Carla Rudd: Young women now have opportunity for full-time cricket careers, says wicketkeeper
Rudd gave up top-flight cricket at the age of 28 to focus on her new role as director of sports at Leys School, Cambridge.
But the Southern Vipers stalwart, who has racked up 75 dismissals - more than any other keeper in women's professional cricket - says the game's expansion now offers more great opportunities for young players.
"It depends on your age," Rudd told BBC Radio Solent.
"There may still be a few women like me who are still good enough to play, but have to make the difficult decision of whether they can balance their job with cricket.
< p class=" " data-reactid=".1i0c49ajrnw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6">"Some might, but I think if you're out of college now, in your early twenties, there's this potential for a career in the game."They increase the (number of) contracts, the Rachael trophy Heyhoe Flint doubled which is more playing time and you also have the England opportunity, if you're good enough.
"I think the young players coming up can really see that there is a career in cricket now and that's exciting."
During her six-year stint with the Vipers, Rudd won successive over-50 titles in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, as well as the 2016 Women's Super League championship and T20 success in the Charlotte Edwards Cup in the summer. last.
"Cricket is progressing, which is fantastic, but it means that players are going to have to engage more - they're going to have to give more time," she said.
"That would mean more free time and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do well either because I would be too spread out.
"I have a great job in school and I really want to do it well. I have to put my effort into making the sport here the best it can be."
Despite a...
Rudd gave up top-flight cricket at the age of 28 to focus on her new role as director of sports at Leys School, Cambridge.
But the Southern Vipers stalwart, who has racked up 75 dismissals - more than any other keeper in women's professional cricket - says the game's expansion now offers more great opportunities for young players.
"It depends on your age," Rudd told BBC Radio Solent.
"There may still be a few women like me who are still good enough to play, but have to make the difficult decision of whether they can balance their job with cricket.
< p class=" " data-reactid=".1i0c49ajrnw.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-6">"Some might, but I think if you're out of college now, in your early twenties, there's this potential for a career in the game."They increase the (number of) contracts, the Rachael trophy Heyhoe Flint doubled which is more playing time and you also have the England opportunity, if you're good enough.
"I think the young players coming up can really see that there is a career in cricket now and that's exciting."
During her six-year stint with the Vipers, Rudd won successive over-50 titles in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, as well as the 2016 Women's Super League championship and T20 success in the Charlotte Edwards Cup in the summer. last.
"Cricket is progressing, which is fantastic, but it means that players are going to have to engage more - they're going to have to give more time," she said.
"That would mean more free time and I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do well either because I would be too spread out.
"I have a great job in school and I really want to do it well. I have to put my effort into making the sport here the best it can be."
Despite a...
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