The 37-year-old was playing in just the eighth Test of her 17-year international career, a reminder of how few opportunities her generation has had in the longest format.

In the pre-match press conference, he reflected on what it meant to be present on the occasion: “It may be late, but not too late. I’m still playing and having the opportunity to be part of this historic day.”

History was also made in other ways. The first women to gain places on the famous Lord’s Boards of Honor were Indians.

On Saturday, 22-year-old bowler Kranti Gaud became the first woman on the bowling chart after taking five for 37 in England’s first innings. Gaud comes from Ghuwara, a small town in central India, and his mother once pawned her jewelry to buy one of his first cricket kits.

A day later, she was followed by Yastika Bhatia, the left-handed batsman from Vadodara, another small city in western India. Her confident 113, the first international century of her career, made her the first woman to score a Test hundred at Lord’s and put her on the batting chart.

However, in his own historic moment, Bhatia looked to those who made it possible.

“I think they [the pioneers of women’s cricket in India] I have made an invaluable contribution because Test Cricket is, as you said, [been going on for] 50 years,” Yastika said in the post-match press conference.

“Their contribution has inspired us to pursue cricket and perform as we do today, so their role is very crucial and they have laid the foundation,” he said.

She added that the pioneers of women’s cricket in India had not received the recognition they deserved.

“So now we should take a moment to thank them for their contribution and what they have done for Indian cricket, for world cricket, and inspired so many young cricketers,” Bhatia said.