Eve Jones signs three-year deal with Lancashire Thunder
Lancashire Thunder is delighted to announce the permanent signing of Eve Jones with the top-order batter signing a three-year contract ahead of the 2025 season.
Jones initially returned to Lancashire on loan from Central Sparks for the remainder of this season’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and has now put pen-to-paper on a permanent move from next season.
She scored an impressive 57 on her return to action for Lancashire Thunder during Sunday’s match against Northern Diamonds in Southport.
Jones is currently the leading run-scorer in this summer’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with 540 runs from 13 innings at an average of 49 - striking three half-centuries and two centuries with a best of 136 not out.
32-year-old Jones re-joins the county after playing for Lancashire Women when they won the double (County Championship and T20 Cup) during the 2017 season. Jones also played for Lancashire Thunder in the Kia Super League (KSL) between 2017 and 2019.
The left-handed opener is one of the most experienced players in England’s domestic women’s cricket set-up and has captained the Sparks to the knockout stages of both the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and the Charlotte Edwards Cup in recent years.
Jones has also represented Birmingham Pheonix in The Hundred before making the move to Manchester Originals for the 2024 edition the competition.
In 2021, Jones was named as the first-ever PCA Women's Overall Domestic MVP for her performances in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, Charlotte Edwards Cup and The Hundred, and was later voted the overall PCA Player of the Year.
Eve Jones said: “I am very excited to have returned to Lancashire Thunder on a permanent basis and I am looking forward to entering the new tier one era with this group.
“It has been brilliant to re-join the group for the final few matches of this season and, after spending time with Manchester Originals already this summer, it feels like I have never been away.
“From the outside looking in, it is clear to see the support and investment that has gone into the women’s professional set up at the Club and I am really pleased to have joined the journey for the next three seasons.”
David Thorley, regional director of women’s cricket said: “We are thrilled to announce Eve as our first permanent signing ahead of the 2025 season and our first since being awarded tier one status.
“As I said when she joined us on an initial loan deal, Eve will provide a huge amount of experience to our batting order and also with her leadership skills after playing many seasons as a captain. She knows the county well having previously captained Lancashire Women, played for Lancashire Thunder in the KSL and she really impressed during her time with Manchester Originals.
“Eve scored an accomplished half-century with the bat in Southport yesterday and we are looking forward to seeing her continue her form during the final two matches of the season before starting her three-year contract with Lancashire Thunder.”