The Lancashire Cricket Board has formally submitted its bid to the ECB to host a Women’s Cricket Super League (WCSL) team from 2016 onwards.
Details of the WCSL can be found here. The six host teams will compete in a T20 competition next year following the exciting announcement from ECB. The competition will expand to include a 50 over tournament from 2017.
Bobby Cross, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the LCB, said: “The Board has invested significantly in the development of our women and girls’ programme over the last few years with a full time Women & Girls Cricket Development Officer in Jenny Barden and success has been reflected at both senior county level as well as in a growth in participation at grass roots level.
Kate Cross
“We currently have Kate Cross in the England Women’s Performance squad, Emma Lamb, Sophie Ecclestone and Ellie Threlkeld in the England Women’s Academy and both Erin and Lucy Staunton-Turner in the England Women’s Development Programme. We have also seen a number of clubs starting girls sections and expanding the opportunities for girls to play the game. We are proud of the growth of the game in the county and the successes of our girls at all levels.
“With the exciting announcement of Mark Robinson as the new England Women’s coach this is an unprecedented period in the development of the game in this country. We see WCSL as a fantastic opportunity to explore the potential for the next generation of young cricketers to push the boundaries and to give the national side a bigger pool of talented players challenging for places.”
“At grass roots level WCSL represents a unique opportunity to inspire girls to take up the game and for a clear pathway to be available to those within the sport as we seek to retain players.”
“Having submitted an initial expression of interest, we have now submitted our comprehensive bid in partnership with the Lancashire County Cricket Club and LCCC Foundation and in conjunction with our colleagues at Cheshire Cricket Board.”
