THE inclusion of three women in Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year list was celebrated as “a really huge statement” yesterday, but the landmark announcement came with a note of caution.

Former England captain Clare Connor said the sport must “keep challenging itself to be better” as she acknowledged cricket is not immune from the sexism issues that have plagued politics, Hollywood and wider society.

Women for the first time dominate the five-player Wisden list, a long-standing male-dominated preserve, with World Cup winners Heather Knight, Natalie Sciver and Anya Shrubsole honoured. Only two women, Claire Taylor and Charlotte Edwards, had previously been included on the list since its 1889 inception.