Category: News

Shropshire’s Eve Jones is looking forward to watching the ICC T20 World Cup – and thinks it could be an exciting tournament with one or two shocks along the way.

The Lancashire opener was one of the pioneers of the Women and Girls’ cricket in Shropshire when she selected for the county’s very first Women’s XI when she was 10.

She played through the county Age Groups in Shropshire before going on to represent Staffordshire, Lancashire and then Central Sparks as one of the first professional women cricketers in the country before returning to Old Trafford last Summer.

During that time, she has seen the game develop and grow – and is hoping that this World Cup will raise the profile even further and attract more women and girls to get involved.

She was at the opening game at Edgbaston between England and Sri Lanka on Friday night with her Lancashire colleagues to see former team-mate Danni Wyatt-Hodge hit a brilliant century.

The following day she followed it up with a century of her own – reaching the milestone with a six – although Lancashire were just edged out by Warwickshire.

And she is looking forward to seeing more games during the tournament including the clash between Scotland and Sri Lanka at Old Trafford with her club arranging for the Lancashire Women’s side to watch from a box at the ground.

She said: “It’s really exciting to see the World Cup being played in this country – and I think there could be one or two upsets with the Associate sides like Scotland and the Netherlands.

“I remember the effect staging the 2017 tournament in this country had when England won and hopefully this can take the interest to another level again.”

Eve was born and bred in Shropshire and alongside her sister Meg started playing cricket at Whitchurch where her dad Rod (all pictured left) was playing and coaching when she was about four.

“I played in all the Age Groups through to the women’s XI. It was a dream come true to play in the girls’ teams as a youngster – before that Meg and I had been playing in the boys’ teams.

“In those days you used to get a letter in the post to say you’d been selected for the Women’s team. I remember Meg got hers first and I didn’t get one and I thought ‘Oh no, I didn’t get in’.

“Then mine arrived about a week later, it must have got lost in the post – I just remember being so excited to play for Shropshire, my first steps on the ladder. I just remember having fun and really enjoying it. It was a dream come true.”

She remembers the friendships made as one of the best things about being part of the team.

“I was the baby of the side. One of the first games we piled into a minibus and went Warwickshire. They batted first and got plenty and then we were dismissed for about 20. But I remember if really well and it just grew from.

“I also remember going to Taunton for the festival spending a few days there which was so much fun, that was the highlight of the year – just having a laugh with everyone and playing a bit of cricket.”

During her career she has seen big changes in the Women & Girls’ game

“I think going professional was a massive step for the women’s game – it was something I didn’t expect to see during my era. I feel very fortunate to be involved in that.

“And again moving from regional back to aligning with the counties has been positive. It is on a level playing field now, the way we get treated now at Lancashire is exactly the same as the men – we really feel part of the club, it is very professional and has really pushed the game forward.

“The standard is improving year on year. Even at the grand old age of 33 I feel like I’m still getting better. Especially in the T20 format, the game is moving forward so quickly you can’t stand still.

“I’ve really had to develop the power aspect of the game. When I was young it was all about technique but now they’re playing ramps and all the funky shots and technique comes later.”

With lots of games on television during the World Cup, Eve is hoping it encourages lots of young girls and boys to get involved in the game.

“Hopefully it will inspire them to get involved. Not just in playing, but there’s umpiring and scoring – you don’t necessarily have to play but you can be involved in the game.”

Eve is hoping to see some new stars emerge during the World Cup – and thinks her Lancashire team-mate Darcey Carter could have a breakthrough tournament at the top of the order for Scotland.

“I’ve seen what she can do at Lancashire so I’m excited to see how she gets on during the tournament.”

She is also pleased to see Danni Wyatt-Hodge get a good start to the tournament for England, and thinks Australia are the team to beat with such a powerful batting line up.

“They had Nic Carey batting at nine the other day, in any other side she would be in the top five. Their batting is stacked.”

Her semi-final line-up includes Australia, India and England – and she is hoping they will be joined by one of the smaller countries involved.

“I’d love to see one of the smaller nations, whether that be Scotland or Ireland, have an absolute blinder, cause a few upsets and get to the semis.”

It’s the start of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Edgbaston today with the Opening Ceremony and England taking on Sri Lanka.

With excitement building for the month-long tournament, we’ve been speaking to players who have come through the Shropshire pathway and have gone on to make their mark in the women’s game.

First up is opening bowler Caitlin Belcher who played for the Shropshire Age Group teams and also the Shropshire Women’s XI and is now part of the Gloucestershire Women’s squad.

She is looking forward to the tournament and believes it can provide a big boost for the Women and Girls’ game across the country.

Are you looking forward to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – and are you planning to attend any games (where, when)?

I’m super excited for a home women’s World Cup! It will hopefully be huge for the growth of the women’s game. I will be attending the opening game at Edgbaston today.

What’s your cricket background and connection to Shropshire (pathway etc)?

I got into cricket through Chance to Shine at primary school and haven’t looked back since! I was scouted aged 10 for county and played for Shropshire for over 10 years, all the way through to the women’s XI. 

What are your favourite memories of playing in/for Shropshire?

One of my most favourite memories playing for Shropshire was our two-day trip up to Cumbria and Northumberland to play their U15 girls side. A players vs parent game in the evening was why I stopped being a wicket keeper and am now an opening bowler! 

Where are you playing now?

I currently play cricket for Gloucestershire Women in the tier 2 set up.

How have you seen the Women & Girls game grow in recent years?

The growth of the women and girl’s game has been huge. For women to be able to be full time professionals without playing international cricket is phenomenal. 

What impact can you see the World Cup having on the game in Shropshire and beyond?

I hope the World Cup inspires young girls and boys to take up cricket in Shropshire. 

Which players are you looking forward to seeing and why?

I’m most looking forward to seeing Lauren Bell as she’s been consistently taking wickets for England with the new ball. I think she will cause some problems for other team’s batters! 

Who do you think will make the semi-finals?

I think England, New Zealand, India and Australia will be the four teams in the semi-finals. 

Thanks to Caitlin for her time and good luck to her at Gloucestershire. Look out for more from our former and current Shropshire players during the tournament.