As far as winters go, this one has been a pretty special one for Erin Thomas – and it has every chance of getting even better for the emerging Yorkshire batter.
Top order teenager Thomas has signed her maiden professional contract at Headingley and is one of 12 players in Rich Pyrah’s senior Yorkshire Women’s squad ahead of 2025.
Added to that, she has also been called up to the England Under 19s squad for next month’s T20 World Cup in Malaysia.
And the Drax CC star has high hopes of success ahead of the New Year tour.
“We have a great chance with the team that we’ve got,” said Thomas, a former Yorkshire Cricket College student.
This will be the second Under 19s T20 World Cup, with England beaten in the final by India in January 2023 in South Africa.
Picture by ECB. Erin Thomas is preparing for the England Under 19s T20 World Cup in Malaysia in January.
Thomas, who toured Sri Lanka earlier this year with the Under 19s, and her England team-mates have started training at Loughborough, with the squad getting together for weekend camps. That’s added to her midweek trading schedule with Yorkshire at Headingley.
“It’s going to be a busy winter, but it’s perfect for me,” she continued.
“Signing your first professional contract and playing in a World Cup in the same winter, you’d never think that would happen.
“Honestly, I feel like I’ve been living in a different reality. I’m excited for both.”
Thomas has come through the Yorkshire Pathway system. She has played senior county cricket for the last two years alongside impressed for the Northern Diamonds Academy.
“I would say I’m a clean ball striker, an attacking player who looks to hit the ball hard. But, at the same time, I’m still a technical player,” she continued.
“I was speechless when I got told about the contract.
“It’s just amazing because it’s always been a dream.
“I’ve grown up playing cricket, I’ve been at Yorkshire since I was 12 in the County Age-Group pathway.
“To finish the Under 18s last season and then get a contract, it’s unreal.
“I always knew that Yorkshire was where I wanted to play, and I want to show everyone what I’ve got.”
Thomas’s winter schedule meant she returned to training at Headingley earlier than the majority of her county colleagues, allowing her the chance to work with head coach Rich Pyrah and his assistant Chris Brice.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Yorkshire women’s head coach Rich Pyrah and his assistant (l) Chris Brice.
“I’ve heard so many good things about Rich as a coach,” she said.
“I started my winter training early because of the Under 19s stuff. I’ve been working with Bricey and Rich, and they’ve been amongst the best sessions I’ve had. They both got so much knowledge. I’ve absolutely loved it.”
Thomas also played age-group county tennis for Yorkshire and was once a team-mate of Yorkshire men’s batter Noah Kelly.
But she smiled: “I literally grew up with a bat in my hand, watching my dad (Kevin). My grandad (Howard) taught me how to catch, and my brother (Lewis) plays. We’re a cricket mad family.
“My brother is two years older, and I’ve always tried to be better than him. There’s a lot of competition. My grandad, he’s my idol.”
Erin, Lewis and Kevin have all played in Drax’s first team together this year in the Yorkshire Premier League North’s Division Two Ebor competition: “It’s pretty cool when we’re all in the same team,” she said.
Picture by Jan Kruger. ICC via Getty Images. Katherine Sciver-Brunt is one of Erin Thomas’s idols.
Grandad Howard isn’t Erin’s only idol.
“Growing up, Katherine Sciver-Brunt has always been up there for me,” she continued. “I remember when I was young, she came down to our club for a guest appearance, and it really inspired me. That’s something I will never forget that. Another one, Sophie Devine. She is an incredible cricketer. She hits bombs (sixes), and that’s what I want to do.”
With regards to her role in Yorkshire’s team, she admitted: “I’m open to anything. The majority of time, I’ve opened or batted at three and four. For the Academy, I’ve opened. I did the same for the England Under 19s in the T20s in Sri Lanka at the start of the summer. It’s just wherever the coaches see as the best for me.”
Captaincy is also something which interests the tall right-hander.
“I’ve captained a bit for Yorkshire growing up and at the (ECB’s) School Games. That’s something I’m definitely interested in as my career progresses,” she added. “I’m just seeing this next year in Tier 2 as an opportunity to work on my development and show my skills.
“Then, once we get into Tier 1, hopefully I’m ready to go out there and smash it.”
