With the culmination of the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2025, one name that will be remembered for long is Kathryn Bryce. The 27-year-old Scottish all-rounder and captain has once again etched her mark on the global stage, proving that greatness can emerge from even the most underdog sides.
While Scotland missed out on qualification, finishing fourth behind Pakistan, Bangladesh and West Indies, Bryce’s brilliance stood tall. Her all-round dominance, scoring 293 runs in just five innings and picking up six crucial wickets, not only carried her team but also earned her the prestigious Player of the Tournament Award.
Bryce finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer, underlining her dominance with a series of commanding performances. Her campaign included a brilliant unbeaten 131 against Ireland and a heartbreakingly close 91 against Pakistan, where she fell just short of a deserved century.
This run of form is no flash in the pan, Bryce has been in red-hot touch over the past year. Just months earlier, she played a pivotal role in scripting history for Scotland by guiding them to their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup appearance. In the 2024 T20 World Cup Qualifier, she finished as the third-highest wicket-taker with nine scalps and the fourth-highest run-getter with 177 runs, showcasing her all-round prowess and leadership under pressure.
A player of Kathryn Bryce’s calibre, boasting 594 ODI runs and 1,273 T20I runs, is an increasingly attractive option for an England side in transition. Following their group stage exit from the 2024 T20 World Cup and 16-0 Ashes defeat to Australia, England find themselves in a rebuilding phase. With Charlotte Edwards stepping in as head coach after Jon Lewis’ resignation and a new captain yet to be named, there’s a clear shift underway.
Amid this reshuffle, Bryce’s consistency, experience, and all-round skillset make her a tempting prospect. Addressing the idea of switching allegiance, the Edinburgh-born cricketer said, “Yeah, possibly. You never know how you feel until you have to make that decision. It’s always an option that’s there but the stuff with Scotland has been super exciting recently. I guess it will always be lingering on in the background at some point.” Her words reflect both a deep commitment to Scottish cricket and an awareness of the broader opportunities that may lie ahead.
Any potential change in nationality for Bryce appears to be a consideration for the future rather than an immediate decision. There is, however, a precedent. Her sister, Sarah Bryce, also a rising talent has been loosely linked with England too.
Notably, Kirstie Gordon, who captains both Bryces at The Blaze, made a similar move in 2018, switching allegiance from Scotland to England. Though her decision was driven by the opportunity to secure a contract in the now-defunct Kia Super League, it highlights the pathways that exist for Scottish players looking to break into the English setup.
Bryce’s ties to the English domestic structure have only strengthened her case as a top-tier talent. In the 2024 Charlotte Edwards Cup, she emerged as the tournament’s highest run-scorer with 478 runs, playing a central role in The Blaze’s title-winning campaign. Reflecting on that season, she said, “Last year was fantastic, I’d do pretty well to ever top that again. I had the backing of the team and the players – you take away the fear of getting out which allows yourself to play your best game.”
She’s also quick to acknowledge how dramatically the women’s cricketing landscape has evolved. “When I started my career, the only way to be a professional cricketer was to play for England,” Bryce said. Now, with the rise of domestic leagues like The Hundred and increased investment across all levels, she sees a game transformed.
Bryce, who in October 2024 became the first non-English recipient of the Professional Cricketers’ Association’s Women’s Player of the Year award, continues to blaze a trail. The accolade capped off a stellar year in which she dominated across formats. Now, she’s set to don The Blaze colours again in the inaugural Metro Bank One Day Cup, further embedding herself within England’s domestic setup. The Blaze start their campaign with the season opener against Lancashire on 23rd April.
(Quotes sourced from independent.co.uk)
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