Lancashire Cricket announces Thunder Academy 2025
13 players have been named on the Lancashire Thunder Academy for the 2024/25 year.
The programme is the First year of the Tier 1 Academy programme, having previously been the regional Academy model since 2020.
Skye Thomas has joined the Academy and becomes the 34th player named to the programme while Grace Johnson has graduated onto a professional contract from last summer.
The group has been taking part in a full winter training programme, which included a tour of Mumbai in February.
The summer playing programme sees the group compete in fixtures against all of the other Tier 1 Academies, in T20, 50 over and two 3-day fixtures.
Head of Girls Talent Pathway, Stewart Davison said: "Congratulations to Skye Thomas, who has been named as the newest member of the group. She has earned the right to be selected through some outstanding performances in County Age Group cricket, and graduates from our EPP programme.
"We're delighted with the progress that the Academy players have made over the winter, including some excellent performances in our pre-season tour of Mumbai.
"We would also like to congratulate Grace Johnson on signing her first professional contract. She set the example for the Academy as a player and leader and really deserves the opportunity. We hope that Grace’s success inspires this group of players to reach First Team level in the future.
"The programme has really grown over the last couple of years and we're excited to be playing so many fixtures this summer, with 25 games planned, including two 3-day games."
Thunder Academy 2025:
- Olivia Brinsden RHB, RF. 31/01/06, Whitehaven - Egremont CC
- Holly Brown RHB, WK. 23/8/08, Burnley – Burnley CC
- Summer Carrington RHB, RF. 8/6/06, Preston - Leyland CC
- Eliza Cottam, RHB, RM. 22/3/07, Burnley - Lowerhouse CC
- Olivia Cunliffe, RHB, RFM. 4/6/07, Blackpool - Leyland CC
- Grace Hemsted RHB, LS. 2/6/08, Wythenshawe – Lindow CC, Ashley CC
- Maeve Jones, RHB, RM. 17/11/05, Blackburn - Ramsbottom CC
- Tilly Kesteven LHB, LS. 30/11/04, Crewe - Porthill Park CC
- Emilia Lamb RHB, RFM. 24/10/05, Warrington - Newton Le Willows CC
- Martha Rimmer RHB, RFM 17/9/06, Ormskirk – Ormskirk CC
- Amelia Sammons RHB, RFM. 2/3/07, Oldham - Stockport Georgians CC
- Skye Thomas RHB, WK, 17/02/2009, Wythenshawe - Stockport Georgians CC (new)
- Venus Weerappuli RHB, LS. 4/11/2009, London – Tongpark Esholt CC