Cricket

Bess Heath, England's rising star wicketkeeper-batter, has inked a three-year deal with Durham, solidifying her position as a cornerstone of the Tier 1 outfit. The move marks a significant shift in the women's county cricket landscape, as Durham prepares to replace the Northern Diamonds in the new competition from 2025 onwards.Heath, 22, has amassed over 3000 runs across all formats since her professional debut four years ago. Her impressive performances earned her a place in the England squad, where she has made five appearances, including against Sri Lanka last year.Throughout her burgeoning career, Heath has represented various teams, including Brisbane Heat, Northern Superchargers, Melbourne Stars, and Yorkshire. With Northern Diamonds, she reached the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final in her debut season in 2020 and lifted the trophy two years later. Her exceptional 286 runs in the same competition last summer earned her a nomination for the PCA Women's Young Player of the Year award.Heath's decision to join Durham comes amidst a period of transition for the Diamonds squad, following the relocation of the new club's base from Headingley to Chester-le-Street. Her teammate and fellow wicketkeeper, Lauren Winfield-Hill, is expected to remain with her native Yorkshire, despite their Tier 2 status next summer.Upon joining Durham, Heath expressed her excitement: "I am so excited to be joining Durham from next season and get going in the North East. The opportunity to join Durham is something I am very much looking forward to and hopefully I can play my part in creating new history for Durham."Marcus North, Director of Cricket, hailed Heath's signing: "Bess is one of the most exciting young talents in England, and we are thrilled to have recruited her to Durham on a long-term contract.""Despite being only 22, she already has a tremendous amount of experience in the domestic game and we look forward to seeing her continue to thrive at Durham as she looks to add more England caps."Meanwhile, David Ripley has been appointed as the Head Coach of Northamptonshire's Women for their inaugural Tier 2 season next year. Ripley, who guided Northamptonshire's men to two T20 Blast titles in 2013 and 2016, also achieved two promotions to the County Championship Division One.Ripley will officially take up his new role in February 2025, ahead of a maiden Tier 2 season that will also feature Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire, Middlesex, Sussex, Worcestershire, and Yorkshire."I'm delighted to be joining the Women's Steelbacks as Head Coach, it's exciting times ahead as the new format is rolled out," Ripley said. "As well as a competitive senior team I hope to help develop our younger girls into future professional players, in partnership with our pathway coaches."

Durham Cricket has secured a significant signing ahead of their inaugural season as a Tier 1 women's team in 2025. Former England international and highly regarded head coach Dani Hazell has returned to Chester-le-Street on a three-year deal.Hazell, who represented England in 141 matches between 2009 and 2018, including two World Cups and three Ashes victories, will continue her role as head coach of the Northern Superchargers while leading Durham's women's team.Having started her playing career at Durham's academy, Hazell was a natural target for the club as they aim to establish themselves as a leading force in women's cricket in the north of England. Her appointment could potentially entice other Leeds-based Northern Diamonds players to join Durham, rather than waiting for Yorkshire to achieve Tier 1 status in 2026."It was evident from the outset that Dani was the ideal person to guide Durham into this new chapter and establish a legacy as a professional women's team," said Marcus North, Durham's director of cricket. "Her intimate knowledge of the club, having played for us and contributed to our women's and girls' pathway, is invaluable.""Dani's reputation as a successful head coach with the Northern Diamonds and Northern Superchargers is well-established. Her winning mentality as both a player and coach is a valuable asset for Durham. I am eager to collaborate with her as we embark on this exciting chapter for Durham Cricket."Hazell, 36, took over as Northern Diamonds' head coach in 2019, leading the team to victory in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in 2022. Under her guidance, the Northern Superchargers reached the final of the women's Hundred in 2023. She has also played a pivotal role in developing the Diamonds academy."I am thrilled to accept the position of head coach," said Hazell. "This is a transformative chapter for Durham Cricket and the entire region, and I am honored to be a part of this historic era for the club.""I share the club's aspirations and standards for continuous growth and progress, particularly at this pivotal moment for women's and girls' cricket. After our initial discussions, I recognized that this was the right opportunity for me to return to my home club, and I am eager to embrace the challenges ahead."Tim Bostock, Durham's chief executive, added: "We are delighted that Dani has agreed to lead our women's team. Her global expertise in the game is crucial, but her familiarity with Durham cricket is equally important. We believe she is the ideal fit for Durham Cricket."

