SOMERSET have signed England captain Heather Knight ahead of the revamp of the women’s professional game in 2025.

Knight represented Devon and Berkshire before joining Western Storm. However, the regional system is making way for an eight-county professional set-up from next season, with Yorkshire and Glamorgan due to be added in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

Knight, who became England captain in 2016 and led her country to World Cup glory the following year, said: “Somerset is a club that holds a special place in my heart, so I’m incredibly excited about this opportunity.

“We have a genuine opportunity to create something special. This is the first Somerset women’s team of the professional era, and we have a duty to those who have gone before and laid the foundations to make sure that we are a team that competes on the field and inspires young people across the region.”

Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry added: “Heather is a world-class performer who has shown her quality on the biggest stages across the world. She is hugely respected within and outside the game, and the experience she can share both on and off the field will have a major impact on the team, the club and the region.”