NCCA Women's Team Set for Historic Debut

The NCCA Women’s team will make history when they make their debut at the inaugural Women’s European Championship in Spain this weekend. 

The National Counties men’s team are no strangers to the Cartama Oval near Malaga as they have won the Dream 11 European twice in three years, first in 2021 and again in October having finished as runners-up in 2022. 

Now it is the turn of the newly-formed Women’s team who will represent the NCCA as an England XI, who will take on Austria, Netherland, Italy and hosts Spain in the T10 competition that starts on Sunday December 17 and concludes with Finals Day on Friday December 22. 

“It is so exciting to be able to take a women's team to Spain to participate in the first tournament of its kind,” said Richard Logan, Team Manager and NCCA Operations Director. 

“In the past three years, the boys who participated in the ECC gained significant experience and exposure, which helped them progress in their cricket careers. 

“I believe these extremely talented female cricketers will have a similar experience and exposure that will help them grow in their careers.” 

The England XI will be coached by former England Test player Beth Morgan, who is now Head of the Emerging Player Programme for the Southern Vipers. 

The 13-strong squad includes some of England’s exciting emerging players including Maddie Ward, a batter/wicketkeeper and off-spinner, who has already represented England Under-19s and Cassidy McCarthy, who played for Trent Rockets in the Women’s Hundred last season. 

As with the men's team, the women’s team will compete in the European Championship as England XI and the competition will give the players valuable exposure to international cricket against some of Europe’s main emerging cricketing nations. 

England XI will play the other four competing countries twice during the week to determine the line-up for Finals Day. 

The campaign opens against Austria on Sunday December 17 at 12.45pm and England X1 then face a double-header on December 18 against Italy (8.45am) and Netherlands (2.45pm). 

There is one match on December 19 against Spain at 12.45pm and consecutive double-headers on December 20 against Austria (8.45am) and Italy (2.45pm) and on December 21 against Spain (8.45am) and Netherlands (12.45pm). 

England Women XI 

Meg Austin (Staffordshire and Central Sparks), Beth Ellis (Warwickshire and Central Sparks), Beth Gammon (Wales), Shaci Pai (Lancashire Thunder), Libby Thomas (Wales and Central Sparks Academy), Millie Taylor (Southern Vipers Academy), Maddie Ward (Nottinghamshire), Ria Fackrell (Warwickshire and Central Sparks), Chiara Green (Sussex), Megan Sturge (Kent and Southern Vipers), Amy Wheeler (Staffordshire),Cassidy McCarthy (Sussex and Trent Rockets), Daisy Gibb (Sussex and Southern Vipers Academy). 

Coach: Beth Morgan 

Manager: Richard Logan 

Image Credit: ECC