Sophie Ecclestone is a prominent figure in English women’s cricket, renowned for her exceptional skills and numerous achievements. Her journey from a young player in Cheshire to a world-class bowler is truly inspiring.
Wiki/Biography
Sophie Ecclestone was born on Thursday, 6 May 1999 (age 24 years; as of 2023) in Chester, Cheshire, England. Her zodiac sign is Taurus. Growing up in Helsby village, Cheshire, she played cricket and other outdoor sports with her older brother, James, and father. James played a key role in teaching her both football and cricket. She honed her cricket skills at Alvanley Cricket Club in Helsby under coach Robin Fisher, where her father served as the junior coordinator. She completed her schooling at Helsby High School.
Physical Appearance
Here’s a summary of her physical attributes:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Height | 5′ 11″ |
| Hair Colour | Medium Blonde |
| Eye Colour | Light Grey |
At just 17, Ecclestone was considered for selection to the England team for the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup. However, with exams still to complete, a decision was made by her parents and then-coach Mark Robinson to postpone her international debut.
Family
Parents & Siblings
Her father, Paul Ecclestone, was a junior coordinator at Alvanley Cricket Club. Her mother’s name is Elaine Ecclestone, and she has a brother, James Ecclestone.
Husband
She is currently unmarried.
Fiance
Sophie Ecclestone got engaged to Craig Hitchmough in 2021.
Career
Domestic
Her cricket journey began at Alvanley Cricket Club at the age of 7. She progressed through the Under-13s, 15s, and 17s teams before making her debut for the Cheshire women’s county team in 2013. Subsequently, she joined the Lancashire Women’s cricket team, making her first-class debut against Nottinghamshire at the young age of 16. She currently plays for Lancashire Thunder in the Women’s Cricket Super League (also known as the Kia Super League).
International
Following strong domestic performances, Ecclestone was quickly promoted to England’s Academy squad and the England development programme. She was selected for the England Academy winter squad in 2016, touring Sri Lanka. This tour saw her claim 16 wickets in a tri-series against Australia A and Sri Lanka A, including a four-wicket haul against Sri Lanka A in Panagoda.
- She made her international T20I debut on July 3, 2016, against Pakistan at County Ground, Bristol, taking her first wicket with a full toss.
- Her ODI debut followed on October 8, 2016, against West Indies Women at Trelawny Stadium, Jamaica.
- Her Test debut was on November 9, 2017, against Australia Women at North Sydney Oval, Sydney.
Her accolades include the Lancashire Cricket Board’s young player of the year award (2017) and a place in England’s squad for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20. She consistently demonstrated top-tier performances, culminating in becoming the world’s number one bowler in both Women’s Twenty20 Internationals (WT20I) and Women’s ODIs. Highlights include a six-wicket haul in the 2022 World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
Women’s T20 Challenge
Ecclestone participated in the Women’s T20 Challenge, representing Trailblazers in 2020 (winning the title) and Supernovas in 2022 (also winning the title).
FairBreak Invitational T20
In the 2022 FairBreak Invitational T20 tournament, she played for team Spirit and emerged as the highest wicket-taker.
The Hundred
She was signed by Manchester Originals for the 2022 season of The Hundred.
Women’s Premier League (WPL)
In 2023, UP Warriorz secured her services for a significant sum in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Awards, Honours, Achievements
- ICC Emerging Player of the Year (2018)
- Youngest woman to take 50 wickets in WT20Is (2020)
- ICC Women’s Player of the Month (June 2021)
Favourites
- Colour: Pink
- Football club: Everton F.C.
- Footballer: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
- Cricket Stadium: Emirates Old Trafford
- Film series: Harry Potter
Facts/Trivia
- Nickname: Sumo
- Batting style: Right-hand bat
- Bowling style: Slow left-arm orthodox
- Lifetime member of Alvanley Cricket Club (2022)
- Owns a dog named Rex
- Jersey number for England Women: #19
A captivating anecdote recounts her bowling prowess in an informal match where she dismissed all opposing boys, including the headmaster, on her very first ball.
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