Women’s game given Lancashire backing

THE Lancashire Cricket Board has formally submitted its bid to the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to host a Women’s Cricket Super League (WCSL) team from 2016.

Six teams will compete in a T20 competition next year following an announcement by the ECB. The competition will expand to include a 50-overs 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 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.

“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 announcement of Mark Robinson as the new England Women’s coach, this is an unprecedented period in the development of the game.

“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 Lancashire County Cricket Club and the LCCC Foundation, and in conjunction with our colleagues at Cheshire Cricket Board.”