Emirates Old Trafford will host an historic T20 doubleheader tomorrow featuring Lancashire Lightning and headlined by our professional women’s team, Thunder Cricket.

It will be the first time in English county cricket that a regional women’s side has played in the main event slot, with Thunder hosting Southern Vipers under the floodlights at 7pm, as Lancashire Cricket commits to growing the women’s game and increasing its exposure in the North West.

Earlier in the day, Lancashire Lightning will face Derbyshire Falcons in the Vitality Blast North Group at 3pm as a precursor to the Charlotte Edwards Cup clash.

As part of the Change the Game campaign – and to celebrate a new partnership between Lancashire Cricket and Manchester United Women – members of the Red Devils’ women’s squad will attend Emirates Old Trafford to support Thunder. This comes after the Thunder squad visited Old Trafford football stadium to support Man United Women during their historic Women’s Super League fixture against Everton in March.

The ongoing partnership between Lancashire Cricket and Manchester United is aimed to highlight both Trafford-based Club’s continued commitment towards growing women’s football and cricket and changing perceptions and attitudes towards women in sport.

At 6pm – between the matches – the Club will also be hosting a Women in Sport and Business panel which will include professional athletes from teams in the North West, as well as leaders in business.

Speaking about the historic doubleheader, Thunder captain Ellie Threlkeld said: “We’re all really excited, it’s the first time it’s ever been done this way and to be able make history here at Emirates Old Trafford is brilliant. The girls and I are all looking forward to it.

“In the past, women’s matches have always been a curtain raiser for the men and, although that’s been great, it is really exciting for us to be in the main event slot this time around.

“Hopefully we will get some big crowds in, and it will be a really good day for everybody involved!”

Daniel Gidney, Chief Executive at Lancashire Cricket added: “This will be a first in county cricket in England as we see a regional women’s side play in the headline slot of a T20 double header.

“These are small decisions to make in the grand scheme of things, but equally, really important ones which continue to highlight the Club’s continued commitment towards leading the way in changing perceptions and attitudes towards the women’s game.”