Becki Brooker Appointed Leicestershire Women Captain

Leicestershire CCC is excited to confirm the appointment of Becki Brooker as Leicestershire Women captain.

The 24-year-old will take over the reins from Katie Gunn, who will miss the 2024 season as she prepares for the arrival of her first child.

Brooker joined the Foxes from Lincolnshire last summer and played a starring role in a trophy-winning campaign at Uptonsteel County Ground. 

272 runs at an average of 45.33 saw the Grimsby-born batter top Leicestershire’s run-scoring charts en route to lifting the East of England Championship, while Brooker’s exceptional form also earned her both Batter of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year at the Club’s end of season awards night.

A composed opener, Brooker made successive fifties in commanding wins over Norfolk and Northamptonshire in the middle of the summer, followed by a season-high knock of 80 in a dramatic final-ball tie against Suffolk.

To date, the former Lincolnshire skipper has amassed 3,592 runs from 180 appearances “ headlined by a mammoth 214 not out playing for Cottingham CC in 2017.

Discussing her appointment as captain, Brooker said: “We’ve got a lot of talent and knowledge within this group of players, and I’m privileged to play a role in facilitating that being showcased to everyone. 

“I absolutely loved last season. I was very grateful for the welcome and backing I received from Katie [Gunn] and the coaches. The belief they had in me gave me the freedom to play my best cricket and enjoy myself while doing so. That’s something I want to continue to champion within the group.”

On her goals for the 2024 season, she added: “On a personal note, I hope to contribute to the team with the bat and set up some match-winning totals. I’m particularly excited to walk out to bat again at Grace Road in our double headers alongside the Men.

“From a leadership perspective, any captain at the start of the season will say they want to win games and trophies. While this is true, I want to push the focus onto us executing our strengths, having fun, and supporting each other fully; then I believe those good outcomes will follow.”

Leicestershire Women Head Coach, Stephen Franklin, said: “Becki possesses previous leadership experience with Lincolnshire, and she has proven a natural leader both on and off the pitch in her time at the Club so far.

“She gelled extremely well with the team and instantly won their respect, and that kind of rapport is essential in a captain.

“Katie has led the team incredibly well for many years, and we recognise it’s a tough role to fill, but we have great confidence Becki can continue that excellent work and put her own blueprint into place.”

To watch Becki and her Leicestershire teammates in action at Uptonsteel County Ground this summer, secure a 2024 Club Membership HERE.