Three Lancashire Cricket Women Academy players sign first professional contracts

Lancashire Cricket Women confirmed on November 4, 2026 that three players from their Academy pathway had put pen to paper on their first professional contracts. Venus Weerappuli, Olivia Brinsden and Skye Thomas each secured deals that extend through to the conclusion of the 2028 season, rewarding standout contributions across multiple competitions during 2026.

All three came through the Lancashire Cricket Academy and featured for the First Team across several formats last season. Head Coach Chris Read addressed the signings, expressing confidence in the long-term futures of the trio at the club.

"We are really pleased to have agreed first professional contracts with three of our most exciting Academy graduates in Olivia, Skye and Venus. Not only did they contribute to the First Team last season, but we believe they have the potential to become key players for Lancashire across all formats in the coming years. A strong Academy is something the Club prides itself on, and all three are a great example of the talent coming through our pathway. It is really exciting that we have been able to secure some of the Club’s biggest young talents ahead of next season and we look forward to watching them develop their games further," said Read as quoted by Lancashire Cricket.

What did Venus Weerappuli achieve in the 2026 season?

Aged 17 during the 2026 campaign, Weerappuli emerged as Lancashire Thunder's most productive bowler in the Vitality Blast, finishing the competition with 15 wickets at an average of 15. Her best return in that format came against Yorkshire, where she recorded figures of 3 for 13. Across all three competitions she featured in, including the Vitality T20 County Cup and the Metro Bank One Day Cup, Weerappuli accumulated 21 wickets in total, with four of those coming in the One Day Cup.

How did Brinsden and Thomas perform on their senior debuts?

All-rounder Olivia Brinsden, aged 20, opened her senior account in the Vitality T20 County Cup at Neston Cricket Club against Durham, taking a wicket on debut. She subsequently made her first appearances in the Vitality Blast and the Metro Bank One Day Cup, claiming a wicket in each of those competitions as well.

Wicketkeeper-batter Skye Thomas, aged 17, announced herself in the Vitality Blast with an unbeaten 55 against Durham, an innings that steered Lancashire to victory in a closely contested fixture. Thomas rounded off her debut season by appearing in the Metro Bank One Day Cup in September at the AO Farington Cricket Ground, again facing Durham.