Rounders is being replaced by cricket at girls’ schools because the game is seen as more of a “leisure activity” than a sport, a leading headteacher has said.

While rounders is popular, it is not regarded as an “elite” sport because there is less of a trajectory for pupils once they leave school, according to Carol Chandler-Thompson, headmistress at Blackheath High School in south London.

“You can’t really represent your country in rounders in quite the way you can at cricket. Where does it lead?” she said.

“Rounders is a popular sport, a fun game, everyone can play a part in it. But it is more of a leisure activity than a sport in which there is a pathway that girls can really excel at, and be an elite player in.”