On October 29, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the sixth professional contract for women cricketers playing at the domestic level. Two teams, namely, Northern Diamonds and Thunder have agreed to fund additional contracts. With this, the total number of professional players in the women’s regional structure will increase from 41 to 51. Apart from these 51 contracted players, there are 16 other women players, who are professional cricketers in England and Wales. At present, the total contracted women players in England and Wales is 67.
Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, said: “It’s absolutely fundamental to the future of women’s and girls’ cricket in England and Wales that we’re able to continue increasing the depth of our regional game by offering more professional contracts to our players. We cannot overstate the impact that a new professional structure is having on our game. We’ve already seen the positive impact it has had on players’ performances in a relatively short space of time. The players are thriving, raising standards across the game and deepening the potential talent pool for England Women. Just as important is the visibility of these players, showing young girls that cricket is a game that can offer them a professional future. Professionalizing the women’s game is a significant chapter for our sport and I’m thrilled that we’re able to continue that momentum by increasing the number of professional contracts on offer.”
17-Year-Old Alice Capsey who impressed everyone during #TheHundred has earned her first professional contract for the 2022 season. pic.twitter.com/o01WG6hkyw
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) October 29, 2021
| Central Sparks | Lightning | Northern Diamonds | Southern Vipers | |
| Emily Arlott | Kathryn Bryce | Hollie Armitage | Georgia Adams | |
| Ami Campbell | Sarah Bryce | Jenny Gunn | Lauren Bell | |
| Gwenan Davies | Bethan Ellis | Bess Heath | Maia Bouchier | |
| Abbey Freeborn | Kirstie Gordon | Beth Langston | Charlie Dean | |
| Eve Jones | Lucy Higham | Katie Levick | Tara Norris | |
| Issy Wong | Marie Kelly | Linsey Smith | Paige Schofield | |
| Sterre Kalis* | ||||
| Rachel Slater* | ||||
| Total | 6 | 6 | 8 | 6 |
| South East Stars | Sunrisers | Thunder | Western Storm | |
| Alice Capsey | Amara Carr | Georgie Boyce | Dani Gibson | |
| Aylish Cranstone | Kelly Castle | Alex Hartley | Alex Griffiths | |
| Alice Davidson-Richards | Naomi Dattani | Laura Jackson | Georgia Hennessey | |
| Danielle Gregory | Jo Gardner | Hannah Jones | Sophie Luff | |
| Tash Farrant | Cordelia Griffith | Ellie Threlkeld | Fi Morris | |
| Bryony Smith | Grace Scrivens | Emma Lamb | Nat Wraith | |
| Phoebe Graham** | ||||
| Total | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
* Sterre Kalis and Rachel Slater funded by Northern Diamonds Regional Host, Yorkshire CCC
** Phoebe Graham funded by Thunder Regional Host, Lancashire CCC
This article is the summary of the original article published by ecb.co.uk
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.
