Four Sussex Women sign full-time professional contracts

Southern Vipers have confirmed that five players – including captain Georgia Adams – have signed full-time professional contracts.

Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier and Adams’ Sussex Women teammates, Tara Norris and Paige Scholfield have also signed full-time domestic terms with the Vipers, while fellow Sussex star, Linsey Smith has signed full-time domestic terms with Northern Diamonds.

Charlotte Edwards - who worked closely alongside Southern Vipers Regional Director of Cricket, Adam Carty, in driving the recruitment of the Vipers’ five professional players - said: “To be able to award five professional contracts for the Southern Vipers is hugely exciting and a really significant step for our sport.

“We’re looking forward to helping the players to progress courtesy of the opportunity for increased contact time and support. We feel very fortunate to have five outstanding role models who will continue to inspire girls in our region and beyond to get involved in cricket.’’

Adams, Norris, Scholfield, Bell and Bouchier all featured prominently this summer as Southern Vipers went undefeated in the special edition, one-off Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, a competition which culminated in the Vipers lifting the trophy at Edgbaston having beaten Northern Diamonds by 38 runs in the final.

Georgia Adams, Southern Vipers captain, said: “This is something I had only ever dreamt of; I am so proud and honoured to have been named a professional player for the Southern Vipers.

“Being able to focus on cricket full-time will mean I’ll be able to train and push myself to play at the highest level. I know I speak for all of the players when I say we can’t wait to be back on the pitch in 2021 as we look to build on what’s been a fantastic first season together.’’

Left arm seamer, Tara Norris, added: “I am absolutely delighted to be have signed a full-time professional contract. This contract and the opportunity it brings will allow me to continue to develop and hopefully move a step closer to playing international cricket in the future.”

The seven other teams in the new women’s Regional set-up – Northern Diamonds, Thunder, Central Sparks, Lightning, Western Storm, South East Stars and Sunrisers – have also announced confirmation of players signing professional terms, meaning there are now 41 female domestic cricketers who have signed full-time contracts.

Clare Connor, ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, said: “Today’s news is not only wonderful for the players themselves, it represents a step change for our whole domestic game and for young girls who will now be able to see more opportunity and aspiration in front of them.

“When you add in the profile opportunity of The Hundred next year, the landscape looks even more exciting.

“After a challenging year in the wake of the pandemic, I’m really pleased with the progress we’ve made in 2020, just one year after launching our action plan to transform women’s and girls’ cricket.”

Everybody at Sussex Cricket would like to congratulate Adams, Norris, Scholfield and Smith on their full-time contracts.