Photo Credit: Professional Cricketers’ Association
Woakes and Jones join vital player group ahead of new season
England’s Chris Woakes and Central Sparks’ Eve Jones are amongst 13 new names who have joined the Players’ Committee ahead of the 2023 season.
Led by PCA Chair, James Harris, and his Vice Chairs Anuj Dal and Heather Knight, this important group of players has the ability to vote on all issues affecting the entire PCA membership.
For the first time in the Committee’s history the England Men’s team are now represented in a voting capacity with Woakes taking the role with each of the eight Women’s regions also having PCA reps.
The England and Warwickshire all-rounder is keen to share his vast knowledge of the game and the thoughts of the England dressing room with the players’ association.
At the 2023 PCA AGM, Chair James Harris was ratified for a second term, along with the additions and changes to the Players’ Committee.
All-rounder Ben Raine takes over at Durham from Chris Rushworth, as another northern change sees wicketkeeper Jonny Tattersall take the reigns at Yorkshire, replacing Tom Kohler-Cadmore.
Right-handed 24-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Harry Swindells replaces pace bowler Gavin Griffiths at Leicestershire, whilst the vastly experienced Jack Brooks comes in for the now retired Max Waller at Somerset.
In the south east of the country, 30-year-old pace bowler Matt Dunn takes over from white-ball specialist Laurie Evans at Surrey, as left-handed batter Aylish Cranstone becomes the new rep for South East Stars.
“I’m really looking forward to working with this group of members this summer and seeing players around the country.”
JAMES HARRIS
The 2021 cinch PCA Women’s Player of the Year, Jones, brings a wealth of experience to the reps role at Central Sparks having played in competitions around the world while former England all-rounder Georgia Elwiss also bring vast knowledge to the role, replacing Tara Norris at Southern Vipers.
At Sunrisers, wicketkeeper-batter Amara Carr steps in to the role following Naomi Dattani’s transfer to Thunder as 31-year-old bowler Phoebe Graham becomes the rep at the Manchester based side, replacing Alex Hartley.
For the Northern Diamonds, leg-spinner Katie Levick becomes the new rep following their successful Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy victory last season, as 25-year-old Lucy Higham becomes the first rep for the newly named side, The Blaze.
The Women’s Committee, which has voting rights on specific women only issues within the game, has been extended and is now made up of 11 players. The three England representatives of Heather Knight (captain), Nat Sciver-Brunt (vice captain) and Kate Cross (England rep) are joined by the eight reps from the women’s regions.
Elected by their teammates via the terms of the constitution, the PCA representatives are the voice of the players’ union in the dressing rooms across the 18 counties, eight women’s regions and England squads, with each professional domestic team now having a single vote on the Committee.
Reps have the responsibility of communicating important topics of discussion to their teammates as well as raising any concerns within their team and then liaising back to the PCA.
The PCA would like to thank all out-going reps for their service and welcome the new reps to the Players’ Committee.
PCA Chair, James Harris, said: “One thing I’d like to focus on this summer is the importance of the reps role and making sure that they feel well compensated and a big part of the PCA because they do some really valuable work at the clubs.
“Having that figure head in a dressing room is key to making sure all the views or concerns of the team are being heard and can be given back to the PCA who are always looking after the best interests of the players.
“I’m really looking forward to working with this group of members this summer and seeing players around the country.”
PCA England Men’s rep, Chris Woakes, said: “I’m delighted to join the PCA Committee because the older you get, you realise how crucial the support from the PCA is and the reps role is extremely important because they can help out the whole squad, not just on the field but off it too.
“I’ve always been interested in hearing other people’s thoughts on the future when we’re out on tour, so I think it’s right that the England Men’s teams now have a representative on the Committee because we can bring a lot of knowledge back to help support the county game and make sure it’s in the best place possible.
“Having a good relationship with Jimmy (James Harris) has meant that I know how he wants to move the PCA forward and he knows that the England Men’s team is a really important group of players to be able to pick their brains and hopefully I can bridge that gap.”
PCA Central Sparks rep, Eve Jones, said: “It’s great having this role and being the go between in the dressing and getting all the team’s thoughts and views on to the PCA.
“I think it’s right that we now have a rep in each of the regions instead of having one rep per two regions because what works for one squad might not necessarily be right for another.
“It’s so important that everyone knows what is on offer from the PCA and I think a lot of the girls probably didn’t realise just how much support there is that they can use from the PCA.”
View the PCA Players’ Committee and Women’s Committee.
