Somerset is on the cusp of a historical occasion with the proud introduction of their first-ever professional women team. This achievement is a major leap for the region’s cricketing history and stands as a testament to the nation’s dedication towards developing the women’s game. Among the players who will don the Somerset cap is England’s bowling all-rounder Charlie Dean, who has spoken of her enthusiasm at being part of this trailblazing team.
With improvements to facilities and a warm welcome, the team is already feeling at home in their new setup. Reflecting on her early experiences at the club, Dean shared her thoughts on the positive reception and the exciting future ahead for women’s cricket at Somerset.
“The reception that I’ve been given since joining Somerset has been amazing. The men have been really accommodating, there’s been an upgrade to the gym and our changing rooms, and we’ve been made to feel really welcome. Somerset really want to make us feel a part of the Club that’s had a really long history and success within the men’s game, and this feels like an exciting new era for women’s cricket.”
The 24-year-old expressed her gratitude for having the opportunity to become a professional cricketer straight out of university, something that would have been unimaginable five or ten years ago. She acknowledged how fortunate she is that the necessary systems are now in place, allowing young girls to see a clear pathway and build a career doing what they love.
She, along with other cricketers, were a part of the Somerset Press Day event that took place on Wednesday. “Press Day was really lovely because we got to see everyone who is part of the Club from the admin team to the ground staff and the players themselves, so it was great to all come together as a Club for photos and some lunch.”
Dean mentioned that with the media present, it truly felt like a launch into the season. She noted that the team is eager to get started, especially with the sun beginning to emerge, making the season feel just around the corner. She described the event as a significant moment, adding that it was a great experience and reinforced the feeling of being part of something special.
She also stated that she intends to be available to play for Somerset as much as possible. While an England series against West Indies is scheduled for May, she hopes to contribute to the team before then, provided she remains fit and healthy.
As Somerset Women embark on their inaugural professional season, the squad has been strengthened with a few exciting new additions. With fresh talent joining the ranks, the team is eager to make an impact and build a strong foundation for the future. This season marks the beginning of a new chapter, filled with ambition and the promise of success.
On being asked about how Somerset fares out, the young player added, “There has been a lot of shifting around among the teams so going into it we don’t know who is favourite. That makes it feel like a fresh start and brings excitement. Although we have a young team at Somerset, if we have got a bit of England availability with Heather coming in then hopefully, we can get some early wins. As a club, Somerset always want to be pushing for trophies, so we’ll be looking to put ourselves in the mix in the knockout competitions and pushing for places in the eliminators and the finals.”
Giving a message for the members and supporters of the team, she said, “I’ve played a little bit at Taunton for England and also against Western Storm and I love the ground and the atmosphere that comes with it. I’ve watched a few Vitality Blast games here as well, so I’d love to see some good West Country support for the women’s stand-alone games.”
Dean acknowledged the intense love for cricket that people from Somerset share, which makes her even more excited to be a part of this unit and can’t wait for the season to commence.
The off-break right-arm has been a regular force for the national side in limited-overs cricket, consistently adding to the team’s success. In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), the 24-year-old has taken 71 wickets in 40 games, at an average of 20.81, an economy rate of 4.65 runs per over and also has a hat-trick to her name.
In the shortest version of the game, the charismatic performer has been as prolific, scalping 50 wickets from as many as 38 matches. With a strike rate of 15.9 and economy of 6.94 in an accelerated environment, she has proven to be a consistent wicket-taker for the country.
(Quotes sourced from Somerset County)
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