The announcement of full-time domestic contracts to 41 female players as part of the ECB’s new regional set-up comes as a welcome move for women’s cricket in the country.
With this, the total number of professional women’s cricketers in England and Wales moves up to 58. In June this year, 25 players signed regional retainers. In addition, 16 players have now been added to the list of contracted professionals, alongside 17 centrally contracted English players.
The recruitment process was driven by the eight regions and their respective Regional Directors of Women’s Cricket.
THIS IS HUGE 😃
41 Players now have Full-Time Domestic Contracts in England. 😍
In June, 25 players signed regional retainers. Today’s announcement adds a further 16 players to the list of contracted professionals and confirms that all 41 have progressed on to full-time terms. pic.twitter.com/dOGBNyjgYq
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 3, 2020
Following the announcement, Regional Director of Women’s Cricket, Lisa Pagett said: “I’m really proud to be able to award not five, but six full-time professional contracts to Storm players in this highly exciting new chapter. All of the players thoroughly deserve their contracts, and the opportunity to train full time will go a very long way to ensuring that this group of players have every chance of fulfilling their potential. We are extremely lucky that we have so many partners who want to see Western Storm thrive, and I would like to extend a particularly big ‘thank you’ to Glamorgan County Cricket Club whose instrumental support has enabled us to award an additional sixth professional contract”
Western Storm Head Coach, Mark O’Leary is pleased to have secured the services of these six highly rated players. “It’s fantastic news for us,” he said. “It’s wonderful to have six full-time professional cricketers flying the flag for Western Storm. They were outstanding for us this season and they thoroughly deserve these contracts. Their dedication and drive was there for all to see and I have no doubt that we will be seeing more of the same in 2021.”
Regional domestic contracts for the Players:
Central Sparks: Emily Arlott, Gwenan Davies, Evelyn Jones, Marie Kelly, Issy Wong.
Lightning: Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Bethan Ellis, Abbey Freeborn, Lucy Higham.
Northern Diamonds: Hollie Armitage, Phoebe Graham, Jenny Gunn, Beth Langston, Linsey Smith.
South East Stars: Aylish Cranstone, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sophia Dunkley, Tash Farrant, Bryony Smith.
Southern Vipers: Georgia Adams, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Tara Norris, Paige Scholfield.
Sunrisers: Amara Carr, Kelly Castle, Naomi Dattani, Jo Gardner, Cordelia Griffith.
Thunder: Georgie Boyce, Alex Hartley, Hannah Jones, Emma Lamb, Ellie Threlkeld.
Western Storm: Dani Gibson, Alex Griffiths, Georgia Hennessy, Sophie Luff, Fi Morris, Nat Wraith.
I am a former cricketer having represented Mumbai University at All India University level. I was a part of MCA probables for the U-19 and U-23 age group. I have been an avid cricket writer for the last five years. Currently I am pursuing my Ph.D from IIT Bombay.
