Central Sparks can confirm captain Eve Jones has played her final game for the club as she has moved to Lancashire Thunder on loan, and joins up with the northern outfit ahead of her permanent move there from November.
Jones – Sparks’ captain since 2020 – has linked up with Thunder to play for the northern side in their last three games of 2024 before making the move permanent from November.
With 2,486 runs in 73 games for the club, Jones has been a prominent figure at Sparks since the side’s inception in 2020.
The 32-year-old, said: “I’ve had an amazing five years at Sparks, met some incredible people and made some unbelievable memories. I feel so privileged to have captained Sparks for five years since we formed back in 2020.
“I’m proud of the journey that we have been on. A few highlights along the way include making the semi-final of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in our first year, coming second in the Charlotte Edwards Cup in 2022, and making Finals Day this year.
“I’d like to thank all the staff for their dedication to both myself and the team for the last five years, and to my teammates. I have been very fortunate to play with some great cricketers, but even better people.”
Jones enjoyed her best year in 2021 when the opening batter was voted PCA Women’s Player of the Year, the first time a domestic women’s player had won the award. The accolade came after winning two separate PCA Player of the Month awards, the PCA Charlotte Edwards Cup MVP and PCA Overall MVP throughout the season.
Director of Women’s Cricket, Laura MacLeod expressed her thanks to Jones, adding: “I’d like to place on record my thanks to Eve for her years of service to us.
“She has been an integral part of the team and our journey, putting in the hard yards, captaining the side and being a fantastic person as well as player for us.
“We wish her the best as she moves on.”
Jones is one of only three players, alongside Abbey Freeborn and Amy Jones, to have scored a century for Sparks.
Eve Jones, cap number one. Once a Spark, always a Spark.
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