Somerset batter and England World Cup winner Fran Wilson has announced her retirement from cricket.
The 33-year-old returned to Somerset in 2025 for a second spell, as the women’s side turned professional, and scored 574 runs in 28 matches.
She previously played for the club between 2006 and 2014 and scored more than 2, 500 runs in List A and T20 games.
Wilson played 64 times for England across three formats and was part of the team that won the 2017 ICC World Cup before she retired from international cricket in 2021.
“I have decided that the 2025 season was my last and that I will be hanging up my bat – for good this time”, Wilson told the Somerset website.
“What a ride it’s been, one that’s taken me to all corners of the globe with England and then in more recent times back to the West Country.
” To have a locker in the changing room at the CACG]Somerset’s County Ground] was beyond my wildest dreams as a young player.
“To know this opportunity is now normal for women is incredible and to have been a part of the growth of the game is something I take immense pride in”.
Wilson made her England debut in 2010 aged 19 but it was not until 2016 that she became a regular in the international squad.
During the 2017 50-over World Cup triumph, she played in eight of England’s nine matches including the final against India.
She was also part of the team that reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2020.
Domestically, Wilson won the Kia Super League title twice with Western Storm and has also represented Sunrisers, Kent and Gloucestershire and played in four editions of The Hundred.
Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said Wilson had left a “lasting mark” on the women’s game.
“Ahead of her now is an amazing opportunity to draw from all that experience as she takes the next step on her journey”, he added.
Somerset batter and England World Cup winner Fran Wilson has announced her retirement from cricket.
The 33-year-old returned to Somerset in 2025 for a second spell, as the women’s side turned professional, and scored 574 runs in 28 matches.
She previously played for the club between 2006 and 2014 and scored more than 2, 500 runs in List A and T20 games.
Wilson played 64 times for England across three formats and was part of the team that won the 2017 ICC World Cup before she retired from international cricket in 2021.
“I have decided that the 2025 season was my last and that I will be hanging up my bat – for good this time”, Wilson told the Somerset website.
“What a ride it’s been, one that’s taken me to all corners of the globe with England and then in more recent times back to the West Country.
” To have a locker in the changing room at the CACG]Somerset’s County Ground] was beyond my wildest dreams as a young player.
“To know this opportunity is now normal for women is incredible and to have been a part of the growth of the game is something I take immense pride in”.
Wilson made her England debut in 2010 aged 19 but it was not until 2016 that she became a regular in the international squad.
During the 2017 50-over World Cup triumph, she played in eight of England’s nine matches including the final against India.
She was also part of the team that reached the T20 World Cup semi-finals in 2020.
Domestically, Wilson won the Kia Super League title twice with Western Storm and has also represented Sunrisers, Kent and Gloucestershire and played in four editions of The Hundred.
Somerset director of cricket Andy Hurry said Wilson had left a “lasting mark” on the women’s game.
“Ahead of her now is an amazing opportunity to draw from all that experience as she takes the next step on her journey”, he added.
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Craig Bellamy “understands” why his name has been linked with the vacant managerial role at former club Celtic but is “fully committed” to Wales.
Brendan Rodgers resigned as Celtic boss last month and their list of potential replacements included their former forward Bellamy, who is contracted to Wales until 2028.
But Bellamy says he is focused on the upcoming World Cup qualifiers as Wales bid to reach next summer’s finals.
Wales face Liechtenstein and North Macedonia in their final World Cup qualifying group games in November and two wins would guarantee runners-up spot in Group J.
As a player Bellamy, who was appointed Wales boss in July 2024, spent the second half of the 2004-05 season on loan at Celtic from Newcastle United.
“I can understand the links because I played there, [now] I’m coaching, so I definitely understand the links,” the 46-year-old added.
“But to me, I love what I’m doing at this present moment. I have to be honest, I’m completely focused on what’s to come.
“It looks it’s going to be a play-off in March, we know that and to me, that’s all I’m focused on and I know it’s a little bit cliched, but it’s the honest truth.
