Somerset County Cricket Club proudly announced that Sophie Luff, a top-order batter from Taunton, has signed a three-year contract with the Club. The 30-year-old becomes the first player to join Somerset’s new women’s tier 1 team, set to compete in 2025.
Having progressed through the Somerset age groups, Sophie made her debut for the Somerset women in 2009. She has since played 74 List A matches for the Club, amassing 2330 runs at an impressive average of 43.14, with the highest score of 138 not out. In addition, she has featured in 68 T20 matches, scoring 1675 runs at an average of 35.63. Between 2017 and 2022, she also captained the team.
Sophie, who previously represented England Academy, Development, and Under 19 teams, has been a key player for Western Storm since its inception in 2016, taking on the captaincy in 2020. She is the first player to have reached 100 appearances for Storm, scoring over 1760 runs in List A cricket at an average of 50.54, with the highest score of 157 not out. Her T20 record for Storm includes over 850 runs across 54 innings, with the best of 78 and an average of 25.90.
In addition to her success with Western Storm, Sophie has played for Welsh Fire, London Spirit, and Southern Brave in The Hundred.
Upon signing the deal, Sophie expressed her excitement: “I’m absolutely delighted to have signed for Somerset. This is a childhood dream of mine and one that I never thought would be possible. Somerset is a Club that I’ve been associated with since I was 12, so I’ve got a real affiliation with what is a really special club. It’s a full circle moment and that’s really special for me and my family.
“I grew up watching the likes of Marcus Trescothick at Taunton and wanting to emulate those players. The fact that young girls can now grow up aspiring to be female role models who have come through the Somerset Academy is great. It hasn’t really sunk in that girls will potentially be looking up to us. We have a real platform now to show them that cricket is a viable career option.
“I’m really grateful to everyone involved with Western Storm for giving me the opportunities that I’ve had since 2016. To have been able to captain a side that represents the region means a tremendous amount. I’ve loved every minute of the last nine seasons and I’m looking forward to the challenge that the future holds.”
Somerset CEO, Jamie Cox, praised Sophie’s contributions, saying: “Sophie Luff is a player who has become synonymous with Somerset cricket over the years. She has already captained her County, and as skipper of Western Storm and Welsh Fire, she has become one of the most respected domestic players within the game.
“She has incredible drive and determination to succeed, and her work ethic is second to none. She is an inspiration to her teammates and to young girls wishing to carve out a career for themselves in the game.
“Her passion for cricket, this region, and this Club knows no bounds, and it is extremely fitting that a player with such authentically strong ties to the game within the County becomes an inaugural signing for Somerset Women.”
Somerset County Cricket Club is one of eight teams confirmed for the new Women’s Tier 1 competition starting in 2025. This move marks a big step for women’s cricket in England and Wales, as Tier 1 teams will be fully professional, competing at the top level. Other teams in this first group include Durham, Essex, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Surrey, and Warwickshire.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) plans to add Glamorgan and Yorkshire by 2027, aiming to expand to 12 teams by 2029. This will create more opportunities for female players, with increased funding and support to grow the sport and develop talent.