There is a well-known phrase which suggests, ‘Never go back’. For dynamic top order batter Ami Campbell, however, she absolutely does not subscribe to that view having returned to Headingley this winter to join Yorkshire Women.
Left-hander Campbell spent the first two years of the regional era with the Headingley-based Northern Diamonds before signing her maiden professional contract with Midlanders Central Sparks ahead of 2022.
Geordie Campbell – now 33 – spent her University days in Leeds, so it was an easy decision to say yes when Yorkshire came calling ahead of the new tiered, county structure.
“It was always my intention to come back up North at some point,” she said.
“It was a no-brainer for me to come here, and probably the best decision I’ve made in my career so far.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to come here and be a part of the movement that’s going on at Yorkshire and in the Women’s game at the moment.”
Picture by YCCC. Ami Campbell in the nets at Headingley this winter.
Since debuting for Northumberland in 2008, Campbell has made 147 senior appearances in both List A and T20 cricket, including in the Hundred either side of the Pennines for the Northern Superchargers and the Manchester Originals.
She has scored 2,641 runs with one century and 13 fifties.
Campbell has signed a three-year contract with Yorkshire, giving her plenty of opportunity to swell those numbers and chase the silverware which just eluded her in the regional era.
She was a beaten finalist three times with the Diamonds and Sparks between 2020 and 2022.
“It’s been a great experience,” she continued. “Yorkshire is a great place to be, and I feel right at home. There are still some familiar faces from when I was here years ago, and I’ve just slotted straight back in.
“The games are coming up on the horizon fast now.
Picture by YCCC. Former Northern Diamond Ami Campbell is loving being back at Headingley after a spell with Central Sparks.
“The winter’s been productive and fun, it’s been challenging.
“I’m not going to lie, it’s been really, really hard work. The difference between Tier 1 and Tier 2 isn’t different at all here at Yorkshire in terms of how they do things. If anything, I’ve found it harder than previous pre-seasons.
“We’re trying to build those foundations, and it’s been really exciting to be a part of.
“The girls have all come together, and we get on like a house on fire.
“The coaches as well, they’ve been unbelievable. They’ve set the standards and made sure we’re enjoying it. I really like their approach to things.”
Campbell spent some time in Perth at the start of the year, training in the sunshine rather than playing.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Yorkshire Women’s head coach Rich Pyrah (r) and his assistant Chris Brice have overseen training at Headingley in the lead-up to 2025.
The rest of it has been spent improving her game in the indoor nets at Headingley under the watchful eye of head coach Rich Pyrah and his assistant Chris Brice.
“It’s been a lot of technique stuff,” she said.
“I like the way the coaches have gone about getting me to channel my strength, which is power-hitting. But also, it’s been about realising that I can be very good technically and to not forget about those things as well.
“They’ve given me the freedom to work towards the role they want me to fill this season – being that senior player and setting the example.
“Even though a lot of the girls are young, it doesn’t necessarily feel that way.
“I was joking to Jess Woolston the other day and saying that she’s got a better head on her than I have at times!
Picture by Gareth Copley/Getty Images. Batter Ami Campbell in her Central Sparks days.
“They are young, but they’ve all got mature heads on them, and they’ve adapted well to this new situation they’re in.
“Yes, I’m there to guide them where I can, but we’ve all come together as a collective and are helping each other out. If there is any advice I need to throw out there, I will do and make sure I have a voice.
“That’s perhaps something I’ve not really had in other teams, so I’ve enjoyed that a lot. It’s probably given me a bit more confidence as well.”
Yorkshire’s first competitive fixture of the summer comes in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup against Worcestershire at Headingley on Saturday April 19.
Before then, they travel to Abu Dhabi for a pre-season tour running from March 24 to April 4.
“I think it will be really, really important for the squad to get together in that high-pressure environment,” she added.
Picture by Chris Hyde/Getty Images. Lauren Winfield-Hill is returning to Headingley this week having spent her winter with Queensland. They were beaten in Saturday’s WNCL 50-over final by New South Wales.
“It’s all good and well getting on with each other when we’re in the nets and things are running smoothly.
“Some of the Academy girls are coming on tour with us as well, which shows how much Yorkshire are trying to push things forward.
“We have some really talented Academy players coming through, and it will be a big challenge for them – to see how they cope in that environment. It will be massive for them in terms of experience.
“We’ve had a few players away this winter, so it will be a great way to integrate them back in. We’re all looking forward to having Lauren (Winfield-Hill), Sterre (Kalis) and Ducky (Rebecca Duckworth) back from Australia.
“They’re big characters, and they have a lot of experience.
“It will be a good to put everything that we’ve worked on in the winter into a high-pressure environment. We are going to take it very seriously and try and learn as much as we possibly can whilst we’re out there.”