Yorkshire's inclusion in the Tier 1 women's cricket competition in 2026 is a significant development for the county and the sport as a whole. The decision, which was initially met with criticism, has been welcomed by players, fans, and administrators alike.Yorkshire's omission from the inaugural year of the competition in 2025 was met with widespread disappointment. The county has a rich history in women's cricket, with 313 women's and girl's teams within its borders. The presence of the Northern Diamonds, a successful regional team based at Headingley, further strengthened Yorkshire's case for inclusion.The ECB's decision to reconsider Yorkshire's application was influenced by several factors. The impact on the Northern Diamonds' playing squad was a major concern, with players expressing their unease at the prospect of relocation. Additionally, the ECB recognized the strength of Yorkshire's bid and its commitment to developing women's cricket in the county.Yorkshire's elevation to Tier 1 will come with increased funding of £1.5 million per year from 2026. However, the club must meet certain conditions relating to governance, strategy, and finance. This is in light of Yorkshire's ongoing financial challenges, with debts currently in the region of £20 million.The new women's cricket structure will consist of three tiers, with no promotion or relegation for the first four seasons. This will provide stability for teams and allow them to focus on developing their talent pathways and building competitive squads.The inclusion of Yorkshire in Tier 1 is a positive step for women's cricket in England. It will provide a platform for talented players to showcase their skills and inspire future generations. The increased funding and support will also help to raise the profile of the women's game and attract new fans.

Lauren Winfield-Hill, the England batter and Northern Diamonds stalwart, has expressed concerns over the ECB's decision to defer Yorkshire's entry into Tier 1 of the new women's domestic competition. The move, which will see Durham host the northern-most region from 2025 onwards, has raised questions about the future of women's cricket in Yorkshire.Winfield-Hill, who has been a key figure for the Diamonds, believes the decision could have detrimental effects on the county's women's cricket program. With the majority of Diamonds players based in and around Leeds, the prospect of relocation or lengthy commutes could discourage participation."The general feeling was just unsettled," Winfield-Hill said. "Northern Diamonds is Northumberland, Durham, and Yorkshire, but in terms of our host, 80 percent of our cricket has been Yorkshire."The ECB has stated that Yorkshire's entry into Tier 1 was delayed due to the county's ongoing racism scandal. However, Winfield-Hill believes the decision could have wider implications for the development of women's cricket in the region."I'm not necessarily concerned cricket-wise, because I've probably done enough, at that level, to be valued in most teams," she said. "But if you look at some of the youngsters, like Katherine Fraser, who moved to Leeds University because she wanted to get her education as well as pursue cricket, the landscape changes, doesn't it?"Winfield-Hill also raised concerns about the practicalities of the decision. With Yorkshire's entry delayed by two years, players may face difficult choices regarding their future."Using Katherine Fraser as an example, do you forego a professional contract for the next couple of years and wait for Yorkshire to be a Tier 1 county? Or if you're looking at a relocation, do you go for three or four years, or do you want to come back?" she said.The decision has also raised questions about the competitiveness of the new competition. With Yorkshire and Glamorgan joining Tier 1 in 2027, there are concerns that the two teams may struggle to build competitive squads due to the delayed entry."The last thing you want is two teams that are hampered because they're late to the party," Winfield-Hill said.Overall, Winfield-Hill believes the ECB's decision could have significant consequences for women's cricket in Yorkshire and the wider domestic competition. She urged the governing body to reconsider the decision and ensure that the future of women's cricket in the region is protected.

Yorkshire's bid to host a Tier 1 team in England's new domestic women's structure has been unsuccessful, sparking disappointment and frustration within the club. However, ECB chief executive Richard Gould has denied that the decision was influenced by Yorkshire's past failings in addressing allegations of institutional racism.Northern Diamonds, the regional side in the north east, will continue to be based primarily at Headingley but will also play home games at other locations in 2024. Durham will host a Tier 1 county in the initial eight-team structure from 2025, a decision that Yorkshire's board described as "tough to take."Yorkshire's board highlighted the club's large active playing base of women and girls, as well as its success in producing players who have gone on to play internationally for England. They expressed disappointment that they would not be able to use a Tier 1 women's team to help them achieve their ambition of becoming "the most welcoming and inclusive cricket club in the country."Gould emphasized that the ECB's decision was not a punishment for Yorkshire's past sins. "Our role is to promote the game, not punish," he said. "We have responsibility when we have an opportunity such as this to get the best outcomes nationally."The news has caused concern among Northern Diamonds players and staff, with England captain Heather Knight confirming that the prospect of having to relocate from Leeds to Durham has caused "quite an unsettling time" for some of the Yorkshire-based domestic players.Gould acknowledged that such tough decisions are part of the process. "This is professional sport," he said. "It's no bad thing. If you want to be paid to be a player in this set-up, you're going to be a Tier 1 player."The Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) anticipates some "teething problems" and has pledged to hold counties accountable in delivering on their proposals. Knight believes that the scale of disappointment is a sign of the progress that has been made in women's cricket.The ECB's investment in women's domestic cricket is expected to grow the number of female professional players in the country by 80% in the next five years. Knight believes there is enough talent to sustain the structure and that investment is key to growing the depth.The revamp is seen as the next logical step in the professionalization of women's cricket in England and Wales. Knight expressed excitement about the plans and hopes that women's cricket will be given equal opportunity alongside the men's game.

