For more than a century, Gray-Nicolls has been at the heart of cricket. But its story is not just one of men’s Ashes battles and record-breaking innings. From the very beginning of organised women’s cricket, Gray-Nicolls has been there too — backing pioneers, equipping champions, and helping to push the women’s game to the global stage it deserves.
The Pioneers
The modern women’s game owes much to Rachael Heyhoe Flint, who led England to victory in the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1973. Throughout her career, Heyhoe Flint trusted Gray-Nicolls, and with it she helped bring women’s cricket into the spotlight.
The 1980s and 90s brought another Gray-Nicolls star: Jan Brittin. One of England’s most elegant batters, Brittin became the first woman to appear on the front cover of The Cricketer magazine — pictured with her Gray-Nicolls Scoop. She went on to use the iconic bat in England’s 1993 World Cup triumph, cementing her place as one of the greats.
Taking the Game Global
As women’s cricket expanded, Gray-Nicolls was there at every step. In 2017, the brand partnered with the ICC for the Women’s World Cup, providing the stage for one of the tournament’s most unforgettable innings. In the semi-final against Australia, Harmanpreet Kaur lit up Derby with a stunning 171 from 115 balls, all with a Gray-Nicolls in hand. Though her fifty in the final at Lord’s wasn’t enough to stop England’s victory, Gray-Nicolls enjoyed proud representation on both sides: Lauren Winfield and Laura Marsh both contributed valuable runs for the hosts.
That same year, New Zealand teenager Amelia Kerr made headlines with a world-record unbeaten 232 against Ireland in Dublin, the highest individual score in women’s ODI cricket. Seven years later, Kerr was at the centre of New Zealand’s greatest moment: victory at the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. In the final, she scored 43 runs and took three wickets. Across the tournament she was the leading wicket-taker and among the top run-scorers, earning the Player of the Tournament award.
The Modern Icons
The current generation of Gray-Nicolls players is redefining women’s cricket.
- Tammy Beaumont has been a record-breaking force for England. In 2023, she scored 206 against Australia, setting a new record for an England women’s Test innings. She was also the first woman to hit a hundred in The Hundred, scoring for Welsh Fire, and in 2024 added an unbeaten 150 against Ireland to her growing list of milestones.
- Maia Bouchier announced herself on the world stage with an ODI hundred against New Zealand, followed by a century on Test debut against South Africa — cementing her place as one of the top batters across all formats.
- Heather Knight, England captain and one of the most respected players of her generation, returned to Gray-Nicolls 15 years after her debut, once again putting her trust in the brand she began her journey with.
- Beth Mooney, the world’s number one ranked T20 batter, showcased her brilliance in the 2023 World Cup final, guiding Australia to glory and earning Player of the Match honours.
- Annabel Sutherland enjoyed a golden 2024, starting the year with a double century in the Perth Test against South Africa and ending it with another hundred in the third ODI against India at the very same ground.
Together, these players have not only lifted trophies but also inspired the next generation of cricketers to pick up a bat and dream.
The GEM Range: Made for Women
For decades, female cricketers made do with equipment designed for men. Gray-Nicolls changed that. Listening to players, the brand developed the GEM range — cricket bats, pads and gloves created specifically for the women’s game. Lighter, more balanced, and built for performance, GEM equipment is designed to help female players perform at their best.
The range has already been seen on the world’s biggest stages, from Test matches to World Cups, and is fast becoming the go-to choice for professional and amateur players alike.
A Future Written in Red
From Heyhoe Flint to Kerr, from Brittin to Beaumont, Gray-Nicolls has stood beside the trailblazers and champions of women’s cricket. The GEM range signals that commitment is stronger than ever, ensuring female players have the tools they need to reach new heights.
The women’s game is no longer in the shadows — it is at the heart of the cricketing world. And as it continues to grow, one thing is certain: Gray-Nicolls will be there, supporting every boundary, every record, and every victory.
