Photo Credit: Cricket Scotland
Cricket Scotland is today delighted to confirm the men’s and women’s players who have signed professional contracts with the organisation for the 2023-2024 season.
Today’s announcement follows on from confirmation last November that, for the first time, paid contracts would be offered to women’s international team players, while it also builds on the introduction in 2021 of equal match fees for men’s and women’s players.
In total, fourteen men’s contracts and nine women’s contracts have been issued for the current season, with varying bands recognising the needs of players and the organisation.
Men’s Contracts
Richie Berrington
Matthew Cross
Ally Evans
Chris Greaves
Jack Jarvis
Michael Leask
Chris McBride
Brandon McMullen
George Munsey
Liam Naylor
Safyaan Sharif
Chris Sole
Hamza Tahir
Mark Watt
Women’s Contracts
Abbi Aitken-Drummond
Priyanaz Chatterji
Katherine Fraser
Lorna Jack
Ailsa Lister
Megan McColl
Orla Montgomery
Hannah Rainey
Ellen Watson
This season’s contracts run from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, inclusive. The selection was undertaken by a panel during February and March this year, while the process and negotiation of the contracts included consultation with the Scottish Cricketer’s Association. The process can be viewed here.
Cricket Scotland’s Interim Head of Performance, Toby Bailey, said:
“We are thrilled to announce this year’s contracts, and for women’s cricket in Scotland in particular, this really is a landmark moment. I’m absolutely delighted that nine of our best women’s players have agreed to be the first to sign with Cricket Scotland.
“Given the rapid growth of women’s cricket across the world, promotion and investment in the women’s game in Scotland is now a cornerstone of the strategy for the organisation, and today’s news is a big step on the road to ensuring that cricket in Scotland is fair and inclusive for all.
“Our new setup will enable those players from the women’s squad who have signed to devote more time to training and practice, and we believe this is a major move towards putting the women’s game onto a fully professional footing.
“While our men’s squad is in a period of transition, we feel that the players awarded contracts this year reflect the heartbeat, and the future, of a strong squad. It’s been exciting to see several players from our Performance Pathway programme graduate to the full squad over the last twelve months, and some of these have been rightly rewarded for their efforts.”
Name of Author: Cricket Scotland
Cricket Scotland, formerly the Scottish Cricket Union, is the governing body for cricket in Scotland, based at the National Cricket Academy in Edinburgh. Established in 1908 and restructured in 2001, it became an ICC Associate Member in 1994. The organization includes three sub-associations: the East of Scotland Cricket Association, Western District Cricket Union, and Aberdeenshire Cricket Association.
