Mia Rogers Signs Professional Cricket Contract

Senior, Mia Rogers (C329) attended Wycombe Abbey from 2013-2019 in Airlie House. Mia has recently signed her first professional cricket contract for the ‘Sunrisers’, to play in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy over the next month.

Following the news of her contract, Mia commented “This is super exciting for many reasons! Most importantly, for the game – it is the start of turning the domestic women’s structure in the UK pro, which is really promising for the future development of women’s cricket.”

What was your first memory and experience of playing cricket?

My youngest memory of playing cricket is at my local club, Henley CC. Most sessions would involve some sort of catching competition where you were eliminated if you dropped the ball. Apart from my competitive nature – loving anything that I could win – my favourite part by far was the look on the boys’ faces when they were eliminated before the only girl there, and the stick they would get from their friends for doing so. I started playing cricket because of my brother and Dad, who are both keen cricketers. We now all play together for the village team, which often turns out to be teams comprising of only four families.

How did you participate in cricket whilst at Wycombe Abbey? 

There was no cricket club at Wycombe Abbey when I joined. I played all my cricket outside of school, training late in the evenings after school commitments. However, one term the front of the school diary included a black and white photo of girls playing cricket in skirts on midget pitch from decades ago. So, with massive help from the PE department, when we started the Wycombe Abbey Cricket Club in 2019 it was really ‘re-starting’ it. We had our first incredi-ball match against Wycombe High, where I umpired in a white lab coat borrowed from the Chemistry department on a rather questionable wicket created in the middle of pitch 5.

What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?

My biggest cricket accomplishment so far is the contract I recently signed with the Sunrisers to play in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. This is my first experience of playing professional sport and is really exciting as it is the start of turning the women’s domestic cricket structure in the England pro, helping to increase the competitiveness and standard of women’s cricket in England. The final will be on Sky Sports and some of the country’s biggest cricket grounds are being used throughout the tournament, including Headingley, Trent Bridge, Edgbaston and the Ageas Bowl. It is a real shame that no crowds are allowed due to Covid-19. It is a real testament to how big the women’s game is becoming.

I have played County Cricket since U11, and really appreciate how lucky I am to be the right age just as Women’s game became more popular, creating opportunities such as this one. It was quite a surprise to be included in the Sunrisers squad and I can’t wait to experience what sport at the next level looks like.

What would you like to accomplish next?

I have deferred my place at university to have a year where more of my time is devoted to playing cricket. Fingers crossed I will get the opportunity to play in Australia over the winter, but current travel restrictions may prevent this. My dream would be to play in the Hundred Ball competition next summer, or even the Big Bash in Australia.

We are extremely proud of Mia for her recent achievements and will be cheering her and the Sunrisers on during the competition.