Imagine if you had been watching Test cricket, in person, for 66 years. You’d have seen Mankad taking on Trueman and Laker, Compton and Edrich in their golden summer, and Lindwall and Miller showing off their sublime skills. You’d have watched the typhoon Tyson, the stoic Cowdrey, Dexter and May, the genius of Sobers and the great Indian spinners. You’d have witnessed those great classic batsmen, Richards, Gower and Cook scoring centuries. You’d have seen Hadlee, McGrath, Warne and Anderson steaming in.

The Queen lived for 96 years and reigned over seven decades, attending thousands of political, cultural and sporting events. Among them were 44 cricket matches, from back-country festivals in southern Australia to World Cup finals and, of course, many Test matches at Lord’s. She saw all those great players. She watched the great teams, and witnessed the great moments.

Under her gaze are the famous Englishmen of the 50s, piling on the runs and dominating with spin in perfect home conditions. Here are the controversies of the 60s: the throwing debate, the lethal pitch at Lord’s, the banishment of the South African team. Here are the snarling Australians of the 70s, bouncing and bruising their way to the Ashes with Lillee and Thomson unleashed. Here are the wondrous West Indians of the 80s, sweeping all before them.

The Queen witnessed it all – and you can relive every moment as she saw it.

About the author: Kit Harris is the assistant editor of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack and a county
cricket commentator for the BBC. He has been hopelessly in love with cricket since 1991