Yorkshire's bid to host a Tier 1 team in England's new domestic women's structure was unsuccessful. However, ECB chief executive Richard Gould has stated that this does not amount to the club being 'punished for past sins'. Yorkshire's board expressed their disappointment at not receiving funding for a fully professional side until 2027.
Since their formation, Northern Diamonds, the regional side in the north east, have primarily been based at Headingley. However, in 2024, they will also play home games at Chester-le-Street, Scarborough, and York. Starting in 2025, Durham will host a Tier 1 county in the initial eight-team structure. Yorkshire's board described this as 'tough to take'.
Yorkshire's board stated:
"We believe we hit all of the criteria set out as part of the tender, so we will be taking time to investigate and understand the detail behind the decision."The statement also emphasised Yorkshire's significant active playing base of women and girls, as well as the county's success in producing players who have gone on to play for England at an international level.
Last year, Yorkshire was heavily fined and had points deducted due to the club's inadequate response to allegations of institutional racism. The club expressed disappointment that they could not use a Tier 1 women's team to help them achieve their goal of becoming the most welcoming and inclusive cricket club in the country.
The Professional Cricketers' Association expects some initial difficulties and has pledged, along with the ECB, to ensure that counties deliver on the proposals outlined in their bids. England captain Heather Knight, who plays for Western Storm, which represents three different counties, hopes that the accountability issue will be addressed.
Gould welcomed the PCA's scrutiny of counties.
In addition to Yorkshire, seven other counties were unsuccessful in their bids. Glamorgan, like Yorkshire, has been informed that they will receive funding to host a Tier 1 team from 2027. Kent, Leicestershire, and Middlesex all issued forthright statements in response. Gould acknowledged that many clubs are disappointed.