England Captain Knight Foresees New Fanbase from Domestic Cricket Restructuring

England captain Heather Knight, who has led the team since 2016, expressed her expectation that modifications to the women’s domestic cricket structure will attract “a new fanbase” to the sport. Knight has committed to Somerset’s newly formed women’s team for the 2025 season. This team is part of a broader restructuring where eight counties will integrate their women’s teams with their existing male clubs, achieving Tier 1 status. The 33-year-old athlete previously served as captain for Western Storm, a team encompassing the counties of Somerset and Gloucestershire. During her eight-year tenure with the club, she guided them to secure two Super League titles. Speaking to BBC Radio Somerset, Knight stated: “I think it’s a really good move for women’s cricket to merge with the men’s counties and it seems like the next logical step in the development of the women’s game to put those together and really drive the women’s game forward along the men’s.” She further commented: “It’s an exciting time, probably a little bit of a transition period, it might take a few years to get things bedded in, but I think Somerset have been really welcoming.” Knight, who has held the England captaincy since 2016 and guided the team to the 2017 World Cup title, is presently in South Africa. There, England secured a T20 series victory against the Proteas last month and concluded a 2-1 one-day series win on Wednesday. Next season, she is set to join her England team-mates, all-rounders Charlie Dean and Danielle Gibson, in Taunton. Knight additionally stated: “I think it’ll bring hopefully a new fanbase to women’s cricket now that it’s under the Somerset umbrella.” She continued: “Hopefully the brilliant support we get down as England women at Taunton when we play there, all those fans will come and watch Somerset women now they’re under the Somerset brand.” She further noted, “The girls have really enjoyed being part of the club and the professionalism that the club brings. It’s a hugely successful club and the girls are really keen to try and have a bit of that success as well.” Knight, a native of Plymouth, Devon, affirmed that there was “no question” regarding her decision to sign with Somerset. During her teenage years, she spent a year at the club’s academy and made her debut in 2005. In April of the current year, she became an adviser on the club’s board. Knight recalled: “I was on the Somerset academy with Anya Shrubsole, Jack Leach, Jos Buttler, and I remember going down and training at Taunton a lot and being around those guys.” She added: “Jason Kerr was the coach at the time and he’s progressed to Somerset head coach which is really cool. Really good memories, really enjoyed my time there and played a role towards the rest of my career which was nice.”