Three players sign first professional contracts with Lancashire Cricket Women
Lancashire Cricket is delighted to announce that Olivia Brinsden, Skye Thomas and Venus Weerappuli have signed their first professional contracts with the Club ahead of the 2027 season.
All three players are graduates of Lancashire’s Academy and made their senior debuts during the 2026 season. Each has signed a contract until the end of the 2028 season.
Weerappuli, aged 17, was named Lancashire Thunder’s T20 Player of the Year for 2026 after finishing as the side’s leading wicket-taker in the Vitality Blast, claiming 15 wickets at an average of 15. Her best figures of 3-13 came against Yorkshire, while she also took four wickets in the Metro Bank One Day Cup and two in the Vitality T20 County Cup to finish the season with 21 wickets across all competitions.
All-rounder Brinsden made her senior debut in the Vitality T20 County Cup against Durham at Neston Cricket Club, where she claimed her maiden senior wicket. The 20-year-old also made her debuts in the Vitality Blast and Metro Bank One Day Cup, taking a wicket in each competition.
Wicketkeeper-batter Thomas made an immediate impact in the Vitality Blast, scoring an unbeaten 55 against Durham to guide Lancashire to a match-winning victory in a closely contested fixture. The 17-year-old also made her Metro Bank One Day Cup debut against Durham at AO Farington Cricket Ground in September.
Speaking about the new contracts, Head Coach Chris Read said: “We are really pleased to have agreed first professional contracts with three of our most exciting Academy graduates in Olivia, Skye and Venus.
“Not only did they contribute to the First Team last season, but we believe they have the potential to become key players for Lancashire across all formats in the coming years. A strong Academy is something the Club prides itself on, and all three are a great example of the talent coming through our pathway.
“It is really exciting that we have been able to secure some of the Club’s biggest young talents ahead of next season and we look forward to watching them develop their games further.”
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