Beth Langston is keen to play a guiding hand for Yorkshire’s exciting up and comers as they embark upon their first year as full-time contracted professionals.
Fast bowling all-rounder Langston has signed as one of 12 contracted pros for the county at the start of the new domestic structure for the women’s game in England.
Of those 12, only five of those have been contracted previously – the majority with the Northern Diamonds.
Langston, Ami Campbell, Sterre Kalis, Rachel Slater and Lauren Winfield-Hill have all been contracted, but Claudie Cooper, Rebecca Duckworth, Ria Fackrell, Grace Hall, Erin Thomas, Maddie Ward and Jess Woolston haven’t.
Essex-born Langston has signed an initial two-year contract at Headingley – her home away from home – and is excited by what lies ahead. Not least being able to help progress a group of cricketers with a serious amount of talent.
“It’s a very exciting time for a lot of players getting their first professional contracts,” she said. “And, as a more experienced player, I hope to be able to help them through that and grow their games.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Beth Langston is one of 12 contracted professionals in Yorkshire’s senior squad.
“Fingers crossed, that leads to a lot of success.
“We’ve got a core of players who have been around for a few years now, even if they’re not necessarily as old as Lauren and I. But they’ve been playing the professional game for a few years now.
“That’s a great foundation to have.
“Our youngsters coming through are very talented, and I’m glad we’ve managed to hang onto them.”
The 32-year-old continued: “It’s a really exciting period for the domestic game, and I’m really happy to be carrying on that journey with Yorkshire.
“When they offered me a contract, I was really happy to be continuing playing for Yorkshire.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Beth Langston bowls for Northern Diamonds against the Sunrisers on her way to a stunning six-wicket haul earlier this summer.
“I’ve felt very comfortable here since moving up.
“Hopefully this is the start of good things to come for us all.”
Langston has the potent combination of significant skill with ball and bat and plenty of experience.
She has played six times for England in T20I and ODI cricket, between 2013 and 2017, and was a part of their squad for the 50-over World Cup triumph in summer 2017 without playing.
Though happy with where her game is at, she believes there’s definite room for improvement, which is an exciting prospect for all those with a White Rose bias.
Last summer, Langston went beyond 200 career wickets in senior cricket, both List A and T20 combined.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Beth Langston leads the Diamonds off the field after after taking six wickets against the Sunrisers.
“I still think there’s lots more I can work on and improve. I’ve definitely got a lot more to give,” she said.
A huge plus for her will be new head coach Rich Pyrah’s bowling specialism.
In the early days of his coaching career, he helped progress a number of Yorkshire’s men’s seamers.
“I’ve done a few bowling sessions with Rich in the past, and I really enjoyed them,” she continued. “He had a lot to offer. I’m looking forward to working with him more, getting a good winter under my belt and progressing my game.
“It’s always refreshing to work with new coaches, who can cast a fresh eye over your game.”
Langston is one of four seamers in Yorkshire’s senior squad alongside Hall, Slater and Woolston.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Yorkshire Women’s head coach Rich Pyrah.
“We’ve got a good group of seamers, and everyone offers something different with the four of us,” she said. “That’s a good thing to have moving forwards.”
Langston’s skill and pace with the ball are harnessed with the ability to contribute crucial runs in the middle order.
“I love my batting,” she said.
“It’s nice to be able to contribute in different ways. That’s the great thing about being an all-rounder. If you have an off day with one skill, you can still contribute with the other.”
While Langston’s career has been an impressive one, it hasn’t been without its challenges, most notably between August 2022 and July just gone when she was sidelined with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament knee injury and played only once for the Northern Diamonds in that period.
But when she returned to full fitness and made her comeback in July, she did so with quite the impact.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Seam bowler Jess Woolston is one of seven players in Yorkshire’s squad who have been awarded their maiden professional contract.
In a 50-over Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy game against Sunrisers at York, she claimed a stunning 6-24 to contribute to a victory. It was a dream return for the affable and popular quick.
It was without doubt one of the best days of the summer in all cricket across the club, both Northern Diamonds women and for Yorkshire’s men.
“That went a lot better than I could have hoped for,” she smiled.
“I was just happy to be on the team-sheet to be honest. There were quite a few nerves around. I’d played a couple of warm-up games, but it’s not quite the same.
“With it being bit wet and slippy, it does cast your mind back a bit to the injury (she slipped whilst bowling for the Northern Superchargers in the Hundred).
“But, yeah, I just tried to keep it simple and get in the game.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Langston and Lauren Winfield-Hill (pictured) are the two of the most experienced players in Yorkshire’s squad.
“Thankfully it was a green seamer at York that day and nice cloudy conditions. That helped a lot.
“It was just good to be out there. If I’d have got panned for 50-odd in five overs, I’d have still been happy to be back on the pitch taking part.
“But I managed to settle in fairly quickly, felt in good rhythm and felt comfortable with that and the body. The wickets just seemed to follow. You have those days, and it’s nice to look back on.”
New coach Pyrah has spoken about how he wants his players to have an ‘anything is possible’ mindset as they embark upon this new era, which will start in Tier 2 for Yorkshire in 2025.
For someone like Langston, that includes a potential England recall.
“Anybody would say they’d still love to play for England,” she added. “If anything did happen with that, great. If not, I’m very happy with where I’m at with things now. I’m just really focusing on Yorkshire, giving my all to that.”
