The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has taken a significant step towards reshaping the landscape of women’s domestic cricket by confirming the formation of Tier 2 and Tier 3 in the revamped structure. This new system, set to be fully operational by 2025, marks a crucial evolution in the professionalization of women’s cricket within the country.
Ten counties will be competing in Tier 2 during the 2025 season: Derbyshire, Glamorgan, Gloucestershire, Kent, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Middlesex, Sussex, Worcestershire, and Yorkshire. These teams will engage in both 50-over and 20-over formats, with details regarding competition structure and the 2025 schedule to be released at a later date.
Meanwhile, Tier 3 will be open to all National Counties that express interest in participating in the new competitions starting in 2025. This move demonstrates the ECB’s commitment to fostering a more inclusive and accessible environment for women’s cricket at all levels.
Looking ahead, Yorkshire is poised to become a Tier 1 club for the 2026 season, contingent upon meeting a series of predetermined conditions. Glamorgan will follow suit, joining Tier 1 in 2027. The ECB has also set a goal to expand Tier 1 to encompass 12 teams by 2029, signaling their ambitions for continued growth within women’s professional cricket.
To ensure stability during the initial years of this new structure, promotion and relegation will be suspended across all three tiers for the duration of the 2025-2028 seasons.
The ECB has also made a significant announcement regarding a knock-out cup competition that will bring together teams from all three tiers. This competition aims to provide a platform for counties from all levels to compete against each other, giving players the opportunity to test their skills against higher-tier opponents. The cup competition is anticipated to debut in 2025, coinciding with the establishment of the three-tiered structure.
Beth Barrett-Wild, Director of the Women’s Professional Game, expressed excitement about the finalization of the three tiers. She emphasized that this development brings the new landscape of women’s professional domestic cricket one step closer to reality. With up to 39 counties participating in the new structure, Barrett-Wild believes it will not only accommodate the growth of women’s cricket but also accelerate the depth of the game – both on and off the field.
This revamped structure is a testament to the ECB’s commitment to investing in and developing women’s cricket. With £8 million in new funding annually, the total annual investment in women’s domestic cricket will reach approximately £19 million by 2027, underscoring the organization’s dedication to fostering a thriving and competitive environment for women’s cricket in England and Wales.
