Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Yorkshire’s general manager of cricket has been speaking about the women’s team’s progression as they get set to embark upon the second half of the 2026 summer.
“Don’t take away the winning side of things. It’s important, of course it is. But I’m looking at this from a big picture, long-term project point of view.”
Yorkshire’s general manager of cricket Gavin Hamilton has been assessing the development of the county’s women’s team as they get set to embark upon the second half of the summer.
The White Rose have played eight Metro Bank One-Day Cup matches and six in the Vitality Blast. They have the same number remaining in both competitions added to the Vitality County T20 Cup starting this coming Sunday.
First of all, Yorkshire face game number nine out of 16 in the One-Day Cup tomorrow, against Durham at Banks Homes Riverside, starting at 10.30am.
The county have won two, tied one and lost five in this One-Day Cup. In the Blast, they have lost five of six with the other one finishing in a rainy No Result at Durham last Tuesday.
“I know the thoughts of the board and the executive team, and that is that this is a project,” said Hamilton.
“Coming from Tier 2 to Tier 1, we’re early on our journey, and it’s about working out who we want to take with us, who has the character, the ability, the techniques. Who’s going to stand up in difficult situations.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com – 13/05/2026 – Cricket – Metro Bank One Day Cup Women – Yorkshire Women v Hampshire Women – York Cricket Club, York, England – Yorkshire’s Lauren Winfield-Hill.
“I know the girls will be desperate to win matches. But, as long as we’re learning, that’s the main thing.
“My thought process is, ‘Continue to grow internally, keep the Pathways going, get three or four Academy girls into the squad, recruit a couple of players, strengthen and start competing and start winning’.
“Everything will fall into place, I’m sure, because we have the right people in charge with Rich (Pyrah) and his team.”
Hamilton continued: “Obviously Rich wants to be winning games, as he should be as head coach. But I know he’s also thinking, ‘How can I make sure that I get this squad into a good place for two years’ time?’
“I look at this season as a bit of a free hit. Spectators and members probably won’t. They’re the ones who want to be winning games. But I’m sure the people who have been around a few games will understand that this takes time.
“These girls have been in professional cricket for one year.
“They’re going to make mistakes. But my big point – and I know Rich says the same – is, ‘We can make mistakes, but we can’t keep doing the same mistakes. Otherwise, we’re not going anywhere’.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. The emergence of Academy all-rounder Ines Blackwell has been a major positive during the first half of the summer.
Yorkshire and Durham played out a thrilling tie at Scarborough in late April when both teams finished on 290. The White Rose failed to get one off the last ball to win that day.
Durham are enjoying an encouraging season. They have won four of nine games in the One-Day Cup and are in contention for a top-three finish and knockout cricket.
In fact, they are fifth in the table in both this and the Vitality Blast. They have won four of six in that competition as they chase a top-four finish for Finals Day.
On Saturday, their latest 50-over win came by 46 runs at Chelmsford. England fringe all-rounder Mady Villiers hit 76 and took a wicket with spin as they posted 291-9 and defended it comfortably.
Yorkshire are amidst a run of three successive fixtures across the two competitions against Durham, who are captained by Hollie Armitage and have Australian all-rounder Heather Graham as an overseas player.
The White Rose have been boosted by the return to fitness of England all-rounder Sarah Glenn, who made her comeback from a broken finger a couple of Fridays ago. She would have played in the Blast game at the Riverside last Tuesday but for rain.
She is set to feature in this forthcoming fixture.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Sarah Glenn is set for her first 50-over appearance in a Yorkshire shirt.
Hamilton said: “Glenny would have made a huge difference to us over the last few weeks. I have no doubt we would have won a couple of games in the Blast if we had somebody with her experience playing. She’s a match-winner.
“She’s been great around the group. She’s been the best 12th woman ever!
“She’s been totally engaged, and she’s going to give the side a huge boost having her on the field.
“Anybody who’s seen us will know we’re lacking that bit more seniority.”
As she returned to full fitness, Glenn has trained and travelled with the Yorkshire team so has a good grasp of how their season has developed.
And she added: “I think we’ve played lots of good passages of play, but we’ve just not had that all-round team performance to get us over the line. We’ve definitely got it in us.
“There’s so much more for us to play for. It’s going to be a really exciting end to the summer.”
Picture by Ashley Allen/Getty Images. Captain Hollie Armitage and her Durham side are usefully placed in both the 50-over and T20 competitions.
