The ECB has released the names of those who have been awarded regional contracts for next year's season with a sixth player to be funded at each.
In a positive move for the domestic game, this sees an increase from 41 to 51 and reflects the positive momentum of the professionalism of the women's game. This means that there are now 67 professional English cricketers across the regional and professional stage with the youngest aged just 17.
Where last year, Western Storm funded their own sixth professional, 2021/22 sees Northern Diamonds fund an extra two players and North West Thunder and extra one.
ECB Managing Director of Women's Cricket, Clare Connor MBE, 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.”
Charlotte Edwards Cup defending champions South East Stars have added 2021's breakout star Alice Capsey to their contracts as well as fellow Oval Invincibles youngster Danielle Gregory. Back-to-back Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy champions Southern Vipers have added England player Charlie Dean to theirs as they look to make it three in a row.
There have also been some changes in allegiance with Phoebe Graham making the move to North West Thunder from Northern Diamonds and Ami Campbell also leaving the Diamonds to join the Central Sparks. She fills a spot left by Marie Kelly at Sparks as she joins Lightning.
Winter nets will soon be underway as well as stars including Issy Wong, Eve Jones, Linsey Smith and Maia Bouchier returning from the WBBL in Australia.
Following from the huge successes of the 2021 summer of women's cricket, this is already shaping up to be another year of big hits, stunning wickets and a further demonstration of the class of women's cricket in England.
Central Sparks | Lightning | Northern Diamonds | Southern Vipers |
Emily Arlott | Katherine 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 Schofield |
| | Sterre Kalis | |
| | Rachel Slater | |
South East Stars | Sunrisers | North West 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 | Ellie Threlkeld | Fi Morris |
Bryony Smith | Grace Scrivens | Emma Lamb | Nat Wraith |
| | Phoebe Graham | |
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