Yorkshire is expected to sign Lauren Winfield-Hill to a long-term contract

Although Lauren Winfield-Hill is in early talks to sign a long-term deal with Yorkshire, she may decide to play “Tier 1” cricket in 2025 by moving out on loan.

At the conclusion of this season, women’s domestic cricket in England and Wales will undergo a redesign that will see a shift from a regional system to a county-based model. Yorkshire will play in the second division next year, but they have been guaranteed promotion for 2026. Yorkshire was not one of the eight teams who received finance and Tier 1 status from the ECB.

Many Northern Diamonds players now have to decide between moving to Durham (or another Tier 1 county) or continuing to play in Leeds for another season. Durham has agreed three-year contracts with Diamonds captain Hollie Armitage and coach Danielle Hazell, but Yorkshire will have Winfield-Hill’s long-term commitment.

“I want to stay and dedicate myself to Yorkshire,” Lauren Winfield declared. “Although I haven’t formally signed a contract or anything, that’s my goal.

We’ll investigate what that entails in terms of loans or chances to play Tier 1 cricket, but if it doesn’t work out, it doesn’t work out.

“I tend to be rather devoted… I’ve always had a strong desire to complete my journey from my starting point, and Yorkshire holds a special place in my heart. It’s where my loved ones can come watch me, and I place a great deal of importance on things like that.”

Winfield-Hill gave moving permanently serious thought, but she ultimately opted to stay after the ECB assured her that Yorkshire would only have to miss a single season in the top division. It somewhat eased the decision-making process. It would have appeared significantly differently if it had been two years, but I can still hang on for a year or so because I’m not that old.”

However, she will look into the potential of signing a loan agreement that would allow her to play in the top division of domestic cricket for part or all of the 2025 season. “We’re just working through it all now,” she replied. “A lot of information on the appearance of Tiers 2 and 1, the crossover, and other related topics is yet unclear.

“I’m not really sure what that looks like, but I don’t really want to miss a year of domestic top-flight cricket in England. That is the actuality. In terms of being there for Yorkshire stuff, building that, and ensuring that in 18 months or two years, we’re ready to get off the ground and compete in Tier 1, we’re attempting to achieve the best of both worlds.

From a personal perspective, however, it’s also critical that I continue to play at the best level possible. We’ll attempt to seek that mix, whatever that may look like.”

After the Hundred, the final season of the regional structure will begin on August 26. As the group stage draws to a close, Diamonds is ranked second in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy standings.

After Nadine de Klerk was ruled out due to injury, the Blaze, who are now in fifth place, signed Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast for the remainder of the season. Their coach, Chris Guest, stated, “Orla is a great player with a proven List A record and the ability to slot straight into our group for the run-in.”