ECB To Fund Sixth Professional Contract For Women's Regions
29 October 2021
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.
Western Storm’s professionals for 2022 will therefore be Sophie Luff, Dani Gibson, Alex Griffiths, Georgia Hennessey, Fi Morris and Nat Wraith.
With Northern Diamonds and Thunder each 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.
“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
Emily Arlott
Ami Campbell
Gwenan Davies
Abbey Freeborn
Eve Jones
Issy Wong
Lightning
Kathryn Bryce
Sarah Bryce
Bethan Ellis
Kirstie Gordon
Lucy Higham
Marie Kelly
Northern Diamonds
Hollie Armitage
Jenny Gunn
Bess Heath
Beth Langston
Katie Levick
Linsey Smith
*Sterre Kalis
*Rachel Slater
Southern Vipers
Georgia Adams
Lauren Bell
Maia Bouchier
Charlie Dean
Tara Norris
Paige Scholfield
South East Stars
Alice Capsey
Aylish Cranstone
Alice Davidson-Richards
Danielle Gregory
Tash Farrant
Bryony Smith
Sunrisers
Amara Carr
Kelly Castle
Naomi Dattani
Jo Gardner
Cordelia Griffith
Grace Scrivens
Thunder
Georgie Boyce
Alex Hartley
Laura Jackson
Hannah Jones
Emma Lamb
Ellie Threlkeld
** Phoebe Graham
Western Storm
Dani Gibson
Alex Griffiths
Georgia Hennessey
Sophie Luff
Fi Morris
Nat Wraith
