The England and Wales Cricket Board has today paid tribute to Sir Jack Hayward, who died at the age of 91 on Tuesday.
A businessman, philanthropist and former owner of Wolverhampton Football Club, Hayward financed tours to the West Indies by the England women’s cricket team in 1969/70 and 1970/71, and in 1973 sponsored the first ever women’s cricket World Cup - two years before the first World Cup in the men’s game.
ECB Head of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Sir Jack Hayward on Tuesday.
"Sir Jack was a true philanthropist and will be remembered as a dear friend to women’s cricket.
"Through a close friendship with Rachael Heyhoe-Flint, Sir Jack financially supported two overseas tours of the West Indies by the England women's team in the late sixties and early seventies.
"Then came his most generous act of sponsoring the first ever women's cricket World Cup in 1973.
"In this regard, Sir Jack was a remarkable pioneer and we all owe a huge debt to his vision and generous spirit.”