England’s fast bowler Lauren Filer has secured a three-year contract with Durham, joining ahead of the club’s debut season as a Tier 1 women’s county in 2025.
Filer, known for her speed as the quickest bowler in England’s current lineup, follows her national teammate Mady Villiers in making a significant move to Durham. The club is now the northern-most representative in the revamped women's domestic structure, taking over from the Northern Diamonds, based in Headingley.
At 23, Filer has already made a strong impression on the international stage, most notably during last summer’s Ashes series. Her standout performance came during a fierce debut in the one-off Test at Trent Bridge. So far, she has represented England in 17 matches across various formats, although she was left out of this month’s T20 World Cup in the UAE.
Having developed through Somerset’s cricketing pathway, Filer has made 41 appearances for Western Storm since signing her first professional contract in 2020. Her best bowling figures, 3 for 8, were achieved in this year’s Charlotte Edwards Cup. Filer has also showcased her skills in The Hundred, representing Welsh Fire, London Spirit, and Manchester Originals, and claimed career-best figures of 3 for 10 during England’s recent ODI series against Ireland in Belfast.
Expressing her excitement about the move, Filer mentioned that she was thrilled to join Durham, a place where she has fond cricketing memories. She highlighted that the club's values played a significant role in her decision, as they aligned with what she believes is essential for a thriving and positive cricket environment. Filer also noted that with the recent changes to the women’s cricket structure, it is crucial to continue progressing the women’s game, and she feels Durham has the resources and support to achieve that. She is eager to contribute to the team’s success alongside a talented group of players.
Durham's Director of Cricket, Marcus North, shared his enthusiasm for the signing, describing Filer as one of the most exciting young fast bowlers in the country. He highlighted her pace and quality, which have made her stand out since her breakthrough during last year’s Women's Ashes. North expressed confidence that Filer will play a key role in Durham’s women’s team and looks forward to supporting her ambitions both for England and with the club.