English women's cricket team
Cricket team
North West Thunder , commonly referred to as Thunder , were a women's cricket team that represented Lancashire and North West England , one of eight regional hubs in English domestic women's cricket. They played their home matches at various grounds, including Old Trafford Cricket Ground .[ 1] [ 2] They were captained by Eleanor Threlkeld and coached by Chris Read .[ 3] [ 4] The team carried over many elements of the WCSL team Lancashire Thunder , but were partnered with Lancashire , Cheshire and Cumbria .[ 5]
At the end of the 2024 season, following reforms to the structure of women's domestic cricket, the team was effectively replaced by a professionalised Lancashire team.[ 6]
History
In 2020, women's cricket in England was restructured, creating eight new 'regional hub' teams, with the intention of playing both 50-over and 20-over cricket.[ 7] North West Thunder were one of the sides created under this structure, effectively replacing the Women's Cricket Super League team Lancashire Thunder and representing Lancashire and North West England , partnering with Lancashire , Cheshire and Cumbria .[ 5] The side was to be captained by Alex Hartley and coached by Paul Shaw .[ 8] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the 2020 season was truncated, and only 50-over cricket was played, in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy .[ 9] North West Thunder finished third in the North Group of the competition, winning two of their six matches.[ 10] At the end of the season, five Thunder players were given full-time domestic contracts, the first of their kind in England: Alex Hartley, Georgie Boyce , Emma Lamb , Eleanor Threlkeld and Hannah Jones .[ 11]
The following season, 2021, North West Thunder competed in both the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and the newly-formed Twenty20 competition, the Charlotte Edwards Cup . In the Charlotte Edwards Cup the side finished third in their group, winning two of their six matches, as well as their away match against Sunrisers ending in a tie.[ 12] [ 13] Thunder batter Emma Lamb hit the first Charlotte Edwards Cup century in the reverse fixture against Sunrisers, as her side made the highest team score of the tournament, 186/1.[ 14] [ 15] In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, the team finished seventh in the group of eight, winning three of their seven matches.[ 16] North West Thunder bowler Hannah Jones was the joint-second highest wicket-taker in the tournament, with 14 wickets.[ 17]
North West Thunder take the field during their match against Western Storm in May 2023.
Ahead of the 2022 season, Hartley stood down as captain of the side.[ 18] Eleanor Threlkeld was named as her replacement.[ 3] The side finished third in their group in the Charlotte Edwards Cup that season, winning two of their six matches.[ 19] The side finished seventh in the group of eight in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy .[ 20]
In 2023, the side qualified for the knockout stages of a tournament for the first time, doing so in the Charlotte Edwards Cup after winning four of their last five matches.[ 21] However, they lost in the semi-final to Southern Vipers .[ 22] The side finished seventh in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy , winning three matches.[ 23] Head Coach Paul Shaw stepped down from his role at the end of the season, and was later replaced by Chris Read .[ 24] [ 4] In 2024, the side finished fifth in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and finished sixth in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy .[ 25] [ 26]
2024 was the side's final season, with reforms to the structure of domestic cricket in England meaning that the side was effectively replaced by a professionalised Lancashire team.[ 6]
Home grounds
Players
Current squad
Final squad, 2024 season.[ 27]
No. denotes the player's squad number, as worn on the back of their shirt.
‡ denotes players with international caps.
Academy
The North West Thunder Academy team played against other regional academies in friendly and festival matches across various formats. The Academy selected players from across the North West region, and included some players who were also in the first team squad. Players in the 2024 Academy are listed below:[ 28]
Overseas players
Coaching staff
Head Coach: Chris Read
Regional Director: David Thorley
Senior Regional Talent Manager: Jen Barden
As of the 2024 season. [ 8]
Seasons
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
Season
Final standing
League standings[ 29]
Notes
P
W
L
T
NR
BP
Pts
NRR
Pos
2020
Group stage
6
2
4
0
0
1
9
−0.515
3rd
DNQ
2021
Group stage
7
3
4
0
0
1
13
−0.620
7th
DNQ
2022
Group stage
7
1
5
0
1
0
6
−0.366
7th
DNQ
2023
Group stage
14
3
5
2
4
2
26
−0.274
7th
DNQ
2024
Group stage
14
5
8
0
1
3
25
−0.013
6th
DNQ
Charlotte Edwards Cup
Season
Final standing
League standings
Notes
P
W
L
T
NR
BP
Pts
NRR
Pos
2021
Group stages
6
2
3
1
0
1
11
+0.029
3rd
DNQ
2022
Group stages
6
2
4
0
0
2
10
–0.190
3rd
DNQ
2023
Losing semi-finalists: 3rd
7
4
3
0
0
2
18
+0.331
3rd
Lost to Southern Vipers in the semi-final
2024
Group stages
10
3
6
0
1
1
15
–0.727
5th
DNQ
Statistics
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy – summary of results[ 30]
Year
Played
Wins
Losses
Tied
NR
Win %
2020
6
2
4
0
0
33.33
2021
7
3
4
0
0
42.86
2022
7
1
5
0
1
14.29
2023
14
3
5
2
4
21.43
2024
14
5
8
0
1
35.71
Total
48
14
26
2
6
29.17
Abandoned matches are counted as NR (no result)
Win or loss by super over or boundary count are counted as tied.
