Lola Harris has signed her first full-time professional contract and becomes the latest player to be announced by Somerset County Cricket Club.
The 18-year-old made her way through the Somerset Player Pathway before joining the Western Storm Academy in 2021 and made her Somerset debut in the same year.
The leg spinner has featured in four matches for Somerset across the two white-ball formats, claiming four wickets with a best of two for 25.
Lola was named in the England Under 19 training squad ahead of their Tri-Series against Sri Lanka and Australia in 2023.
After signing her initial two-year rookie contract, Lola said: “I’ve played in the Somerset Pathway since I was eight years old, so it’s amazing that I can now call myself a professional for the County that I grew up playing for. This is very special to me and it’s really exciting to be in the first group of professional players at Somerset.
“I think it’s great the way that the women’s team is being fully integrated with access to high quality training facilities. It will be special to represent Somerset and to play in front of the same crowd as the men.
“After spending the last few years at Western Storm and playing all around the South West over the years, I’m proud to continue this with Somerset and I aim to make the most of this opportunity.”
Somerset Women Head Coach, Trevor Griffin added: “Lola earned her first contract as a pay as you play player last year and this is another positive step on her journey. She is a young bowler who has shown that she has the potential to cause batters problems, and it will be exciting to witness her development.”
Somerset CCC Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry is pleased to have signed a bowler with such potential. “Having come through the Somerset Pathway, Lola has already bought into the culture that exists at the Club. She is a promising young player who possesses a number of the attributes required to take her game to the next level.”
With thanks to Somerset CCC
