INTERVIEW: Threlkeld and Morris discuss start of pre-season for Lancashire Women
Lancashire Women may only be in the early stages of their pre-season training programme, but the excitement and confidence is already building ahead of the start of the 2025 summer.
The Red Rose recently returned to pre-season training, a squad boosted by a trio of new signings in Darcey Carter, Eve Jones and Grace Potts.
Next summer marks the start of a new era for the women’s domestic game in England, with all counties, plus some national counties, split into three tiers.
Tier 1, which Lancashire will play in, is the only one which is fully professional.
All teams are now aligned with counties as opposed to it being regional, as the domestic structure was between 2020 and 2024.
For a lot of clubs and players, this winter and next summer will see significant change. Tier 1 rivals Durham immediately spring to mind, for example.
But for Lancashire, not much has changed, which is a huge positive for the players, as captain Ellie Threlkeld explains.
“It’s nice to officially be Lancashire, but it feels like we’ve been like that for a long time,” said the wicketkeeper-batter. “A lot of clubs are talking about a fresh start, and for us it’s not, which is brilliant.
“We’ve been so well supported by the club over the last few years.
“We had our values meeting the other day as a squad and spoke about how special this club is and how playing cricket here is more than just playing cricket. Wearing the badge with pride is something we’re all aspiring to do.”
Lancashire, who will maintain their Thunder identity in only T20 cricket, are preparing for a shot at silverware in 2025.
That was something they missed out on in the regional era, only qualifying for one T20 Finals Day in 2023 when they were beaten semi-finalists by Southern Vipers at New Road.
Last season, they missed out on knockout qualification in both the 50-over Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and the Charlotte Edwards Cup T20 competition. Overall, they won a third of their matches across the two competitions; eight of 24 fixtures.
All-rounder Fi Morris, however believes good things are on the horizon.
“The last couple of summers have been more frustrating than anything else, especially the last one just gone, because we know how close we are,” she said.
“We were on the wrong end of a few tight games and then lost our way in the middle. But we just needed a bit more experience in that top order, and Eve coming in is exactly what we need. She’s had a massive impact on our group already.
“With Grace, she’s a really exciting, tall fast bowler. And Darcey, she’s a dynamic middle order batter and off-spinner.
“The amount of talent coming through, the amount of passion that we’ve got - how together we are as a team is one of our massive strengths - I’ve got absolutely no doubts that we’ll be fine next summer.”
With Morris referencing the talent coming through, Academy captain and all-rounder Grace Johnson is the obvious example of that. The Ramsbottom star made her senior debut in 2024 and has just signed her maiden professional contract at Emirates Old Trafford.
Threlkeld said: “It’s been really exciting to see those players come through. I’ve spent a bit of time with our Academy as well, and there are other promising players on there.
“It shows how good a pathway we’ve got here at Lancashire.
“The girls who played last year, Grace Johnson for example, did really well. She’s been rewarded with a contract, which is amazing. As much as it’s brilliant for us to have Johnno on board, for the younger girls it shows them they can have a career if they work hard enough.
“The pathway’s brilliant and is keeping us senior girls on our toes, which is great.”
While spin bowling all-rounder Carter adds to Lancashire’s Scottish contingent, in top order batter Jones and fast bowler Potts the county have recruited two Central Sparks players with England A experience in recent years.
“I think they’ll bring a lot on and off the field,” said Threlkeld.
“I’ve known Eve a long time. She started her career here at Lancashire and is one of my good mates. I’ve played with her and Grace in the Hundred as well, so I know what they’re about and am really impressed.
“It’s nice to have them around.
“Eve and Darcey played a couple of games for us at the back end of the season. Eve has played loads of games and has captained a lot as well. To have her on the field made a huge difference.”
While head coach Chris Read took charge of Lancashire last summer, he only arrived at the club at the start of January, meaning this is his first full winter working with the squad.
“He’s brilliant,” said Threlkeld. “I can’t speak highly enough of him. I’ve really enjoyed working with him, and I know all the other girls have as well.
“Personally, he captained and kept at Notts for 10 years, so it’s a bit of a dream to have him as head coach. The short while we’ve worked together, I’ve definitely learnt a lot.”
And of winter training and the summer ahead, the skipper added: “Really excited. It’s going really well. We’ve got a great group. and I’m really looking forward to the season already. It feels like a long way away, but it flies around.”
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