Berkshire Players Selected for Southern Vipers Academy and Emerging Players Programme
Berkshire Cricket is delighted to congratulate a number of our female pathway players who have been selected into the Southern Vipers’ 2025/26 Regional Academy and Emerging Players Programme. Their selection underlines the hard work the girls have put in so far in their cricketing journey.
Academy Selections
We are proud to announce that three Berkshire pathway players have been named in a 12 player Vipers Academy for 2025-26:
Molly Bulteel – Finchampstead CC
Shristi Patil – Slough CC
Naaz Asif Iqbal – Slough CC
Molly and Shristi are both retained on the Academy for a second season and are joined by 15-year-old Naaz Asif Iqbal, a new addition to the Academy. Naaz had a brilliant 2025 season with Berkshire, picking up 34 wickets for the U18 and Women’s 1st XI with her off spin while still being 14. She also played several games with the Vipers Academy, including taking 10 wickets in the match against Warwickshire in a 3-day fixture.
Naaz is the first graduate of Berkshire Cricket’s Extra Provision Group to be selected for a Regional Academy. Find out more about our Extra Provision Group below.
Emerging Players Programme (EPP)
Eight Berkshire players have been selected for the Vipers Emerging Players Programme for 2025/26, joining a cohort of 28 players from across the South-Central region.
Emma MacEwen – Sulhamstead & Ufton CC (Retained)
Mary Briscoe – Henley CC (Retained)
Lily Bowlby – Henley CC (Retained)
Tanvi Ravikumar – Slough CC (Retained)
Fiza Asif Iqbal – Slough CC (New Addition)
Sahasra Gupta – Slough CC (New Addition)
Ruhi Kashyap – Slough CC (New Addition)
Livia Sharma – Reading CC (New Addition)
Mary had a brilliant summer, earning a regular spot in the Women’s 1st XI while also impressing in Academy and Hampshire 2nd XI opportunities. Emma made her 1st team debut as a seam bowling all-rounder, picking up 7 wickets across 4 games. Lily continued her strong impact with both bat and ball, while Tanvi made her 1st team debut as an U15 with her left-arm wrist spin.
Fiza joins the EPP after putting in outstanding work over the past few seasons, while Sahasra, Ruhi and Liv progress after impressing as U13s following a year on Berkshire’s EPG. These additions mean 9 players have now progressed from Berkshire’s Extra Provision Group into an EPP across the programme’s three years.
Hampshire/Southern Vipers Announcement:
https://www.utilitabowl.com/cricket/news/hampshire-confirm-vipers-academy-cohort-for-2025-26/
A Message From Tom Jackson, Women and Girls Pathway Lead
“We are once again delighted to see a strong representation of Berkshire cricketers on both the Regional Academy and EPP. I would like to congratulate the girls for all their hard work so far and look forward to continuing to see them develop over the next 12 months.
The players selection also highlights the hard work that the pathways coaching team have put in over a number of years, to whom I extend my thanks. The work that goes on in the girls club game in Berkshire has also undoubtedly supported many players’ development. The players involved this year highlight how every pathway journey is non-linear and progresses at different times.”
Berkshire Representation
In total, 11 players from Berkshire (3 Academy and 8 EPP) have been selected. Berkshire players now account for over one-quarter of all players across the South-Central Regional Programmes. The Talent Pathway Catchment Area covers Hampshire, Sussex, Berkshire, Dorset, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
This is a tremendous achievement for the county and shows the strength of our players, coaches and support staff. It also reaffirms our commitment to offering girls in Berkshire the right environment and pathway towards the women’s professional game.
Berkshire Cricket’s Extra Provision Group
Berkshire Cricket’s Extra Provision Group (EPG) is a fully funded programme delivered by the county. It provides weekly additional coaching and development support for high-potential female players, helping bridge the gap from county cricket into regional EPP environments.
Now in its third year, the EPG has played a key role in the progress of several players recognised in this announcement. Nine players have now moved from the EPG into a Regional EPP, and this pathway continues to be an important part of how we support talented girls across Berkshire.
Want to make an impact? Sponsor the Extra Provision Group
Our Extra Provision Group is one of the most important investments we make in the girls pathway. It is delivered above and beyond the core funding we receive and has already proven to be a key driver in helping Berkshire players take the next step towards regional cricket.
As the programme grows, so does the cost of running it, and we are now looking for a partner to help us continue this work and expand the support we can offer. A sponsorship of the Extra Provision Group would directly impact the development of talented young female cricketers in Berkshire and help us keep the programme fully funded for families.
If you are interested in supporting this programme or would like to discuss sponsorship options, please complete form below or contact ryan.allan@berkshirecricketfoundation.org.