Shristi Patil Signs Professional Contract with Hampshire
We are delighted to announce that Berkshire Cricketer Shristi Patil has signed a professional contract with our Tier 1 partners Hampshire Cricket.
The contract represents another significant milestone in the development of one of Berkshire’s most exciting young cricketers, and provides another excellent example of the pathway within the region providing girls from Berkshire with a clear and aspirational route towards the professional game
Shristi, now 17, has been part of the Berkshire pathway since she was just 10 years old, progressing though the age-group programme alongside making her Berkshire Women’s 1st XI debut.
Berkshire Women’s Talent Pathway Lead – Tom Jackson said:
“Everyone at Berkshire is incredibly proud of Shristi and what she has already achieved to date. Having had the opportunity to work with her and witness her growth, not just as a cricketer but as a person, it’s incredibly rewarding to see her earn a professional contract.
Beyond her cricket, Shristi has grown hugely as an individual into the funny and confident personality we know today, while always displaying a real sense of humility. She has become a much-loved member of our squad and someone her teammates genuinely enjoy being around.
I’d also like to take a moment to recognise the role that Slough Cricket Club’s girls programme has played in Shristi’s journey. Her development started within club cricket and the work being done by Slough CC is hugely important in creating the opportunities for young girls from the area to progress into the county pathway and beyond.”
Her development has also seen her progress into the Vipers Emerging Players Programme, before subsequently signing an Academy contract with the Vipers. Throughout that progression, Shristi has continued to represent Berkshire, playing both age-group and 1st XI cricket alongside being part of the regional pathway.
Hampshire Cricket’s Regional Director of Women’s Cricket – Adam Carty said:
“Sincere thanks to our friends at Berkshire Cricket Foundation for their concerted efforts and contribution toward developing such a wonderful young woman! Shristi came on to our regional radar in late 2022, and from day one she demonstrated an x-factor that turned plenty of heads with her batting skills. She has a great character, an exceptional application, and hunger second to none. We are very excited by her potential and share a collective intent to support her progress in the game. I think we’ve unearthed a very exciting talent!”
Most recently, Shristi represented Berkshire Under 18s in their National T20 Quarter Final knockout against Nottinghamshire in September, underlining her continue involvement with the Berkshire pathway. This summer also saw Shristi become just the 6th Women to score a Berkshire 1st XI hundred. She joins a special list of players which includes Heather Knight, Claire Taylor, Poppy Tulloch, Alice MacLeod and Ariana Dowse.
Berkshire Cricket’s CEO – Mark Roche said:
“For us at Berkshire, Shristi’s journey is a brilliant example of what we want our pathway to provide – a clear and aspirational route for girls from Berkshire to the professional game. It highlights the important role that National Counties can play in supporting the professional game. We’re delighted to have played a part in that journey and couldn’t be prouder of her, and we really look forward to seeing what comes next for her”
Shristi’s journey is a strong reflection on Berkshire’s ability to deliver a clear and aspirational pathway to the professional game in conjunction with our partners. This represents another example of the successful partnership between Berkshire Cricket and Hampshire Cricket/Southern Vipers.
Shristi joins fellow Berkshire Cricket age group graduates Poppy Tulloch, Ava Lee & Lauren Bell in the Hampshire Women squad.
Berkshire Cricket would like to congratulate Shristi on this fantastic achievement and wish her every success as she begins the next chapter of her cricket journey as a professional cricketer with Hampshire.