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Somerset Women name 2024 squad
Somerset County Cricket Club have named the Women’s squad for 2024.
Emily Edgcombe will once again captain the side, with Joleigh Roberts named as vice-captain.
Following the announcement of the squad, Pathway Coach & Women & Girls Lead, Kieran Peters said: “We’re really excited by the squad that we’ve assembled for the summer and we’re really confident in the 14 players that we’ve got in the group.
“There’s a nice mix of players who have a good deal of experience of playing women’s county cricket alongside some new faces. There’s a good blend of youth and experience and we’re pleased with how things are shaping up. That blend is something that’s really important to us. It’s vital to have a good mix of experienced players alongside those who have really impressed across the Pathway and have earned the right to be challenged at the next level.
“The women’s schedule looks slightly different this year and is spread out across the whole summer this year. Whilst that’s really good for the game, it does result in quite a lot of clashes with the professional game. With this in mind, we wanted to go with a settled squad who will be involved week in, week out. That will also give them the opportunity to grow and evolve as a group. Having said that, if we feel that it is appropriate for one of the professional players to join us, and their timetable allows, then that is certainly something that we would consider.”
The 2024 squad is:
Emily Edgcombe (C)
Joleigh Roberts (VC)
Jess Hazell
Daisy Jeanes
Nicole Harvey
Lorraine Szczepanski
Lola Harris
Alice Bird
Emma Phillipson
Evie Dixon
Lilly Hawkins
Karla Rose
Laila Moledina
Tilly Bond
The 2024 season will see more 50-over cricket and the introduction of national final in the T20 competition, which Kieran is delighted to see.
“It’s really good that the ECB have recognised the importance of 50-over cricket within the women’s game,” he explained. “To have additional 50-over games is so important because our players need to be experiencing different formats and it’s good that the ECB have taken the step of organising the competition and adding it to the schedule. It’s also great to see that the T20 competition will end with a national final. It was great to be able to win our group last year, but the prospect of a national final is something that is really exciting.”
Somerset Women will once again play at the Cooper Associates County Ground this summer when they take on Gloucestershire in a 50-over match on Sunday July 14th. What does this mean to the players?
“It’s always a really good day when we play here. It’s a day that they all really value and we’re grateful to the Club for facilitating this again in 2024.”
Kieran is also excited to see how the team will develop under the leadership of Emily and Joleigh.
“Emily had a really good year, led by example and managed the group really well. She had a very positive impact on what we were trying to achieve and has certainly helped to move the group forward.
“Joleigh will be taking on that role this year, and I know that she will work really well with Emily. I’m really looking forward to them leading the team forward across the summer and hopefully beyond.
“I’m also pleased to be able to reveal that Dave Roberts will continue his role as Head Coach. Dave has developed an outstanding relationship with the players during his time with the Club and I believe that he is certainly the right person to help take the group forward.”
What would constitute success for Somerset Women in 2024?
“We definitely want to make that national final in the T20s. The group is bigger which means it will be tougher, but we want to be competing for silverware. In the 50-over competition, we want to be competitive and demonstrate the way in which we want to be playing our cricket.”
