Lauren Winfield-Hill is backing Rich Pyrah to get the best out of Yorkshire’s newly formed women’s squad in 2025 and beyond, describing the county’s new coach as “awesome”.
Wicketkeeper-batter Winfield-Hill has signed a four-year contract to remain at Headingley, the Yorkshire legend a marquee signing for the county.
Winfield-Hill, currently spending her winter in Queensland, will link up with her new team-mates in March when they travel abroad for a pre-season tour.
She has just played for Brisbane Heat in the Big Bash League final, is also featuring for Queensland’s state team and is a player who consistently challenges for – and wins – trophies.
The 34-year-old won the County Championship with Yorkshire in 2015, the 50-over World Cup with England in 2017 and in 2022 the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with the Northern Diamonds and the Hundred with the Oval Invincibles.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Rich Pyrah and his assistant coach Chris Brice (l).
Although Yorkshire will aim for success in Tier 2 next season, the emphasis will be on progression and development ahead of their elevation into Tier 1 for 2026. Then, Winfield-Hill and co will be bidding to bring silverware to Headingley.
And the York-born star is confident that in Pyrah, the county has just the right man to help them achieve their aims.
“Rich is awesome,” said Winfield-Hill. “I’ve got a really great relationship with him.
“I’ve worked with him before in the Kia Super League days (Yorkshire Diamonds). He’s a great guy who is very, very passionate about this project.
“He will really develop players.
Picture by Albert Perez/Getty Images. Lauren Winfield-Hill (r) celebrates a wicket with Brisbane Heat.
“I did a lot of a work with him on my batting when he was involved previously, and we view the game similarly.
“He wants to push the game forwards and play an aggressive brand of cricket.
“He will stretch players, and that’s really exciting.
“He has a nice manner about him. He’s passionate and focused, but he has a real openness and calmness. I’m sure the girls will really enjoy working with him.
“Him and Chris Brice (assistant coach) will form a very good coaching partnership.”
Picture by Olly Hassell/SWpix.com. Lauren Winfield-Hill bats for the Northern Diamonds last summer.
Winfield-Hill attracted interest from Tier 1 teams but said: “It’s a really nice feeling knowing that I’m not leaving.
“When I believe in something and I’m all in on it, that’s when it brings out the best in me. That’s exactly what Yorkshire means to me, and it’s where I’m confident I will do my best work.”
Winfield-Hill was outstanding at the top of the order as a Northern Diamond, particularly in 50-over cricket. That was best highlighted by her player-of-the-match performance in the RHFT final win against Southern Vipers at Lord’s in September 2022.
She hit 65 in a two-run win – one of 14 fifties and three hundreds in 42 List A appearances for the Diamonds between 2020 and 2024.
The dynamic right-hander was at her most prolific in 2022 and 2023, scoring 10 fifties and two hundreds in that time. She also posted scores of 96 and 98 in T20 cricket during that period.
Picture by Albert Perez/Getty Images. Lauren Winfield-Hill in Queensland Fire colours.
Last season, however, she only scored three fifties in 50-over cricket and none in T20, admitting: “I haven’t been at my best.
“I found this year incredibly challenging.
“I had some time out in the middle of the season because emotionally I felt really drained with everything that was going on around the Tier 1 and Tier 2 stuff and found it hard to make a decision.
“But I’m thrilled with the decision I’ve made, and now my focus is on playing better than I have this season.
“I’ve had glimmers this year, but I haven’t quite managed to have the massive contributions that I’ve had for the last two years.”
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Lauren Winfield-Hill is looking forward to working with Rich Pyrah again having been together in the old Kia Super League days in 2016.
Winfield-Hill posted a best of 24 in four WBBL innings for Brisbane, who were beaten by Melbourne Renegades in the final at Melbourne on December 1.
She has also posted scores of 65, 28 and 32 not out for Queensland Fire in the 50-over Women’s National Cricket League competition, which sees her adopted state second in the table with two wins after four games.
Queensland have two more fixtures before the break for Christmas.
