Cricket has been in my life for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest and happiest memories are of watching my Dad play club cricket at Preston Nomads CC in the South Downs, desperate to be part of it and trying to learn everything I could about the game. That love of the game stayed with me and was nurtured through school, into the Sussex pathway and eventually to England, where I went on to play over 100 times at international level.
I was proud to captain England Women for six years and in 2005 I led the team to our first Ashes win in 42 years. After retiring from playing, I continued my teaching career and enjoyed a few years of media work, but what has mattered most to me is helping build a better future for women's cricket. I joined the ECB in 2008 at a time when women’s cricket had far less visibility and I was the only person solely focused on the women’s game. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of helping oversee a transformational period for the game, including the introduction of England Women’s professional contracts, landmark tournament successes and huge growth in profile, professionalism and opportunity for women and girls, on and off the pitch.
Today I am Deputy CEO at the ECB and Managing Director of England Women, and I also chair the ICC Women’s Cricket Committee. I was the first female President of MCC, which felt like another meaningful step in showing that cricket’s institutions, as well as its playing fields, should reflect everyone who loves the game.
If you’re thinking about getting involved, I’d encourage you to take that step. The game is thriving and I believe that more people than ever can say, with confidence, that cricket is game for everyone.