14 hours ago
1 day ago
14 October
The former Liverpool and Manchester City player has impressed in his first senior managerial role, leading Wales to promotion to the top tier of the Nations League and implementing an adventurous new style of play.
Bellamy is in the midst of the most testing spell of his tenure so far, with Wales losing three of their past four matches in all competitions.
“I have a number of years to run… I did sign a four-year contract,” Bellamy added.
“Now, I know the game as well. Like, you lot might have had enough of me in a short space of time, that’s reality as well.
“But I feel as long as I’m wanted, and people in Wales feel like I can add, then that to me is something that motivates me, then I stay.
“I try and live day by day you know, it’s not always wise but to me it makes sense and in that I try and appreciate what I have.
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
153 Comments
Craig Bellamy “understands” why his name has been linked with the vacant managerial role at former club Celtic but is “fully committed” to Wales.
Brendan Rodgers resigned as Celtic boss last month and their list of potential replacements included their former forward Bellamy, who is contracted to Wales until 2028.
But Bellamy says he is focused on the upcoming World Cup qualifiers as Wales bid to reach next summer’s finals.
Wales face Liechtenstein and North Macedonia in their final World Cup qualifying group games in November and two wins would guarantee runners-up spot in Group J.
As a player Bellamy, who was appointed Wales boss in July 2024, spent the second half of the 2004-05 season on loan at Celtic from Newcastle United.
“I can understand the links because I played there, [now] I’m coaching, so I definitely understand the links,” the 46-year-old added.
“But to me, I love what I’m doing at this present moment. I have to be honest, I’m completely focused on what’s to come.
“It looks it’s going to be a play-off in March, we know that and to me, that’s all I’m focused on and I know it’s a little bit cliched, but it’s the honest truth.
14 hours ago
1 day ago
14 October
The former Liverpool and Manchester City player has impressed in his first senior managerial role, leading Wales to promotion to the top tier of the Nations League and implementing an adventurous new style of play.
Bellamy is in the midst of the most testing spell of his tenure so far, with Wales losing three of their past four matches in all competitions.
“I have a number of years to run… I did sign a four-year contract,” Bellamy added.
“Now, I know the game as well. Like, you lot might have had enough of me in a short space of time, that’s reality as well.
“But I feel as long as I’m wanted, and people in Wales feel like I can add, then that to me is something that motivates me, then I stay.
“I try and live day by day you know, it’s not always wise but to me it makes sense and in that I try and appreciate what I have.
Major General Abdullahi Mohammed Adangba (rtd)’s passing has left him feeling depressed, according to President Bola Tinubu. Former Undersecretary of State to Presidents Umaru Yar’Adua and Olusegun Obasanjo
President Tinubu’s condolence message was included in a statement released on Wednesday by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga.
General Mohammed, who passed away at the age of 86, left a lasting impression on the security framework of the country, particularly with the establishment of the National Security Organization, the precursor to the State Security Services, the National Intelligence Agency, and the Defence Intelligence Agency.
Read more about Gen. Adangba’s death at 86, the Kwara government, and others who mourn
Between 1975 and 1976, he served as governor of the now-defunct Benue-Plateau State. General Mohammed was described by President Tinubu as a disciplined, loyal, and patriotic officer with decades of distinguished service to Nigeria and contributions to its stability and governance.
The President praised General Adangba’s extraordinary sense of duty, order, humility, and integrity that had a lasting impact on the organizations he served, and those who came in contact with him, particularly in the State House, where he had a significant influence on how the Presidency operated.
He had a character that was exceptional, combining the wisdom of a soldier with the prudence of a statesman.
The President claims that his years at the State House were marked by humility, efficiency, and unwavering support for the Nigerian project.
BBC Radio 1 DJ and new mum Vick Hope tends to keep her romance and family life private – but recently gave rare comments about her new journey into parenting her son Micah
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Vick Hope returned to work hosting the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards(Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images f)
Gracing the stage with confidence, beauty and poise at the Glamour Women Of The Year Awards, it is undetectable to those who are unaware that Vick Hope is still in the newborn trenches.
