England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) Introduces New Women’s Domestic Cricket Structure for 2025
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recently announced the formation of Tier 2 and Tier 3 in its revamped women’s domestic cricket structure, which is set to come into full effect in 2025. Ten counties including Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Middlesex, Sussex, Worcestershire, and Yorkshire will form Tier 2 of the competition. These counties will participate in both 50-over and 20-over competitions, with more details on the overall structure and schedule to be released soon.
In addition, Tier 3 status will be available to all National Counties who wish to take part in the new competition starting from 2025. The ECB has also unveiled plans for a knock-out cup competition that will feature teams from all three tiers. This cup competition aims to offer all Counties the chance to compete against each other, play at prominent venues across the country, and allow players across all levels to showcase their skills on a larger stage.
The ECB anticipates launching the cup competition in 2025 alongside the implementation of the three-tiered structure. Previously, Durham, Essex, Surrey, Hampshire, Lancashire, Nottinghamshire, Somerset, and Warwickshire were confirmed to be part of Tier 1 in the new domestic cricket structure.
Beth Barrett-Wild, director of the women’s professional game, expressed her excitement about the finalized three-tier system, stating that it will bring women’s professional domestic cricket one step closer to a new landscape. She highlighted the importance of this step for women’s cricket and the sport in general, emphasizing the growth and depth that the new structure will bring to the women’s game both on and off the field.
Looking ahead, Yorkshire is set to become a Tier 1 Club for the 2026 season, pending the fulfillment of specific conditions, while Glamorgan is expected to join Tier 1 in 2027. The ECB has ambitious plans to expand Tier 1 to include 12 teams by 2029.
For the 2025-2028 seasons, all three tiers will be ‘closed’, meaning there will be no promotion or relegation during this period. The ECB revealed that the plans outlined thus far will result in an additional £8 million of funding being invested annually into women’s domestic cricket by 2027, increasing the total annual investment in this area to £19 million.
This significant investment is expected to lead to a thriving and sustainable women’s domestic pyramid beneath The Hundred and England Women, with more professional female players, increased financial backing, and improved alignment between the men’s and women’s game.
In conclusion, the ECB’s new women’s domestic cricket structure marks a major step forward for the sport, with a focus on growth, development, and creating a more inclusive and competitive environment for female players. The upcoming seasons promise to be exciting as the new structure takes shape and enhances the landscape of women’s cricket in England and Wales.