Norma Jean Izard,

OBE The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

(née Preston; 9 September 1933 – 30 December 2023) was an English cricketer. She is the longest-serving manager, having managed the

England women's cricket team The England women's cricket team represents England and Wales in international women's cricket. Since 1998, they have been governed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), having been previously governed by the Women's Cricket Association ...

from 1984, in 12 international tours, before stepping down in 1993.

Early life

Izard was born in Beckenham, the only child of William and Olive Preston. Her father was a cricketer for Cornwall. She was educated at Beckenham Grammar School, and then attended Dartford College of Physical Education (now part of University of Greenwich).

Career

At seventeen Izard played for Kent, and the club, Kent Nomads. She then became a teacher of physical education. She was the manager of

between 1984 and 1993. Izard is the longest-serving senior England cricket manager, managing 12 international tours before stepping down, after England won the 1993 World Cup. Izard was one of the first ten women admitted to the MCC in 1999, as an honorary life member. She served as the last ever president of the Women's Cricket Association (WCA) from 1994 to 1998, overseeing the eventual merger with the

English Cricket Board The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the national governing body of cricket in England and Wales. It was formed on 1 January 1997 as a single governing body to combine the roles formerly fulfilled by the Test and County Cricket Board, t ...

(ECB).

Charity

Izard was a member of the Lady Taverners charity and a trustee of

Chance to Shine Chance to Shine is a charitable organisation in the UK. It was also a 10-year programme run by the charitable Cricket Foundation to encourage competitive cricket in state schools in the UK, running from 2004 to 2015. The Cricket Foundation was fo ...

Death

Izard died on 30 December 2023, at the age of 90.

Honours and awards

Izard was appointed an

Officer of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

(OBE) for services to women's cricket in the Queen's

1995 Birthday Honours The Queen's Birthday Honours 1995 were appointments by some of the 16 Commonwealth realms to various orders and honours to recognise and reward good works by citizens of those countries. The Birthday Honours are awarded as part of the Queen's Offi ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Izard, Norma 1933 births 2023 deaths Cricket managers Cricketers from the London Borough of Bromley People from Beckenham English women cricketers Officers of the Order of the British Empire