Charlotte Edwards Cup
Charlotte Edwards Cup - summary of results
Year
Played
Wins
Losses
Tied
NR
Win %
2021
6
2
3
1
0
33.33
2022
6
2
4
0
0
33.33
2023
8
4
4
0
0
50.00
2024
10
3
6
0
1
30.00
Total
30
11
17
1
1
36.67
Abandoned matches are counted as NR (no result)
Win or loss by super over or boundary count are counted as tied.
Records
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
Charlotte Edwards Cup
See also
Notes
References
^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Fixtures" . England and Wales Cricket Board . Retrieved 6 June 2021 .
^ "Women's Regional T20 2021 - Fixtures" . England and Wales Cricket Board . Retrieved 6 June 2021 .
^ a b "Thunder confirms squad and announces Threlkeld captain" . Lancashire Cricket . 11 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022 .
^ a b "Chris Read named Thunder Head Coach" . Lancashire Cricket. 24 November 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2023 .
^ a b "Thunder Cricket About" . Lancashire Cricket. Retrieved 1 January 2021 .
^ a b "Eight Tier 1 Counties confirmed for 2025 and plans unveiled for four more women's professional domestic teams by 2029" . England and Wales Cricket Board. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ "ECB launches new plan to transform women's and girls' cricket" . England and Wales Cricket Board . Retrieved 26 September 2021 .
^ a b "Thorley aiming high as Women's Regional Director" . Lancashire Cricket. Retrieved 8 April 2021 .
^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy: The special-edition 50-over competition explained" . the Cricketer . 11 August 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2021 .
^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2020/Table" . ESPNCricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2021 .
^ "Forty-one female players sign full-time domestic contracts" . England and Wales Cricket Board . Retrieved 26 September 2021 .
^ "Charlotte Edwards Cup 2021/Table" . ESPNCricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2021 .
^ "Thunder tie thriller with Sunrisers, thanks to Kate Cross-Hannah Jones death bowling" . ESPNCricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2021 .
^ "Emma Lamb becomes first Charlotte Edwards Cup centurion as Thunder strike down Sunrisers" . ESPNCricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021/Highest Totals" . ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021 .
^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2021/Table" . ESPNCricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021/Most Wickets" . ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021 .
^ "Alex Hartley steps down as Thunder Captain" . Lancashire Cricket. 14 April 2022. Retrieved 14 April 2022 .
^ "Charlotte Edwards Cup 2022/Table" . ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 June 2022 .
^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2022/Table" . ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022 .
^ "Olivia Bell conjures dream spell as Diamonds all but vanish from Finals Day race" . ESPNcricinfo. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Wyatt, Bouchier fireworks take Southern Vipers into Charlotte Edwards Cup final" . ESPNcricinfo. 10 June 2023. Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2023" . England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Paul Shaw to step down as Thunder Head Coach" . Lancashire Cricket. Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2024 - Points Table" . ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ "Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024 - Points Table" . ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ "Thunder Cricket" . Lancashire Cricket. Retrieved 14 April 2024 .
^ "Thunder Academy intake announced for 2024" . Lancashire Cricket . 29 November 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023 .
^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Tables" . ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 January 2021 .
^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Tables" . ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 January 2021 .
^ "Thunder Match Results" . ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 January 2021 .
^ a b "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Thunder/Highest totals" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 4 September 2021 .
^ a b "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Thunder/Highest totals" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2021 .
^ a b "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Thunder/Highest totals" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 27 September 2022 .
^ a b "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - Thunder/Highest totals" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ a b "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - Thunder/Highest totals" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Thunder/High scores" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 4 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Thunder/High scores" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Thunder/High scores" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 27 September 2022 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - Thunder/High scores" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - Thunder/High scores" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Thunder/Best bowling figures in an innings" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 4 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Thunder/Best bowling figures in an innings" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Thunder/Best bowling figures in an innings" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 27 September 2022 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - Thunder/Best bowling figures in an innings" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - Thunder/Best bowling figures in an innings" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Thunder/Most runs" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 4 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Thunder/Most runs" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Thunder/Most runs" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 27 September 2022 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - Thunder/Most runs" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - Thunder/Most runs" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Thunder/Most wickets" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 4 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Thunder/Most wickets" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Thunder/Most wickets" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 27 September 2022 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - Thunder/Most wickets" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - Thunder/Most wickets" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ a b "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Thunder/Highest Totals" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 5 September 2021 .
^ a b "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Thunder/Highest Totals" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 5 June 2022 .
^ a b "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - Thunder/Highest Totals" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ a b "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - Thunder/Highest Totals" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Thunder/High Scores" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 5 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Thunder/High Scores" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 5 June 2022 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - Thunder/High Scores" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - Thunder/High Scores" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Thunder/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 5 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Thunder/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 5 June 2022 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - Thunder/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - Thunder/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Thunder/Most runs" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 5 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Thunder/Most runs" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 5 June 2022 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - Thunder/Most runs" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - Thunder/Most runs" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Thunder/Most wickets" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 5 September 2021 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Thunder/Most wickets" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 5 June 2022 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - Thunder/Most wickets" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 26 September 2023 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - Thunder/Most wickets" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 25 September 2024 .
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National Teams Associations Men's First-Class Counties (18)Women's Regional Teams (8) The Hundred Teams (8) (Men and Women) Men's National Counties (21)Women's Counties (34) Other Men's First-Class Teams (1) MCC Universities (6) Major Competitions Defunct Major Competitions Other Competitions Grounds Lists Other