Maddie Ward believes the European T10 Championship in Spain, which the Yorkshire wicketkeeper-batter is currently involved in for the second year running, is a significant positive for the development of women’s cricket.

Ward, 19-years-old, is currently in Malaga with county colleague and fellow new signing Ria Fackrell, playing for an England XI selected by the National Counties Cricket Association. 

Both were part of England’s squad which won the inaugural title last December and helped them get their title defence off to a winning start yesterday with victories over the Netherlands and Scotland. 

Ward claimed two stumpings and played her part in a run out in each fixture, while Fackrell struck once with her off-spinners in each clash. Fackrell hit a best of 41 off 17 balls opening the batting in a successful pursuit of 97 against the Dutch.

Reflecting on last year’s event, Yorkshire up and comer Ward said: “The T10 last December, I didn’t know what to expect from that. It came about last-minute and happened quite quickly. But it was so much fun. 

“I loved being out there and involved with that group of girls, and it’s something I was so glad I was involved with.

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com - 16/06/2024 - Cricket - The Charlotte Edwards Cup - Northern Diamonds v Western Storm - Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds, England - Maddie Ward.

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. New Yorkshire signing Maddie Ward has penned a two-year contract at Headingley.

“It’s a competition which is definitely very good for women’s cricket. We’re playing against teams such as the Netherlands and Austria and Spain.

“They take a lot of players who are coming through their systems, and it’s really nice to see how they go about their game and learn from them. 

“We obviously passed on our advice as well because as an England team, we’re a bit further on in our development. We did a bit of a coaching session as well. To see how women’s cricket is developing around the world in countries you wouldn’t necessarily associate with cricket was really nice.”

That competition, which runs through until Friday, is being streamed on YouTube – something which Ward believes is a significant positive for young players such as herself.

“The exposure women’s cricket is getting, be it that competition or regional cricket as it’s been, it’s a big thing for us as players, especially the younger ones coming through,” she continued. 

“It might not be on TV, but most matches are streamed, and it definitely calms your nerves because it’s getting you used to being on TV more when the game develops further.”

Maddie Ward

Picture by Justine Brunnschweiler/NCCA. Maddie Ward, Ria Fackrell and England celebrate last December’s T10 European Championship success. They are aiming to defend their title in Malaga this week.

Last month, Ward signed a two-year rookie contract with Yorkshire – her maiden professional deal.

She will be one of 12 senior players in the Yorkshire squad which embarks on a season of Tier 2 cricket in 2025 and is relishing the prospect of pushing her game forwards.

The highly-rated Nottingham-born keeper was signed onto the Northern Diamonds Academy ahead of 2024 and progressed through to make her senior debut in a Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy clash with eventual champions Sunrisers at Chelmsford in late August.

She kept impressively in that fixture and hit an encouraging 20 down the order.

“It was something I’d been wanting for a while, something I’d been pushing for,” she said of her senior debut. “I wanted to make a statement because I was at a new region and a lot of players didn’t really know who I was or how good I was. 

“On a personal note, it was something I was very happy to achieve and think I did a decent job. I was pretty happy with how things went that day.”

Maddie Ward

Picture by YCCC. Maddie Ward was presented with her Diamonds cap by team-mate Lizzie Scott (l) at Chelmsford in August. Scott has since signed for Durham.

Ward deputised that day for Lauren Winfield-Hill, who was unavailable because of her involvement in the Caribbean Premier League.

The pair worked closely together as Diamonds and will do again as Yorkshire players once Winfield-Hill returns from her winter in Australia. 

“Being around Lauren was really good,” said Ward. She’s had lots of international experience, she’s been in a lot of franchises and things. She made me feel so welcome. 

“We did quite a few keeping sessions together, and she would ask me a lot about my game and how I view keeping and things like that.

“I’m really excited to be able to keep working with her for the next few years.”

Ward continued: “I’m really excited to have signed for Yorkshire.

Lauren Winfield-Hill

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Lauren Winfield-Hill, pictured, and Maddie Ward will work closely together over the next couple of years.

“The Diamonds were great, and the all the staff at Headingley were too. 

“It was the perfect time for me to make the move from the Blaze, and I’ve obviously been awarded this contract on the back of a year in that system. It’s great that I’ve got the support from everyone at Yorkshire.

“I can’t wait for what’s to come.

“It’s definitely the step forward I was looking for in terms of my development.

“It was always slightly difficult at Diamonds because I didn’t know when I’d be playing again after my debut. I was involved in a few squads, but whether I’d be playing was a different question. 

“But it’s really exciting that I’m going to be around a first-team environment, I’m going to get all the training and be one of the main players instead of something who helps out when needed.”

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com - 19/06/2024 - Cricket - The Charlotte Edwards Cup - Northern Diamonds v Lancashire Thunder - Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street, England - Maddie Ward.

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Maddie Ward will need those sunglasses in Malaga this week!

Despite only playing one senior game so far in her career, the soon-to-be 20-year-old – she celebrates her birthday in January – Ward has a decent amount of big-game experience under her belt.

We have already spoken about the European T10 Championship, while Ward was part of the England Under 19s squad which reached the final of the T20 World Cup in South Africa at the start of 2023. She has also toured Sri Lanka with that age-group and has played eight internationals at that level.

“Compared to a lot of players who went to that World Cup last year and to the Sri Lanka series in April, I haven’t played too much professional cricket,” said Ward. “But I think the opportunities I’ve had with the 19s have set me in good stead for what professional cricket looked like because all the training with them was a step up from anything I’d experienced before.”

And asked what a perfect 2025 would look like for Ward, she added: “I’d like to be playing regularly and have more opportunities with the gloves. That’s my best suit, and I absolutely love keeping. Having that exposure of professional cricket will be massive for me.

“But I’m hoping it’s not just individual success, I want to be part of Yorkshire team success. We have the nucleus of players which can be really successful in Tier 2 and then hopefully Tier 1 when we go up the summer after next.”

First of all, though, Ward – and Fackrell – will be hoping for an early Christmas present in sunny Spain.

Picture by Laura Malkin. New Yorkshire team-mate Ria Fackrell is in Malaga with Maddie Ward this week.

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