A female cricket umpire who has proved more than a match for her male counterparts has won a national award.

Lorraine Elgar was presented with a NatWest Outstanding Service to Cricket Award (OSCA) in front of a star-studded audience, including former England captains Andrew Strauss and Michael Vaughan, at Lord’s last Monday.

The mum-of-three, from Park Drive, Sittingbourne, was picked from a shortlist of three to win the Officiating – Umpires and Scorers category.

She said: “It was totally overwhelming. I didn’t think I would win.”

Lorraine, 52, who was accompanied to the ceremony by her husband, David, was nominated for the England and Wales Cricket Board gong by Swale Council’s sports development officer James Thatcher.

The award was recognition for a passion for the game which goes back to her childhood when she went to matches with her father, who played for the Army and Teynham and Lynsted.

Lorraine, a former Highsted pupil, became the club’s scorer and secretary, because “she was the one with a typewriter”, she said.

Her first taste of umpiring came about by chance. “One day the umpire didn’t turn up because he had gout. They threw me in and I haven’t looked back since.”

Her umpiring highlights include officiating England’s women versus Australia in a one-day international at Lord’s in 1998.

She was also in charge of the first Twenty20 international ever held in this country, which was between the same teams.

Lorraine has also become heavily involved with disability and visually impaired cricket.

She said: “I think it’s great to see so many people being able to participate in the sport we know and love. It’s so inclusive and it’s just fantastic.”

She also trains umpires and encourages other women to follow in her footsteps and take up officiating roles which are still dominated by men.

“I’m currently heading up a group to increase female participation in umpiring and scoring.

"It’s a great game - I am in charge of 22 young, fit men every weekend.

“If anyone is interested at all, the best seat in the house is out in the middle.”

Anyone who wants to find out more about officiating should send an email to saira.baker@ecb.co.uk.