Zara Craig

Zara Craig's journey into the cricketing world began like many great stories do—with a natural, yet somewhat unexpected, twist. Born on New Year's Day in 2004, Zara's first knowledge of cricket came from impromptu games in her neighbour's garden in Hove, where she grew up. Initially consumed more by curiosity than ambition, Zara's transformation from a lively toddler enthusiastically wielding a plastic bat to a formidable presence on the cricket pitch is nothing short of remarkable.

Her prowess with the ball became evident during her teenage years when she joined the Sussex County Cricket Club. Her right-arm fast-medium deliveries turned heads and uprooted stumps with a consistency that belied her age. By her late teens, she had evolved into a bowler who didn’t just aim for wickets but consistently found them, making her professional debut for the Southern Vipers at just 17. From there, her trajectory only soared.

Zara quickly carved a niche for herself in domestic and international circuits through relentless dedication, puzzle-solving creativity, and an uncanny ability to exploit conditions. Her most memorable match came during the Women's Cricket Super League final in 2023, where she claimed five wickets against the Western Storm. This spell not only sealed the victory for Southern Vipers but also marked Zara as a force to reckon with in clutch moments.

Her steadiness with the bat, often underestimated due to her primary role as a bowler, has bailed out her teams on several occasions. Zara, a right-handed batswoman, brought her cool-headed temperament to the crease, managing crucial partnerships that swung matches in her team’s favour.

With an impressive tally of over 150 wickets in domestic cricket by 2023 and several Player of the Match awards, Zara Craig has brimmed with tenacity and spirit. She thrived on rivalry, most notably with fellow bowler Elise Turner, each encounter eagerly anticipated by fans and pundits alike, as they battled for supremacy.

Yet it's not just numbers and records that define Zara. Her leadership in advocating mental well-being in sports and her involvement in youth cricket camps in Sussex have made significant impacts off the field too. Zara Craig represents the blend of talent and resilience, as her journey continues to inspire the next wave of cricketers globally, profound not just in the feats of her arm but in the grounding presence she is on and off the pitch.

Batting Stats

Bowling Stats