Daniel Gidney, Lancashire's chief executive, has urged the ECB to secure a title sponsor and a dedicated broadcast deal for the Charlotte Edwards Cup. This call comes after Lancashire's significant investment in women's cricket earned them Tier 1 status in the revamped domestic structure from 2025.Lancashire has been a major supporter of Thunder in England's regional competitions since 2020, with backing from Hilton and Sportsbreaks.com. They now boast a full-time squad of 15 professionals and have embarked on their third consecutive pre-season tour.Gidney expressed his delight at Lancashire's Tier 1 status, emphasizing the need for proper investment in women's cricket. He believes the ECB must find a title sponsor for the Charlotte Edwards Cup and invest in marketing games outside of the Hundred.The ECB has pledged to invest around £19 million in women's domestic cricket by 2027. However, Gidney argues that the Charlotte Edwards Cup needs to be backed by England players and taken seriously. He points out that their quarter-final at Blackpool last year attracted more spectators than Finals Day at New Road.While the men's county competitions have headline sponsors, the women's regional equivalents do not. Gidney insists that the Charlotte Edwards Cup requires a title sponsor that pays substantial money and that it should be broadcast.Gidney believes the move towards a county model reflects the rapid commercialization of women's sport. He cites the success of the Lionesses, Red Roses, and Arsenal's women's team as evidence of this growth.The tender process for Tier 1 teams has highlighted the counties that are genuinely committed to investing in women's cricket. Gidney emphasizes that authenticity is crucial and that counties must demonstrate their commitment through actions and investments.Thunder, who have appointed Chris Read as their coach, will play seven fixtures at Old Trafford this year, the most of any regional team at a men's Test venue. Lancashire is also building a new facility at Farington, which will serve as a training base and host matches.Gidney stresses that Emirates Old Trafford remains the home of Lancashire Cricket for both men and women. Old Trafford will also host women's international cricket again from 2025, and Gidney hopes to secure Women's T20 World Cup matches there in 2026.

Essex Cricket Club has secured Tier 1 status in the new professional structure for women's cricket, a significant milestone that opens up exciting opportunities for the club and the region. The decision by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recognizes Essex's commitment to developing women's cricket and its potential to become a leading force in the sport.The club's bid, supported by the University of Essex and cricket boards in neighboring counties, was chosen over other strong contenders in the South East of England. This achievement is a testament to Essex's vision and the strength of its partnership with the university, which will provide access to expertise in sports science and training facilities.Essex's home ground at Chelmsford, with a current capacity of approximately 5,000, is the smallest among the eight Tier 1 clubs. However, club chief executive John Stephenson believes the ground's intimate atmosphere will be an advantage in the short term as the club grows alongside the women's game.In the long term, Stephenson expects the Tier 1 status to accelerate the club's redevelopment plans. Consultation with local residents and Chelmsford City Council is underway, with the aim of doubling the ground's capacity to 10,000 by the time of the men's T20 World Cup in 2030."It will link into our development plans because what's held the club back has been the lack of investment in the ground," Stephenson said. "We're confident in our masterplan, and the commercial possibilities relating to the women's game are huge."The club's ambition was boosted by its successful hosting of an Ireland-Bangladesh ODI series last season, which drew enthusiastic support from the Bangladeshi community in East London. With the Women's World Cup due to be held in England in 2026, Stephenson is confident that Chelmsford can be ready to host more major matches in the near future."If we can get a spade in the ground next year, by 2030 the women's game will have grown exponentially, and hopefully we'll be ready to host a World Cup match for the men in 2030," he said.Essex's Tier 1 status is also a vindication of the club's efforts to confront allegations of historic racist abuse. The club has taken significant action to address these issues, and the ECB's decision recognizes the progress that has been made."It is pleasing that the ECB recognize that we have dealt with the situation that we were confronted with," Stephenson said. "Now the club is moving in a great direction, and that is particularly satisfying."