Essex Women can confirm that Kelly Castle and Jess Bird will retain their positions as Club Captain and 1st XI Vice Captain for 2024.
Meanwhile, Bella Howarth and Bella Johnson will skipper the Under-18s in 50-over and T20 cricket, respectively, with a decision having been made to split the role for the junior team.
Castle’s side get their 2024 campaign underway at home to Sussex in the ECB County 50-Over competition this Sunday, 21 April, with the game being hosted at Felsted School.
Howarth will then lead the Under-18s in their first game of the season on Sunday 05 May at home to Surrey in the County One-Day Knockout Cup at Wivenhoe Park.
In addition, the full squad for the 2024 season can also now be confirmed:
| Name | Squad Number | Age | Nation | Club | Position | Batting Style | Bowling Style |
| Prisha Bedi | 41 | 16 |  |
Loughton/South Loughton | Bowler | RHB | ROS |
| Jessica Bird (vice-capt) | 8 | 24 | |
Harold Wood | Batter | RHB | |
| Matilda Callaghan | 23 | 24 | |
Billericay | All-rounder | RHB | RMF |
| Kelly Castle (capt) | 7 | 26 | |
Billericay | All-rounder | RHB | RM |
| Sally Chapman | 38 | 18 | |
Loughton/Abridge | All-rounder | LHB | LM |
| Catherine Dalton | 57 | 31 |  |
Gunnersbury | Batter | RHB | |
| Yasmin Daswani | 21 | 29 |  |
Spencer | Wicketkeeper | RHB | |
| Hannah Davis | 20 | 20 | |
Berkhamstead | Bowler | RHB | RLS |
| Hollie Dring-Richardson | 39 | 19 | |
Woolpit/Colchester & East Essex | All-rounder | RHB | RM |
| Bella Howarth (U18 50-over capt) | 40 | 19 | |
Bishop’s Stortford | Batter | LHB | |
| Scarlett Hughes | 84 | 21 | |
Billericay | Wicketkeeper | RHB | |
| Bella Johnson (U18 T20 capt) | 46 | 18 | |
Colchester & East Essex | All-rounder | RHB | ROS |
| Esmae MacGregor | 35 | 19 | |
Colchester & East Essex | All-rounder | RHB | RM |
| Jessica Olorenshaw | 36 | 19 | |
Bishop’s Stortford | Wicketkeeper | RHB | |
| Grace Poole | 2 | 23 | |
Billericay | All-rounder | RHB | RFM |
| Katherine Speed | 17 | 22 | |
St Ives & Warboys | All-rounder | RHB | RFM |
| Amuruthaa Surenkumar | 22 | 17 | |
North London | All-rounder | RHB | RMF |
| Jasmine Westley | 32 | 19 | |
Mildenhall | All-rounder | RHB | RM |
“We are fortunate at the county to many natural leaders within both the Women’s and U18’s Squads,” said Essex Women Head Coach, Paul Davidge. “Kelly, who has led the county flawlessly over the past few years, remains as the captain of both formats alongside her role as club captain.
“Kelly is a selfless leader who show calmness on the field and gets a huge amount from her players. Jess Bird continues as vice-captain; a role she fulfilled brilliantly last year, stepping in on a couple of occasions in the London Championship.
“We have decided this year to split the U18 captaincy between Bella Howarth and Bella Johnson. With an increase in games and competitions the demand on one player at this age seems a big ask.
“Bella Howarth will lead the team in both 50-over competitions with Bella Johnson taking the reins for the T20 campaign after she led the side to the National Title in 2023. Both players are exceptional cricketers and will set high standards on the field of play.”
Women’s Cricket at Chelmsford in 2024
Essex Women begin their season on Sunday 21 April with a ECB County 50-over match against Sussex at Felsted School.
The full fixture list for the 2024 season is available to view here with three fixtures staged at The Cloud County Ground, including the Battle of the Bridge T20 clash against Kent on Wednesday 07 August (6pm start).
England Women return to Chelmsford on Wednesday 29 May with Heather Knight’s team facing Pakistan in a Metro Bank One Day International. Play begins at 1pm for a day/night fixture under the lights at The Cloud County Ground.
Sunrisers will compete in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy (50-over) and Charlotte Edwards Cup (20-over) competitions at The Cloud County Ground with their opening 50-over match taking place on Saturday 27 April (10:30am) against The Blaze.
Tickets for all these fixtures are available now from essexcricket.org.uk and you can visit here for further information.
