41 women sign professional domestic contracts in "most significant step forward in recent years"

In June, 25 players signed regional retainers, which have since become full-time deals; 16 more women have now been handed contracts from across the eight regional hubs

The eight women’s regional hubs have confirmed their professional players, meaning that 41 cricketers have now signed full-time domestic deals – a move described as “the most significant step forward for the women’s game in recent years” by Clare Connor, the ECB’s managing director of women’s cricket.

The news comes at the end of a difficult year for the women’s game, which underwent a major restructure before the coronavirus pandemic took hold of the English summer, meaning that a new regional system had to wait until August to first be seen in match action.

Prior to Covid-19, it had been planned for all 40 full-time deals to be confirmed ahead of the season as part of the ECB's £20million investment in the women's game. 

In June, 25 players signed regional retainer contracts to assist them through the season, which ultimately featured the inaugural Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

It was revealed then that those initial deals would become full-time contracts in the autumn, while a further batch of players would also move onto professional deals.

Of the 16 players now added, Jenny Gunn stands out in particular. The former England allrounder, now 34, admitted that she had been close to retiring from the sport ahead of the 2020 season, only to be coaxed back in by Northern Diamonds head coach Dani Hazell.

Diamonds ultimately finished as runners-up to Southern Vipers, with 29-year-old seamer Phoebe Graham joining Gunn on a professional deal. Vipers, meanwhile, have handed contracts to Lauren Bell and Maia Bouchier, both of whom played key roles in Charlotte Edwards’ team emerging as unbeaten winners.

^{Jenny Gunn was part of the Northern Diamonds side that reached the Heyhoe Flint Trophy final}

Elsewhere, there are full-time berths for Hannah Jones at Thunder, Emily Arlott and Gwenan Davies at Central Sparks and Jo Gardner and Kelly Castle at Sunrisers.

South East Stars, who had four players on summer retainers, have added Aylish Cranstone as their fifth professional. Lightning have rewarded Bethan Ellis, Lucy Higham and Abbey Freeborn with contracts, with Western Storm offering deals to 19-year-old wicketkeeper Nat Wraith and allrounders Georgia Hennessy and Alex Griffiths.

Connor said: “We’re delighted that these 41 young women are able to call themselves full-time professional cricketers and we wish them every success.

“The introduction of these 41 professional players, in addition to our 17 centrally contracted England Women’s players is the most significant step forward for the women’s game in recent years.

This is what it means for us to go pro: A story of resilience and perseverance as English cricket launches its women's domestic contracts

“In terms of the health of women’s cricket in England and Wales, we cannot overestimate the importance of these 41 players having the opportunity to train and work on their skills full-time, with access to high quality coaching and facilities across the eight regions.

“Today’s news is not only wonderful for the players themselves, it represents a step change for our whole domestic game and for young girls who will now be able to see more opportunity and aspiration in front of them.

“When you add in the profile opportunity of The Hundred next year, the landscape looks even more exciting. After a challenging year in the wake of the pandemic, I’m really pleased with the progress we’ve made in 2020, just one year after launching our action plan to transform women’s and girls’ cricket.”

England internationals Alex Hartley, Linsey Smith, Alice Davidson-Richards, Tash Farrant, Sophia Dunkley, Beth Langston and Bryony Smith were all among those handed retainers in June. They were joined by Hollie Armitage, Georgie Boyce, Emma Lamb, Ellie Threlkeld, Eve Jones, Marie Kelly, Issy Wong, Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Dani Gibson, Sophie Luff, Fi Morris, Georgia Adams, Tara Norris, Paige Scholfield, Amara Carr, Naomi Dattani and Cordelia Griffith.

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