England's women join PCA

England's female cricketers have taken another step towards a fully professional structure after being welcomed as members of the Professional Cricketers' Association.

Following on from their Ashes, World Cup and World Twenty20 success in recent seasons, the women's team has enjoyed increased funding from the ECB, with several of the team combining coaching careers with on-field success.

Clare Connor, head of England Women's cricket for the ECB, said: "Joining the PCA takes the England Women's game further towards a professional era.

"ECB do everything they can to support players to be the best they can on the pitch, and PCA membership will only help that process. Huge credit must go to PCA chief executive Angus Porter, who has been tremendously supportive."

Porter added: "The PCA looks after the interests of all professional cricketers. The England women are highly professional and very successful and it's absolutely right that we should embrace them into our organisation."