Ami Campbell says she is “buzzing” to be back at Headingley having signed for Yorkshire Women earlier this winter. 

Explosive left-hander Campbell returned to LS6 on a three-year contract in late October having previously represented the Northern Diamonds in regional cricket. She initially left for Central Sparks ahead of the 2022 summer.

Upon the announcement of her signature, Campbell – 33-years-old – said that this was “the best decision for me at this stage of my career”.

She is a three-time regional finalists, both with the Diamonds and the Sparks, and is confident of being able to challenge for more trophies with the white rose on her chest.

Campbell is excited by the challenge of not only scoring runs but helping the squad’s younger players progress. 

The Newcastle Upon Tyne-born batter has also hailed coaching duo Rich Pyrah and Chris Brice – Yorkshire’s head coach and assistant coach respectively – and believes they will ensure she plays her best cricket in 2025 and beyond.

NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - JUNE 11: Ami Campbell of Central Sparks hits runs during the Charlotte Edwards Cup Final between Southern Vipers and Central Sparks at The County Ground on June 11, 2022 in Northampton, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

Picture by George Wood/Getty Images. Ami Campbell bats for the Central Sparks during her three years at Edgbaston.

“It was time for a bit of a change for me, and the support Yorkshire have given me so far has been brilliant,” said Campbell, who is currently out in Perth undertaking a month of warm-weather training. 

“It feels different this time. I will be one of the senior players now, helping the young ones come through. It will definitely be a different role in the squad, but that’s something I’m really excited about.

“The plans Yorkshire have in place for the women’s game look really exciting. 

“The women’s game is developing fast. Where it’s got to in the last two or three years has been amazing, and Yorkshire are right at the forefront of that.

“I just know what this club’s like. They do things properly. I know that everything they’ve promised will go ahead.

“They want to push the women’s section further forward than they already have. I’m buzzing to be a part of it.”

Ami Campbell

Picture by Will Palmer/SWpix.com. Ami Campbell celebrates a wicket whilst fielding for the Northern Diamonds in the 2021 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final defeat against Southern Vipers at Northampton.

Campbell has played county cricket for Durham, Yorkshire and Worcestershire, regional cricket for the

Diamonds and Sparks and also in the Hundred for Northern Superchargers and the Manchester Originals.

She is closing in on 3,000 senior runs in List A and T20 cricket but insists she has a lot more to give.

“The Sparks was a decent move in terms of it being my first professional contract, and I had to leave my job for it. But I’m really glad that I took that risk,” she continued. “Even though, personally, I don’t think I played my best cricket at Sparks, I feel like I learnt a lot.

“We had some great highs there but also some great lows. That’s all part of the learning process. 

“I feel like I’m a lot better equipped as a cricketer because of those ups and downs across three years to move onto something different and go full steam ahead.

Ami Campbell

Picture by Jan Kruger – ECB via Getty Images. Ami Campbell on Hundred duty with the Manchester Originals in 2022, when she was a team-mate of England star Sophie Ecclestone and (left) Ellie Threlkeld, the current Lancashire captain.

“It was a great move for me at the time, but it was definitely time for me to move on as well and progress my career with Yorkshire.

“I’m excited to work with Rich and Bricey, who I’m close to. I know they will get the best out of me.

“I’m excited to work with coaches who I know understand me as a person. That’s a big thing when you really connect with your coaches and they know you inside out.

“Bricey knows me very well as a person, and I trust that he knows how to get the best out of me. 

“I can’t wait to put into practice what I’ve learnt over the last three years, in an environment where I feel really comfortable and playing alongside someone like Lauren (Winfield-Hill) again. It will almost be nostalgic to get back on the pitch with her again. 

“Even though we’re the same age, I’ve looked up to Lauren for a long time.”

Lauren Winfield-Hill

Picture by Gareth Copley/Getty Images. Lauren Winfield-Hill (pictured) and Ami Campbell have played a lot of cricket together.

Yorkshire fans will know a lot about head coach Pyrah, the former men’s County Championship-winning all-rounder. But Brice, perhaps not as much.

He played second-team cricket for Yorkshire in the early 2000s and, as a left-arm spinner, has had a long and successful league career with Woodlands in the Bradford League.

He has had a long coaching career and was on the Northern Diamonds’ staff in recent summers. He will be splitting his time at Headingley between assistant coach of the seniors and the lead coach with the girls’ Academy programme.

“I’ve been on tour with Chris and the Academy he was working for,” said Campbell. “I went out to help with the strength and conditioning. 

“I was still playing with the Diamonds at the time, so I took my cricket gear and had a few nets. 

“I instantly had that connection with him. He’s a straight-talking character who really pushes you, but he really taps into that human side as well.

Rich Pyrah and Chris Brice.

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Ami Campbell is looking forward to progressing her game under the watchful eyes of Yorkshire coaches Chris Brice and Rich Pyrah.

“Some coaches I’ve worked with in the past almost work you like a robot and don’t manage your emotions very well. That’s something he’s very good at. You know he has your best interests at heart. He’s very driven, very creative and is very open to learn.

“I’ve only got good things to say about him and Rich.”

Pyrah and Brice will be looking to the likes of Campbell, Winfield-Hill, Sterre Kalis, Beth Langston and Rachel Slater to help implement Yorkshire’s long-term plan for the progression of the county’s women’s structure.

“We have some great senior players to help the younger ones push forwards,” said Campbell. 

“I know how it feels to be a professional for the first time. It’s pretty nerve-wracking, so we’ll done all we can. 

“We almost have a point to prove at Yorkshire with having this one year in Tier 2, and we’re all going to chip in as senior players to make sure we do that and help the younger players progress.”

Ami Campbell

Picture by Ashley Allen/Getty Images. Ami Campbell bats for the Manchester Originals at Emirates Old Trafford in 2022.

If Yorkshire are going to progress, it would be a huge help if they can inherit the fighting qualities the Northern Diamonds showed through the five-year regional era. That team rarely knew when they were beaten.

“Absolutely, Campbell agreed, before adding: “Look, I hate losing, and I have a lot of fight in me. 

“Lauren’s exactly the same, Sterre too, Langers. None of us like losing. 

“I feel like the attitude we have as seniors, that will be a massive help in terms of the environment we want to create. We want to drive things forward hard and fast. 

“I’m hoping that we can re-capture the best of the Diamonds, like it was in the early years I was there. I’m confident we can.

“Once you’ve played in a team that’s had those qualities, it’s instilled in you wherever you go. It’s that kind of knock-on effect.”

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