Sophia Smale is revelling in the ‘life-changing’ opportunity afforded her, and dozens of fellow aspiring young women cricketers, following record investment in the game

Western Storm’s talented teenage spinner Sophia Smale was all set to apply to universities after her A-Levels this summer but the England and Wales Cricket Board’s decision to fund the women’s game to the tune of £10.5m in 2023 and 2024 proved a game-changer for the Newport-based player. Offered a professional contract by Western Storm in November, Smale did not hesitate to shelve further education plans to realise a long-he...