2025 sees the beginnings of a fundamental change in women’s cricket. Through a strong commitment of funding and attention from England’s Cricket Board, the structure of the women’s game will be changed to mirror that of the men’s.

The structure of the women’s game will be changed to mirror that of the men’s

Prior to the 2025 season, the women’s game had taken a regional approach. There were eight teams which represented specific areas of the country. This included Central Sparks, representing the West Midlands. To grow the women’s game, a three-tiered structure has been introduced. This includes Tier One – a fully professional league. Investment in the game is to increase to £16 million annually alongside these changes. Alongside the new league system is a T20 Women’s Cup, a knockout format including thirty-seven teams where Tier One teams enter at the third-round stage.

Bears Women is one of the eight teams in the inaugural Tier One division, with Yorkshire to be added in 2026. Based at Edgbaston, they will play home games at the aforementioned stadium – one of the biggest and most-loved cricket venues in the country. With hopes to advance the popularity of the women’s game, many fixtures are set to be double-headers with the Bears Men team. This enforces the Warwickshire media mantra of ‘Two Teams. One Bears’. This intra-club approach has been emphasised by the Bears and encapsulates the new era of cricket – where both sides of the game are pushed and enhanced.

One of the Bears’ signings for the 2025 season is Meg Austin – University of Birmingham student and member of the University of Birmingham Women’s Cricket Club. Meg made her Central Sparks debut in September. She appeared in the final two games of the season as a top order batter. She also scored an impressive 775 runs during the summer across Second and Youth team formats. I sat down with Meg to discuss her new journey, and how she has settled into life as a Bear.

You are part of the first ever Bears Women team – what is the feeling both individually and within the group?

Obviously, it is my first professional contract, so I just want to go into the season and cement myself in professional cricket. I want to show people what I am about, whilst enjoying it and taking in every opportunity and guidance from the more experienced players. We are a very young team and I think we have a really exciting group. As a group we obviously want to win competitions but also we want to go out there and enjoy it. We feel proud to play for the Bears and to show people that although we are quite a young team, we are ready to show what we can do and the potential that we have got.

I just want to go into the season and cement myself in professional cricket

You worked your way through the Sparks academy before signing this professional contract. How has Bears life been different?

Sparks was obviously professional, but I think with increased funding and with more professional players within the setup, the demands have taken on a new level, which is really good. We have got a performance hub now which has been made for us at Edgbaston so it is all really exciting and everyone is really enjoying it.

There is a lot on social media from Warwickshire about the Bears Men’s and Women’s teams being together as one. How have you felt this?

The support of the men has been really good. When we are both in the gym at the same time they have been really welcoming. Coming to our launch event and support like that has been really positive and it feels like a family.

With an exciting buzz around Edgbaston among the Bears Women, hard work before a big season is well underway

With an exciting buzz around Edgbaston among the Bears Women, hard work before a big season is well underway. The Women’s Vitality Blast kicks off in May and Meg will be one of several key talents to look out for. It will be exciting for The University of Birmingham Women’s Cricket Club and general students alike to support their peers and friends on the professional stage.

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