Photo Credit: Surrey CCC
Each women’s regional team will have an additional professional contract this season with the ECB funding a sixth contract per team for 2021/22.
With Northern Diamonds and Thunder set to fund additional contracts, it will take the number of professional players in the women’s regional structure from 41 to 51. Including the England Women Centrally Contracted players, there are 67 professional women’s cricketers in England and Wales.
Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, said: “It’s absolutely fundamental to the future of women’s and girls’ cricket in England and Wales that we’re able to continue increasing the depth of our regional game by offering more professional contracts to our players.
“We cannot overstate the impact that a new professional structure is having on our game. We’ve already seen the positive impact it has had on players’ performances in a relatively short space of time. The players are thriving, raising standards across the game and deepening the potential talent pool for England Women.
Photo Credit: Twitter profile photo of @ConnorCricket
“Just as important is the visibility of these players, showing young girls that cricket is a game that can offer them a professional future.
“Professionalising the women’s game is a significant chapter for our sport and I’m thrilled that we’re able to continue that momentum by increasing the number of professional contracts on offer.”
| Central Sparks | Lightning | Northern Diamonds | Southern Vipers |
| Emily Arlott | Kathryn Bryce | Hollie Armitage | Georgia Adams |
| Ami Campbell | Sarah Bryce | Jenny Gunn | Lauren Bell |
| Gwenan Davies | Bethan Ellis | Bess Heath | Maia Bouchier |
| Abbey Freeborn | Kirstie Gordon | Beth Langston | Charlie Dean |
| Eve Jones | Lucy Higham | Katie Levick | Tara Norris |
| Issy Wong | Marie Kelly | Linsey Smith | Paige Scholfield |
| *Sterre Kalis | |||
| *Rachel Slater |
| South East Stars | Sunrisers | Thunder | Western Storm |
| Alice Capsey | Amara Carr | Georgie Boyce | Dani Gibson |
| Aylish Cranstone | Kelly Castle | Alex Hartley | Alex Griffiths |
| Alice Davidson-Richards | Naomi Dattani | Laura Jackson | Georgia Hennessey |
| Danielle Gregory | Jo Gardner | Hannah Jones | Sophie Luff |
| Tash Farrant | Cordelia Griffith | Emma Lamb | Fi Morris |
| Bryony Smith | Grace Scrivens | Ellie Threlkeld | Nat Wraith |
| ** Phoebe Graham |
* Sterre Kalis and Rachel Slater funded by Northern Diamonds Regional Host, Yorkshire CCC
** Phoebe Graham funded by Thunder Regional Host, Lancashire CCC
Name of Author: ECB
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is the national governing body for cricket in England and Wales, formed on January 1, 1997. It combines roles from the Test and County Cricket Board, National Cricket Association, and Cricket Council, and integrated the Women’s Cricket Association in 1998. Based at Lord’s Cricket Ground, the ECB oversees all levels of cricket, including national teams for men, women, and various disability categories.
