Western Storm retain Claire, Gemma, Katie and Emily
Western Storm are pleased to be able to announce that Claire Nicholas, Gemma Lane, Katie Jones and Emily Geach will be remaining with the team in 2024.
The four players have been named in this season’s squad on a pay-as-you-play basis.
Claire Nicholas
Claire made her Storm debut in 2017 against Southern Vipers in the KIA Super League. Since then, she has gone on to feature in 48 matches for the team, taking 46 wickets with a best of three for 11.
The right-arm off spinner, who made her debut for Cricket Wales in 2004 as a teenager, is also a regular in The Hundred and will once again represent Welsh Fire in 2024. The 37-year-old works full time as a primary school teacher and will appear for Storm when her schedule allows.
On the eve of the new season, Claire said: “I’m looking forward to another season with Storm and getting some wins under our belt in 2024.”
Gemma Lane
A product of the Hampshire Player Pathway, the 20-year-old right-arm seamer made her Western Storm debut against Sunrisers in the Racheal Heyhoe-Flint Trophy at Radlett in September of last year. Her performance saw her retain her place in the side for the remaining three fixtures of the competition.
Gemma is currently in her final year at Bath University and is looking forward to the season ahead. “I feel very proud to represent Western Storm,” she said. “I’m looking forward to a successful season for the team, putting all our hard work from the winter into practice. I will be doing all I can to bring a trophy home.”
Emily Geach
20-year-old Emily played her way through the Cornwall age groups before making her debut for the County in 2018.
She represented Western Storm in a 50-over warm up match against Southern Vipers in 2020 before joining the Storm Academy the following year.
Her Storm debut came against Thunder in Manchester in 2022.
The Gloucestershire seamer is currently studying at the University of Gloucestershire.
“I’m delighted to be joining the squad this summer,” she said. “I had to have a fair amount of time off last summer with injury, so I can’t wait to get outside and get back to playing cricket competitively.”
Katie Jones
18-year-old wicket keeper Katie is a product of the Gloucestershire Pathway system and she joined the Western Storm Academy in 2022.
Her Storm debut came in May last year against The Blaze at the Upton Steel County Ground, Leicester. She featured in a total of six matches in the competition, scoring 48 runs at an average of 24 with a best of 32. With the gloves, she claimed a catch and two stumpings. Katie also featured in the Charlotte Edward Cup fixture against Northern Diamonds at Headingley.
This winter saw Katie selected in the England Under 19 squad for the tri-series against Sri Lanka and Australia. She captained the side in the second game against Sri Lanka and made an impressive 57 against Australia.
Regarding the 2024 season, Katie said: “It’s an absolute privilege to be re-selected into such a tight-knit squad here at Storm. The environment is like no other, and with everybody coming from all across the region it means the team is like a second family. I can’t wait for summer to get started and see where 2024 takes us after a long winter of hard work. I’d love to be able to reach a finals day with the squad this year and personally, I hope to get more game time and put some performances on the board. I can’t wait to get started.”
