Emma Louise Lamb’s journey from a promising young cricketer in Preston to being named the PCA Women’s Player of the Year in 2025 is a story filled with perseverance, talent, and recognition from her peers. At the PCA Awards in London, her exceptional performances in both domestic and international cricket were celebrated, solidifying her status as one of England’s leading female cricketers.
Born on December 16th, 1997, in Preston, Lancashire, Emma climbed the ranks through Lancashire’s youth pathway, truly shining in age-group cricket, notably averaging over 100 in her final under-17 season. She made her senior county debut for the Women’s County Championship in 2013 at just 14 years old against Warwickshire and recorded her maiden century the following year, scoring an impressive 113* while carrying her bat against Durham.
Emma has also made strides off the pitch; in 2015, she became the first woman to participate in the Cheshire County League, playing for Bramhall alongside her brother Danny Lamb. She has often shared how, in her early days, she relied on hand-me-down cricket gear from him, a reflection of the resource limitations many female cricketers have historically faced. In addition to her cricketing pursuits, she studied at Edge Hill University and graduated in 2019, juggling her academic commitments with her sporting ambitions.
As a right-handed batter and an occasional off-spin bowler, Emma has made her mark across various formats of the game, playing for Lancashire Women, North West Thunder, Manchester Originals, and in 2025, the Birmingham Phoenix. She made her debut for England’s T20 team in September 2021 and later played in ODIs and Test matches, scoring a memorable century (102 runs against South Africa in July 2022) and several fifties.
In 2025, Emma emerged as the leading run-scorer in the Women’s One Day Cup, finishing with 794 runs at an average of 72.18 and contributing with 14 wickets as well. Her consistent performances in domestic competitions and her contributions to the England team made her a deserving candidate for the PCA peer vote.
She expressed her surprise at winning the accolade, saying, “I’m very surprised to win the Toyota PCA Women’s Player of the Year. I wasn’t expecting it, but obviously I’m very happy. It’s really lovely that my peers have taken the time to recognise my performances this year. It’s such an honour to receive this award. It’s been a delightful 12 months.” She emphasised the significance of being recognised by fellow professionals, which adds more value to the award.
Emma was also named in the PCA Women’s Team of the Year 2025, further affirming her position among the top players in the sport. As the inaugural winner of the PCA Women’s Player of the Year in the newly restructured Tier 1 era, her journey from a county prodigy to an international all-rounder is a testament to her dedication and adaptability.
Looking ahead, Emma Lamb stands as a key figure in both England’s women’s cricket landscape and the domestic game. This award is undoubtedly one of many milestones as she continues her impressive career.
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