ECB Unveils Tier 2 Counties for New Women's Domestic Competitions

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has unveiled the structure for the second tier of its new domestic women's competitions, which will commence in 2025. Ten counties—Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Middlesex, Sussex, Worcestershire, and Yorkshire—will compete in Tier 2, playing both 50-over and 20-over cricket. The competition structure and schedule for 2025 are yet to be finalized.

Tier 3 status will be granted to all National Counties that wish to participate in the new competitions at that level from 2025. The three tiers will be closed from the 2025 to 2028 seasons, with no promotion or relegation.

To foster competition among all counties, the ECB has also announced a knock-out cup competition involving teams from all three tiers. The cup competition is expected to launch in 2025 alongside the establishment of the three-tiered structure.

Earlier this year, the ECB announced that Durham, Essex, Surrey, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, and Warwickshire would play in Tier 1 of the new competitions starting in 2025. Yorkshire will join Tier 1 for the 2026 season, subject to meeting certain conditions, while Glamorgan will join in 2027. The ECB aims to expand Tier 1 to 12 teams by 2029.

Beth Barrett-Wild, director of the women's professional game, expressed excitement about the finalized tiers. She emphasized that the new structure will accommodate the growth and enhance the depth of the women's professional game.

The ECB plans to invest £8 million in new funding per year in women's domestic cricket by 2027, bringing the annual investment in this area to approximately £19 million. This investment will support the development of more professional female players, increased investment, and improved alignment between the men's and women's game.

Tags: #Women'sCricket, #DomesticCricket, #ECB, #Tier2Counties, #NewCompetitions