Rachael Heyhoe-Flint has died at the age of 77 ©Getty Images

International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive David Richardson has hailed Rachael Heyhoe-Flint as a “genuine trailblazer in our sport” following the former England women’s captain’s death at the age of 77.

Baroness Heyhoe-Flint, who became a life peer in 2011, made her test debut for England against South Africa in 1960 and her international career spanned 22-years, ending with a One Day International (ODI) against Australia in 1982.

The batter scored 1,594 runs in 22 Test matches, including three centuries, while she also achieved 643 runs in 23 ODIs.

Heyhoe-Flint would captain the England team for a 12-year period from 1966, which included winning the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1973.

Her role in establishing the tournament was praised by Richardson, who extended the ICC’s condolences to Heyhoe-Flint’s family.

“This is a big loss for cricket,” he said.

“Rachael played international cricket for over two decades with so much success and personality that she is understandably the most famous name in women’s cricket.

“Her achievements both as captain and player are well documented but her contributions stretched far beyond the cricket field.

Rachael Heyhoe-Flint captained England in the first women's match to be played at Lord's ©Getty Images
Rachael Heyhoe-Flint captained England in the first women's match to be played at Lord's ©Getty Images

“Rachael was instrumental in organising the first Women’s World Cup in 1973 and also went on to lead her team to victory in the tournament.

“One should remember that men’s cricket introduced its own World Cup only two years later.”

Tributes also came from another former England women's captain Clare Connor, who is currently the England and Wales Cricket Board's director of women's cricket.

"This is overwhelmingly sudden and sad news," said Connor, who played 16 Tests and 93 ODIs.

"It is hard to find the words to fully pay tribute to Rachael. 

"She was so special, so ever-present and now she has gone – but her impact can never be forgotten."

Off the cricket pitch, Heyhoe-Flint was the first woman to be inducted into the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 2004, and also served on the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Heyhoe-Flint was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame back in 2010, becoming the first woman to achieve the honour.

As well as her achievements in cricket, Heyhoe-Flint played as a goalkeeper for the national hockey team and would also have a spell as vice-president of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club.