Playing at Lord's is a claim to fame in any amateur cricketer's book - but Bradford's June Stephenson can do better than that.

In fact, the 64-year-old will always have a special place in the history books of the home of cricket.

She became the first woman to take a wicket at the ground when she played for England against Australia in 1976.

That eight-wicket win for the hosts was the first time the fairer sex were invited to compete at England's headquarters and, now that Stephenson has officially retired, remains the highlight of a distinguished career spanning over 40 years.

Not surprisingly, the 60-over match was the focus of national media attention at a venue that would not permit female members for another 23 years.

When skipper Rachael Heyhoe-Flint threw the new ball to Stephenson on that historic morning, the Bradford Ladies Cricket Club player admitted her first reaction was one of shock.

She recalled: "I didn't know that I was going to open the bowling. When Rachael told me as we were going down the steps, I thought, Oh heck!'"

But with only her second delivery, she dismissed Lorraine Hill, an opener that England had always struggled to get out.

"It was a rubbish ball that went down the leg side but she just got a nick on it," said Stephenson modestly.

"The whole occasion was a bit surreal. If I'd experienced it again, I would have taken more of it in."

The Clayton resident had made her Test debut ten years earlier at Scarborough against New Zealand when she bowled 38 overs for a miserly 38 runs, taking four wickets.

She went on to play 12 Tests for her country, averaging 26.53 with the bat and 30.72 runs apiece for her wickets.

Her all-round ability saw her called up for the one-day team and she was part of the side that won the first-ever World Cup in 1973.

She played in the final against Australia at Edgbaston, when she received a winners' medal from Princess Anne.

Her international career saw her tour Australia and New Zealand and play at grounds such as the WACCA in Perth and the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

Stephenson, nee Moorhouse, also captained Yorkshire and was a permanent fixture in the county team until 1982.

Her love for the game meant she carried on playing for Bradford Ladies long after most of her peers had retired.

The Thornton-based club was where she first began her career in the women's game, ironically after a picture in the T&A caught her eye.

"I'd always played from as long as I can remember, starting with the boys' team at St Stephen's School in West Bowling," said Stephenson.

"I didn't realise that women played cricket until I was 19 and saw a picture of a ladies' game in the T&A."

She joined the club as a result and was playing for Yorkshire within a year.

Following the news of her recent retirement, Bradford Ladies secretary Anne Miller said: "Much of the time, she was head and shoulders above the rest of the players on the field but was always a supportive and encouraging presence, regardless of her team-mates' ability.

"She will be impossible to replace in the team, as her kind of all-round talent comes along rarely, but I'm sure she'll still be a big part of the club and will give her support in other ways.

"I suspect we might still see her with bat or ball in hand on occasions."

That last prediction has proved to be true as Stephenson recently turned out for the second team because numbers were short.

The club, now captained by Yorkshire and England off-spinner Helen Wardlaw, are keen to attract new players. Anyone interested can contact Anne Miller on 01535-644552.