Womens cricket set for Lancashire lift-off

Lancashire Cricket Club has applied to the ECB to host a team in the Womens Super League from 2016.

Six host teams will compete in a T20 competition next year. 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.

“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.

“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.”