Scorer Holly heads to ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
Shropshire-based scorer Holly Eccleston is looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup this weekend.
Shropshire-based scorer Holly Eccleston is looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup this weekend.
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.
Two Shropshire clubs are planning Catch the Spirit parties as part of the celebrations to coincide with the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Frankwell Cricket Club welcomed some of Shropshire’s most talented young cricketers yesterday as nine schools competed in the Chance to Shine U13 Girls County Finals.
Cricket Shropshire’s Women’s XI survived an early scare to claim two more wins when they hosted Lincolnshire in their latest Vitality Blast League 3 Division 2B fixtures at Newport CC.
The countdown to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales is in full swing – and clubs in Shropshire can join in the fun.
Opening bowlers Kate Brazier and Freya Jones held their nerve to see Cricket Shropshire’s Women’s XI maintain their unbeaten record in their Vitality Blast League 3 Division 2B campaign in Cumbria.
Cricket Shropshire’s Women & Girls’ Officer Naomi Payne is staging a special event for coaches involved in the Women and Girls’ game this week.
The long trip to Northumberland proved well worthwhile for Shropshire’s Women’s XI as they returned with two more wins in their T20 Vitality Blast League 3 Division 2B campaign.
Cricket Shropshire launched the Women & Girls outdoor season with a brilliant Astroturf Festival at Wrekin College.