Earlier this week, the English Cricket Board (ECB) announced their plans for increased investment in the women’s regional game. This means that from the 1st of February 2023 there will be at least 98 professional women’s cricketers in England and Wales, 18 of those being Centrally Contracted England Women’s players and 80 ECB-funded professional players at the regional level of the game. This announcement comes just over two years after the very first regional contracts, labelled as “retainer” contracts given to 25 players across the 8 different regions.
Northern Diamonds beating the Southern Vipers in the 2022 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Final at Lords
As expected, there has been plenty of movement between the regions and changes to sides making next season’s Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy races much more competitive and undetermined. The first key element to focus on is the vast change in England contracts. With two retirements, Anya Shrubsole and Fran Wilson, and four omissions from the list, six central contracts were made available. These were awarded to Southern Vipers, Charlie Dean, Lauren Bell and Freya Kemp. Joined by Alice Capsey of South East Stars and Emma Lamb from Thunder. The final contract went to Central Sparks’ Issy Wong completing the 2022/23 list. Of course, this meant that the regional contracts, held by all these players bar teenager Freya Kemp who played her first season of senior cricket this summer, were now available for other players to step into.
Firstly, Thunder. Thunder were a side that struggled with batting this season being 9 wickets down or more in 5 games last season. The rectify this, Thunder have signed top order batters, Naomi Dattani from Sunrisers and Fi Morris from Western Storm. To strengthen their bowling plans, they have enlisted USA international and former Southern Viper, Tara Norris. Left-arm spinner, Alex Hartley, made the decision to not renew her contract after increased commitment to media duties with her commentary career flourishing. In addition to this, opening batter, Georgie Boyce, made the decision to depart from Thunder after a strong 5 years with north-west based sides. This enabled the side to also contract young batter, Daisy Mullan, who made a brief appearance in the second edition of the Hundred for Manchester Originals. Captain Ellie Threlkeld along with bowlers Laura Jackson, Phoebe Graham, Hannah Jones have all renewed their contracts.
Central Sparks have signed two new players in the form of South East Stars batter, Chloe Brewer and Western Storm bowler, Katie George. Brewer found herself in fine form last season with scores such as 61, 57 and 49 being a regular occurrence. The move to Sparks should guarantee Brewer with more game time and if her form continues, she will be a vital part of Sparks’ campaign next season. George recently lost her England contract after a long stint with injury which she was still struggling with at the back end of last season. Her move to Sparks provides a fresh start to push for international selection again and the opportunity to play alongside fellow seamers, Issy Wong and Emily Arlott. After being selected for the inaugural u19 Women’s World Cup in South Africa, it was announced that 16-year-old, Davina Perrin had signed a professional contract, becoming the youngest player on the circuit to do so. While some teenagers pick up a job doing the paper round, Perrin’s cricket career is thriving and her year is set to be full of exciting opportunities.
Will the Sun finally rise?
Sunrisers were in desperate need of change. They finished the summer winless, something no regional side has done before. In their 3 year history, they have won one game, have drawn one and lost every other game. This means they have not ever won a Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy game. Vitally, Sunrisers retained their star batter and bowler, Grace Scrivens who arguably has carried the team all season despite only being 18 years old. They also resigned Jo Gardener, Cordelia Griffith, Amara Carr and captain, Kelly Castle. Scottish leg-spinner, Abtaha Maqsood has also committed to the club after joining last season. Some changes have been made but it doesn’t seem to be the change they were hoping for. Top order batter, Naomi Dattani made the move to Thunder leaving Sunrisers’ already depleted batting order in a tougher position. Eva Gray of South East Stars has been the only signing so far who will provide much-needed depth to the bowling department, having been joint top wicket taker for her winning side in the Hundred, Oval Invincibles.
South East Stars, alike to Diamonds, have decided on their 10 professionals and are contracting them throughout the Winter. They have retained all their professionals with Danielle Gregory, Bryony Smith, Aylish Cranstone and Alice Davidson-Richards committing themselves to the club. All-rounder Alice Capsey was a recipient of a Central Contract making another regional contract available. Stars only made one external signing, Paige Schofield formerly of Southern Vipers, and instead have rewarded their homegrown talent of Phoebe Franklin, Kalea Moore, Emma Jones, Kira Chathli and U19 England players, Ryana McDonald-Gay and Alexa Stonehouse. South East Stars are an almost identical side to last season with only Eva Gray and Rhianna Southby leaving to play at Sunrisers and Southern Vipers respectively. Their success last season reaching both semi-finals clearly has given them the confidence to not need to make changes and contracting current players will only strengthen their side.
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Winners, Northern Diamonds, are also a relatively unchanged group. Retaining, Beth Langston, Sterre Kalis, Hollie Armitage, Bess Heath, Katie Levick and Rachel Slater, it was only left-arm spinner, Linsey Smith who returned to her roots down south and signed to the Southern Vipers who the Diamonds notably beat in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Final. England cricket legend, Jenny Gunn announced her retirement and her experience will be missed within the team. After losing her England contract, Lauren Winfield-Hill signed a 3 year deal with the Diamonds and was a vital part of last season’s campaign. The Diamonds are developing their young talent as Emma Marlow, Phoebe Turner and Leah Dobson all sign their first professional contracts. Will this be enough to defend their title next season?
Home-grown talent is the way
Southern Vipers has been the team creating murmurs recently. With three of their top players, Charlie Dean, Freya Kemp and Lauren Bell deservedly earning England contracts, there was huge opportunity for some big signings. After all who wouldn’t want to join the winning machine that is the Vipers? Alas, they only retained three of their professionals: Georgia Adams, Maia Bouchier and Anya Shrubsole with Tara Norris and Paige Schofield moving to Thunder and South East Stars respectively. Georgia Elwiss has signed after losing her Central Contract and key batter Ella McCaughan along with match-winner Emily Windsor have also joined the pros. Carla Rudd, Charlotte Taylor, Alice Monaghan, Nancy Harman, Finty Trussler, Chloe Hill, and Rhianna Southby have all been awarded winter retainer contracts and will be pushing for one of the three remaining contracts. With the prospect of the Vipers’ England players missing for large chunks of the season, it will be interesting to see how they cope without their usual star-studded XI.
Departing from Western Storm was Fi Morris and Katie George who have made the move to Thunder and Central Sparks. Georgia Hennessy departs the Storm without any explanation from the club. The other five professionals from last season: Nat Wraith, Dani Gibson, Sophie Luff, Fran Wilson and Alex Griffiths made the decision to continue at the club and have been joined by bowlers, Lauren Filer, Chloe Skelton and Hundred star, Sophia Smale. Again, Storm have opted to contract home-grown talent to develop their side who just missed out on the semi-finals of both tournaments.
Lightning has struck for the final time
Lighting, the east-Midlands region who were previously connected to Loughborough University under their ‘Lightning’ branding are now moving up the road to Trent Bridge where they will now be associated with Nottingham County Cricket Club under a new name which is yet to be announced. It is assumed that the core of their team will remain the same with potentially Georgie Boyce and Gwen Davies joining as it hasn’t been announced that they signed for another region since departing their previous sides of Thunder and Central Sparks. ‘Lightning’ will presumably announce their contracts in due course once the new franchise is finalised.
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