West Women’s Cricket

An article contributed by Matthew Kingdom.

Early Years (1930-1946)

In the early 20th century, domestic women’s cricket in England was organised regionally. In the 1930s, five “Territories” were defined by the Women’s Cricket Association (WCA): North, Midlands, South, East and West. West Women (sometimes referred to as West of England or Western Counties Women), played their first recorded match on 23rdJune 1930, against Midlands Women at Bournville Cricket Ground in Birmingham – the match was drawn after “deluges of rain delayed the start”. 

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The Past and Future of Women’s Cricket in Somerset

Reflections from interviews with Kieran Peters and Jan Godman – article contributed by Matt Kingdom

An audio version of this article is added here

In September 2023, I sat down with Kieran Peters and Jan Godman to discuss the history and state of the Somerset Women’s cricket team, and the wider themes of their careers and cricket in the South West.

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Taunton – The Home of Women’s Cricket

Article contributed by Matthew Kingdom

An audio version of this article has been added here

On 29th August 2006, on Day 1 of the England v India Women’s Test match at the County Ground, Taunton, it was announced that Taunton would become the new “Home of England Women’s Cricket”, with the aim of hosting at least one women’s international match at the ground each year, as well as key domestic matches and training camps.

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Somerset Women

Article contributed by Matthew Kingdom

An audio version of this article has been added here

Women’s cricket in England developed throughout the 20thcentury under the auspices of the Women’s Cricket Association (WCA). In the 1930s, the first “County Associations” were formed, each affiliating to one of five Territorial Associations: North, Midlands, South, East and West.

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Western Storm

Article contributed by Matthew Kingdom


The Kia Super League era (2016-2019)

In 2016, the Kia Super League (KSL) was created, a semi-professional T20 league consisting of six teams, reflecting the increasing popularity of women’s cricket and aiming to drive up standards in the women’s game. Somerset CCC partnered with Gloucestershire CCC and the University of Exeter to form Western Storm, representing the South West of England and led by England captain Heather Knight. Sophie Luff, Anya Shrubsole and overseas player Lizelle Lee were the three [Somerset] representatives in the squad alongside former players Izzy Westbury and Fran Wilson.

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Somerset Wanderers Ladies Cricket Club – Club History

Article contributed by Nicky Tranter.

I started teaching Physical Education in Bath September 1966, and offered cricket as an optional extra sport.

Somerset had a Ladies County Team at that time, and I went to the County Trials in 1967 taking 3 girls from the school with me. However there were very few matches and the last straw was one weekend when I travelled to Weston-super-Mare from Bath – by public transport – only to find the ground deserted: no-one told me the match had been cancelled! The County Team folded in 1968 and I decided that if I wanted to play the only way forward was to form my own team.

Audio version of Article

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