Thunder sign Naomi Dattani, Fi Morris and Tara Norris to strengthen squad
Thunder Cricket is delighted to announce the signings of Naomi Dattani (Sunrisers), Fi Morris (Western Storm) and Tara Norris (Southern Vipers), who have all signed two-year contracts at Emirates Old Trafford.
Dattani, who came through the Middlesex Academy, joins from Sunrisers where she has played for the last three years following spells at Surrey Stars and Western Storm. She has hit over 2,000 career runs to date and taken 97 wickets in 50 over and T20 cricket.
The 28-year-old all-rounder makes the switch to Thunder after featuring in successive seasons in The Hundred with London Spirit as a regular within the side.
US international Norris has experienced success within the domestic game in recent times at Southern Vipers, being part of two winning Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy campaigns, as well as a Charlotte Edwards Cup triumph in her last three seasons.
The 24-year-old has 127 wickets in 131 matches in both international and domestic cricket and she was also part of the 2022 Fairbreak Invitational in Dubai before a second season at the Southern Brave in The Hundred.
Morris will be another to bring a wealth of experience to the side with over 2,000 domestic runs and 206 wickets. She has represented Western Storm and Southern Vipers, as well as playing for Welsh Fire and Southern Brave in The Hundred.
28-year-old Morris has the ability to bat at the top or in the middle of the order and bowls right-arm off-breaks with career best figures of 5/26.
David Thorley, Regional Performance Director of Women's Cricket, said: “We are delighted to welcome Naomi Dattani, Tara Norris and Fi Morris to the Thunder squad.
“Since the end of the season, we have been looking to add quality and depth to the squad and it’s great to have got these three signings over the line.
“All three players are experienced professionals, will strengthen our group and will help continue the development of our young squad at Emirates Old Trafford.
“We look forward to welcoming them to into the group this week ahead of another winter of full-time training for the squad, as we prepare for the 2023 campaign.”
In addition to this, 19-year-old batter Daisy Mullan has signed her first professional contract, joining captain Ellie Threlkeld, Hannah Jones, Phoebe Graham and Laura Jackson alongside new additions Dattani, Morris and Norris in Thunder’s eight-strong professional ranks.
Thunder can also confirm that batter Georgie Boyce has left Thunder and Lancashire Women. Nat Brown, Rebecca Duckworth and Alice Dyson have also been released ahead of next year’s campaign.
Thorley added: “I would also like to congratulate Daisy on signing her first professional contract with us which serves as a reward for all her hard work and dedication, and we look following to watching her continued progression over the next 12 months.
“Georgie was one of our first professional players so was a trailblazer in the women’s game and has been a great servant to Lancashire Women and Thunder and we’d like to thank her, and the other players departing for their performances and wish them the best for their future careers.”