https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/cricket-knight-stokes-cup-state-schools-lords"Heather Knight and Ben Stokes recorded video messages for pupils from Altrincham grammar school, John Hampden grammar school, Penistone grammar school and Chelmsford County high school before they competed in the boys? and girls? finals. The privileges did not stop there ? full use of the Pavilion dressing rooms, lunch and media duties made this a day to remember and inspire."
https://www.chelmsfordcityhub.co.uk/article/chelmsford-schoolgirls-history-cricket-victory-lords"Pupils from Chelmsford County High School for Girls have made history at the Home of Cricket after winning the inaugural girls' Knight-Stokes Cup at Lord's.
The Chelmsford school defeated Penistone Grammar School of Yorkshire in the girls' final on Thursday 10 September, earning the distinction of becoming the first girls' champions of the new national competition for state schools.
The final was played on the Main Ground at Lord's, giving the young cricketers the opportunity to compete on one of the most famous sporting grounds in the world.
Chelmsford County High reached the showpiece match after progressing through county, regional and national stages of the new competition.
Their reward was a 3pm final against Penistone Grammar School and a full Lord's playing experience.
Players were able to use the Pavilion dressing rooms, eat in the Players' Dining Room and take part in media duties as part of an occasion designed to give state-school cricketers the experience normally associated with the highest levels of the game.
Chelmsford player Alex Goodey told The Guardian that she had been waiting for the occasion throughout the summer and described experiencing what previous players at Lord's had experienced as "incredible".
