Clare Connor, managing director of England women’s cricket and deputy chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), is set to leave her position after the Women’s T20 World Cup hosted in England this summer. Connor’s departure will come after the tournament’s final, scheduled for July 5 at Lord’s Cricket Ground.
Connor has been with the ECB for 18 years, during which time women’s cricket in England has transitioned from amateur status to a professional sport, accompanied by several reforms to the domestic cricket structure. Her influence on the development of the game has been substantial.
Prior to her administrative career, Connor was a prominent England player, earning 111 caps over a decade. She famously captained England to victory in the 2005 Ashes, a landmark achievement as it ended a 42-year drought against Australia. During her playing career, she also worked as a teacher and retired from international cricket at age 29.
Throughout her post-playing career, Connor has held several pioneering roles. In 2021-22, she became the first woman to serve as president of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). She was also the first female member of the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) cricket committee and remains chair of the ICC’s women’s cricket committee. Between 2022 and 2023, she served as ECB’s interim chief executive.
Reflecting on her tenure, Connor emphasized her commitment to advancing gender equality within cricket. She expressed pride in contributing to creating a more inclusive environment that allows young women and girls to pursue cricket professionally. “Helping to grow women’s cricket for the past 18 years has been an absolute privilege,” she stated. “My goals as an administrator have been firmly rooted in making cricket more equal for women and girls, so that it is as normal for a girl to pick up a cricket bat as it is for a boy.”
Connor’s decision to leave is personal, and no successor has been announced yet. Her tenure with the ECB has been marked by efforts to break down barriers and improve opportunities in women’s cricket, reflecting a significant cultural shift in the sport.
The Women’s T20 World Cup, which will conclude with a final at Lord’s, marks the end of an era for Connor and represents a key moment for English women’s cricket as it continues on its path of growth and professionalization.
