish Babar, who have worked to expand access to cricket for girls and young women.
The ECB said the number 53 was chosen because of its historical significance, but stressed the campaign is intended to celebrate women from all backgrounds and encourage greater involvement in cricket, whether through playing, volunteering or working within the sport.
Installed for the duration of the tournament, the purple seats serve as a visible tribute to women whose contributions often take place behind the scenes.
Inspired by the colour associated with the Suffragette movement, the seats recognise coaches, officials, broadcasters, organisers, volunteers and changemakers who continue to drive the game forward.
Each seat carries a different name and includes a QR code linking supporters to the individual’s story, turning Edgbaston into what the ECB describes as a living storytelling space during the tournament.
One of the seats honours Cardiff-based coach Ayesha Rauf, who has worked to increase South Asian representation in cricket across Wales.
She built the women and girls pathway at Llandaff Cricket Club from the ground up and has focused on creating opportunities for more women and girls to enter the sport.
On seeing her purple seat at Edgbaston, she said: “It feels a bit emotional actually.
“It makes me feel like everything I do is making a difference, because I can see my name on the purple seat and it reminds me that I have and I am making a difference, and I’m being recognised for that as well.
“Growing up in London then moving to Wales, I rarely saw women who looked like me involved in the game.”
“The absence made me reflect on where I fit in the sport and more importantly, how I could help change that for others coming through.
“Being visible in this role matters and I take pride in contributing to a more diverse and welcoming game.”
Launching the campaign, Kate Aldridge, Director of Business Operations and Equity, Diversity & Inclusion at the ECB, said the Women’s T20 World Cup offered an opportunity to celebrate the people helping transform the sport.
She said: “The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is set to be a brilliant celebration of our sport but it also provides an important platform to change perceptions and shift visibility.
“Through The 53 we are placing women’s stories, contributions and impact directly at the heart of one of the great stadiums of our sport.
“We want to spotlight a few of the incredible women across England and Wales who are thriving in the game, opening up access and being role models for the next generation.
“By giving these stories a platform, we hope people are inspired to get involved in the game across all roles and at every level.
“As we welcome the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup back to England and Wales, we’re proud to celebrate not just elite performance, but the dedication, passion and contributions of women who make up our game.”
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