Success-driven Scotland announce men, women professional contract list for 2023-24 season

Cricket Scotland has recently announced the list of men and women cricketers who have been offered professional contracts for 2023-24. Following an announcement in November 2022, this is the first time that female cricketers in Scotland have been handed a professional contract. Notably, men and women cricketers will continue to receive equal match pay, as they have since 2021. 

The most recent list included fourteen men cricketers who have been offered professional contracts, as well as nine women cricketers. The duration of the contracts will be from 01 April 2023 to 31 March 2024. The selection of players for the professional contracts was made by a group of experts, and the process was conducted in February and March 2023. 

Toby Bailey, Interim Head of Performance of Cricket Scotland, stated that the board was pleased to announce the contracts, particularly for women's cricket, and described it as a watershed moment. He also stated that he is confident that nine of Scotland's women players agreed to be the first to sign with Cricket Scotland.

"We are thrilled to announce this year’s contracts, and for women’s cricket in Scotland in particular, this really is a landmark moment. I’m absolutely delighted that nine of our best women’s players have agreed to be the first to sign with Cricket Scotland," Bailey said.

He went on to say that, given the phenomenal growth of women's cricket around the globe, promotion and investment in Scotland is now an essential element of the cricketing strategy. He also said that granting professional contracts to female cricketers is a significant step towards ensuring that cricket in Scotland is equitable and inclusive for all.

"Given the rapid growth of women’s cricket across the world, promotion and investment in the women’s game in Scotland is now a cornerstone of the strategy for the organisation, and today’s news is a big step on the road to ensuring that cricket in Scotland is fair and inclusive for all," he added.

Here's the list of players who were awarded the professional contracts

Men's contracts: Richie Berrington, Matthew Cross, Ally Evans, Chris Greaves, Jack Jarvis, Michael Leask, Chris McBride, Brandon McMullen, George Munsey, Liam Naylor, Safyaan Sharif, Chris Sole, Hamza Tahir, Mark Watt.

Women's contracts: Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, Lorna Jack, Ailsa Lister, Megan McColl, Orla Montgomery, Hannah Rainey, Ellen Watson.