Sophie Ecclestone Makes History As First Female Lancashire Player Named Wisden Cricketer Of The Year
England's star spinner joins exclusive club marking 36 Lancashire players to receive the honor
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Lancashire County Cricket Club has proudly announced that Sophie Ecclestone has been named one of Wisden Cricket’s five cricketers of the year, making history as the first female player from Lancashire to receive this prestigious honor.
The announcement was shared on Lancashire Cricket’s official Instagram account alongside an image showing Ecclestone in her Lancashire kit. The post celebrates this significant milestone, highlighting that she joins an exclusive group of 36 Lancashire players who have received this special recognition throughout the club’s storied history.
Breaking New Ground In Cricket
The Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack, often referred to as the “Bible of Cricket,” has been publishing its five cricketers of the year since 1889, making it one of cricket’s oldest and most prestigious individual awards. Ecclestone’s inclusion represents another significant step forward for women’s cricket in England.
At just 24 years old, Sophie Ecclestone has already established herself as one of the world’s premier spin bowlers. According to her Wikipedia profile, the left-arm orthodox spinner made her international debut for England in 2016 as a teenager and quickly rose to prominence in the cricket world.
In 2020, she became the youngest player to reach the top of the ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings. Her consistent performances across formats have made her a cornerstone of England’s bowling attack and a sought-after player in franchise leagues worldwide.
Domestic And International Success
Ecclestone recently completed her third season with UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India. In a heartfelt Instagram post earlier this month, she thanked the franchise, stating: “3 seasons in yellow and purple ✅ thank you for some incredible memories @upwarriorz 💜💛 until next time 👊🏼.”
During the WPL, she was part of a team that made history by winning the first-ever Super Over in the competition’s history against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Her performances in franchise cricket have further cemented her reputation as one of the most reliable bowlers in pressure situations.
While her on-field exploits continue to draw praise, Ecclestone also enjoys downtime away from cricket. A recent Instagram post showed her enjoying “some well needed R&R before a busy English summer” at Carden Park in the Cheshire countryside, which she described as “home.”
Expanding Her Horizons
Beyond cricket, Ecclestone has been expanding her profile in the sports world. She recently featured as a cover star for Sky Sports, describing the image as representing “joy, both on and off the pitch.” The feature, titled “Sophie Ecclestone Edition,” was part of Sky Sports’ Editions series and explored her interests beyond cricket, including “dancing dunks, Everton FC and bowling.”
She’s also shown interest in golf, recently sharing photos of herself at Scottsdale Golf where she received new clubs from TaylorMade and showed off her new Nike golf shoes, describing them as “looking flames.” This glimpse into her life away from cricket shows the well-rounded athlete behind the bowling statistics.
Looking Ahead
With the English summer approaching, Ecclestone is preparing for what promises to be another busy period with both Lancashire and England. Her Wisden recognition comes at a time when women’s cricket continues to grow in popularity and profile across the UK and globally.
As the first female Lancashire player to receive this honor, Ecclestone’s achievement marks not just personal success but represents the continued progress of women’s cricket in a county with rich cricketing traditions.
The nomination adds another prestigious accolade to her growing list of achievements, which already includes multiple ICC T20I Bowler of the Year awards and various player of the tournament recognitions in leagues around the world.
With her career still in its ascendancy, cricket fans will be watching closely as Sophie Ecclestone continues to break barriers and set new standards for spin bowling excellence in the women’s game.
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