Thunder confirms squad and announces Threlkeld captain
Thunder confirms squad and announces Threlkeld captaincy
Thunder Cricket has today confirmed its squad for the 2022 season and is delighted to announce Ellie Threlkeld as captain.
Threlkeld, 23, takes over the leadership reigns from Alex Hartley and will skipper Thunder for the first time this Saturday away to Southern Vipers. Top-order bat, Georgie Boyce, has been named as Threlkeld’s vice-captain.
Head Coach Paul Shaw has a 20-strong squad to select from this season, which includes seven full-time contracted players in Threlkeld, Boyce, Hartley, Phoebe Graham, Laura Jackson, Hannah Jones, and Emma Lamb.
ECB centrally contracted players, Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone, will also be available for selection around their international commitments with England throughout the summer.
All-rounder Shachi Pai has returned to Thunder for 2022 having played for Loughborough-based Lightning for the last two summers whilst studying at university.
Regional Director of Women’s Cricket David Thorley said: “We are really pleased to be able to confirm our squad of 20 ahead of the new regional campaign getting underway on Saturday.
“With the additions of Phoebe Graham, who joined us from over the Pennines this winter, and Laura Jackson, we now have seven full-time contracted players which is a superb place to be in.
“I would also like to congratulate Ellie on being named Captain. After Alex’s decision to stand down, Ellie was the outstanding candidate after leading the side excellently out in Dubai and following her experiences with England A in Australia this winter. We wish her all the best.
“The squad is fit and firing with many of those included having played in the Women’s County T20 competition, which Lancashire won whilst remaining unbeaten in eight matches, and are now looking ahead to a strong season with the Thunder.”
Thunder will play at Emirates Old Trafford four times over the course of the summer, with two double-headers and two stand-alone fixtures. On Wednesday 3 June, Thunder will take the headline evening slot (7pm) with Lancashire Lightning playing earlier in the day (3pm) in the Vitality Blast, as the Club commits to growing the women’s game and increasing its exposure in the North West region.
It follows on from Lancashire’s historic pre-season tour earlier in March when both the men’s and women’s squad travelled side-by-side in Dubai, which was a first in county cricket.
Ellie Threlkeld added: “It is a huge honour to be named as the new captain of Thunder and I cannot wait to lead the squad into the new season.
“There is an exciting blend of players within the squad now with seven full-time pros, two England players, plus an up-and-coming crop of youngsters who will all play their part throughout the summer.
“Our performances in 2021 have given us added belief and we are determined to be challenging in the latter stages of both the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy this summer.”
Thunder squad:
Ellie Threlkeld (c), Georgie Boyce (vc), Natalie Brown, Alice Clarke, Danielle Collins, Kate Cross, Rebecca Duckworth, Alice Dyson, Sophie Ecclestone, Phoebe Graham, Alex Hartley, Liberty Heap, Laura Jackson, Hannah Jones, Emma Lamb, Laura Marshall, Daisy Mullan, Shachi Pai, Seren Smale, Sophia Turner.