New women’s head coach Rich Pyrah says he was delighted with every aspect of Yorkshire’s recent pre-season tour to Abu Dhabi, not least the positive impact the county’s six Academy starlets had across the 10 days abroad.
Pyrah not only hailed the efforts of teenagers Holly Garton, Fran Lonsdale, Amelia Love, Elicia Pollard, Lucy Randle-Bissell and Emma Wrightson, he was chuffed to bits with the work done by the 12 contracted professionals too.
Only 10 of those took part in match action due to fitness, though Jess Woolston is back bowling gently as she recovers from a foot stress fracture and Grace Hall, who sustained an ankle injury in training before the tour, still has a chance to play in next Saturday’s season-opener against Worcestershire at Headingley.
Yorkshire pitted themselves against the likes of the UAE national side, Australian national champions of two summers ago Tasmania and Tier 1 counties The Blaze from Nottinghamshire and Surrey and Essex.
They won one game and lost the other four, but they weren’t heavily beaten at any stage. They reached the final of the Abu Dhabi Women’s T20 competition courtesy of victory over hosts the UAE.
Picture by YCCC. Academy leg-spinner Holly Garton impressed in Abu Dhabi.
Moments such as leg-spinner Garton getting England star Sophia Dunkley stumped in a 50-over clash was one to celebrate, and Pyrah is confident there’s more to follow.
“It does show what talent we have got here, for sure,” he said. “And it helps to fast-track these girls.
“They’ve never got that opportunity before, and that’s what this new professional women’s game is about – giving opportunities and developing people quicker.
“There were 16-year-olds going on tour and playing professional cricket, which is a massive development for them. You could see them developing their games but even growing as people over there.
“Where their games will go to in the next couple of years because of this early development, who knows.”
Picture by YCCC. Maddie Ward, one of Yorkshire’s new vice captains, keeps wicket against Surrey in a 50-over friendly. England batter Sophia Dunkley is at the crease.
The former Yorkshire men’s all-rounder continued: “It was a really positive tour for everyone.
“I think the biggest positive was seeing the work that we’ve done this winter. Skill wise, the girls were showing the bravery to do it in games, and you can see their games kicking on. It’s about backing it up now. We’re just ready to play some cricket now over here.”
Pyrah has spoken all winter about reining in expectations for 2025, with his squad a young one. And not only that, a young squad will be missing significant experience at stages. Sterre Kalis going on loan to Warwickshire for the majority of the campaign to play Tier 1 cricket indicates that.
“Yeah, I’m purposely not speaking about results and performances, and then they end up getting to the final in the T20s!” he laughed.
“Look, it’s great, it shows their competitiveness as well.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Yorkshire Women Team Photo 2025.
Yorkshire have one intra-squad friendly next week prior to that Metro Bank One-Day Cup 2 clash against Worcestershire a week today.
“We’re looking forward to it,” added Pyrah.
“There’s been a lot put into getting to this stage – a full winter, a pre-season tour, and now it’s about letting them go play.”
