After more than eight years away, spinner Kirstie Gordon has recommitted her international cricket career to Scotland, marking an emotional homecoming to the blue jersey she first wore when she was just at the age of 14.
She was born in Huntly, debuted for Scotland in 2012 but gave up her eligibility in 2018 to pursue a full-time career in English professional cricket. That bold move paid off; she earned England caps, including at the 2018 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the one-off Test against Australia in 2019.
Kirstie now plays for Blaze with Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce and wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce, the slow left-armer is currently recovering from a back injury but aims for full fitness before the start 2026 domestic season as she wants to be available for future Scotland squads.
With 60 caps for Scotland between 2012 and 2017, Gordon reflected on her journey. “It’s always been in the back of my mind in the last couple of years.” She acknowledged Craig Wallace mentioning that Craig has been on the phone relentlessly, and Gordon has connected with his vision. She added, “Playing again with two of my best mates, Kathryn and Sarah, feels like the right moment to come home.”
She debuted for Scotland at a very young age. Her early days with Scotland included standout moments like the 2015 global qualifiers in Thailand. However, university at Loughborough opened doors to elite cricket, leading her to switch to Loughborough Lightning.
The gamble paid off when she got a call up from England for the World Cup in the West Indies. “I’m really proud of the fact that after I made that decision to switch nationality, the domestic rules around eligibility were changed and nowadays Kathryn, Sarah and many other Scottish players are playing and thriving in the English domestic system,” she stated.
The timing is perfect as Scotland Women prepare for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier scheduled in Nepal in January 2026. The team’s recent success, including last year’s historic qualification win over Ireland, has changed women’s cricket in Scotland. Gordon watched that match on her iPad, tearfully celebrating from her living room.
“I couldn’t believe it, because I know what the journey was like for a lot of those players, such as Priyanaz (Chatterji), Lorna Jack and Abbi Aitken-Drummond. They’d been on a long road, so to come through and achieve that was amazing. Kathryn has been a huge influence in that success, as she’s always one to lead by example and stand up in those pressure moments, and I think the team follow her. Now you can see more young players coming through and they are fearless.”
She’s eager to mentor emerging spinners, ensuring her legacy boosts Scottish cricket in the long run. While success in Nepal is the immediate goal, this is about lasting impact. Head coach Craig Wallace smiled. “It’s exciting to hear Kirstie is now available for selection for Scotland and we are delighted to welcome her back home… I think the most pleasing thing about her decision is that it shows the strength of our squad, that somebody of Kirstie’s ability is wanting to come and challenge to compete for a place in the team.”
Gordon’s return brings world class experience not only to Scotland’s spin attack but also her as a mentor figure for the squad, blending well with their rising talent. As they chase another World Cup berth, her story highlights the growing appeal of Scottish cricket.
(Quotes sourced from Cricket Scotland)
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