Graham and Jackson sign professional contracts for Thunder
Thunder Cricket is delighted to announce that Phoebe Graham and Laura Jackson have signed professional contracts to represent the region.
Each women’s regional team will have an additional professional contract this season with the ECB funding a sixth contract per team for 2021/22,
Thunder’s Regional Host, Lancashire Cricket, have also funded an additional contract - to represent Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria - which has allowed seamer Graham to join from Northern Diamonds.
The pair will join the already contracted players including Alex Hartley, Emma Lamb, Ellie Threlkeld, Hannah Jones and Georgie Boyce.
With Northern Diamonds also funding an additional contract, it will take the number of professional players in the women’s regional structure from 41 to 51.
David Thorley, Regional Director of Women’s Cricket, said: “We are delighted to be able to continue the growth of women’s cricket in the North West by making Laura Jackson and Phoebe Graham our sixth and seventh contracted players.
“The investment from Lancashire Cricket into an additional contract shows a commitment to the set-up and continuing the positive steps made in the 2021 season when our first five contracted players made huge strides from playing cricket full time – evidenced by Emma Lamb making her England debut.
“In addition to this, Thunder has also been able to make commitments to pay players who are training with us on a non-contract basis, which allows us to secure more training hours as a squad.
“Laura has been rewarded following a breakthrough summer across all formats in 2021, whilst I would like to extend a warm welcome to Phoebe Graham who joins us from the other side of the Pennines.”
Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, also commented: “It’s 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.”