The 36 year old BBC Radio 1 star gave birth to her first child Micah Nwosu Wiles with husband Calvin Harris just 14 weeks ago at the time of the event, but presenting for the star is like slipping back into a pair of old slippers.
However, as she took to the stage to introduce the annual awards ceremony, which this year recognised the Sugababes, Rachel Zegler, Hannah Hampton and Adowah Aboah, she gave fans a candid insight into her new journey into motherhood.
Speaking to the crowd new mum Vick had one request from attendees: “Not to sound like the first person ever to have a child but I am simultaneously so unbelievably in love and I feel like this Superwoman – just pumping in my boobs…
” But also, I have not slept or drank a cup of tea while it’s still hot for 13 weeks, so please be gentle with me. “
Meanwhile, on her first public outing after giving birth, she added:” I tell you what, it is a lot, it’s a lot to be back out for the first time other than a photograph of my placenta, which, to be fair, has been out and about quite a bit already – posted by my husband, who was in utter awe of what the body can do, appreciates that we all come from a placenta and that, frankly, it is magnificent. “
Vick’s DJ husband Calvin Harris did, in fact, share a a photograph of Vick’s placenta on his Instagram to announce the arrival of Micah – alongside a string of candid photos of the gorgeous star in a birthing pool during her home birth, at the couple’s stunning Ibiza estate. One photo even shows a glimpse of a newborn Micah with his parents moments after being born, which Vick cradling him in the pool while new dad Calvin leans over to greet his son.
In the caption, Calvin’s pride was clear as he penned:” 20th of July our boy arrived. Micah is here! My wife is a superhero and I am in complete awe of her primal wisdom! Just so grateful. We love you so much Micah”, followed by three red heart emojis.
While Calvin has littered his social media pages (quite rightly) with sweet snaps of his son, Vick meanwhile has been taking a quieter approach to her social media habits. She shared a few photos in August, giving parents a glimpse into her new life as a mother. Her images included a picture of her placenta, sweet captured images of her cradling baby Micah, as well as the son with Adeline Nwosu and Geordie Nigel Hope, Vick’s parents, as well as impression prints of her placenta.
Our adored baby boy Micah Nwosu Wiles arrived at our home on July 20th in Ibiza, surrounded by love, nature, and chickens.
“We are so utterly besotted with you and we are so utterly besotted with you,” says Micah, “emerging from our little newborn bubble.”
In the meantime, Vick acknowledged that she was cautious about taking a photo for the first time since becoming a mother, something that many mothers will recall and fully understand.
She confessed: ” sort of feel like I’m tentatively emerging in front of all of your beautiful faces, just crawling out of my cave like a little gremlin, having been cocooned away from the world of this just magical newborn bubble for the last three months – covered in bright yellow s**t.”
She continued, “But there was no way I was going to miss this evening, this incredible celebration of womanhood, especially given what my vagina has just done; it’s f**king majestic”?
Following the disgraced former DJ’s arrest for sexual offences against seven women, including four counts of rape, she declared “F**k Tim Westwood” elsewhere in the powerful opening speech. Nick also criticised the “absolute bin fire” of a Handmaid’s Tale situation in the United States of America, as well as the Roe v. Wade bill’s overturning in 2022. We must continue to watch how our rights can be violated, she continued, “Even though we saw the end of a ten-year campaign to decriminalise abortion here in the UK.”
In another instance, she expressed her support for Palestinian women who are currently battling wars in her speech. She continued, “My mother, who was the daughter of a woman who grew up during the Nigeria Biafra Civil War, and who has told me stories of running from bombs, air raids, and salvation, is something very dear to my heart.
“Systemic inequalities, which worsen women’s suffering, make their voices so frequently audible. So I had to take a break from tonight’s action by not standing up for our sisters in conflict zones like Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Palestine.
Vick and Calvin’s relationship and home life have always been very private. The pair started dating in 2022, but they never had a romantic relationship. Only their romantic relationship was revealed when they were seen out and about together.
Continue reading the article.
The pair’s romance reportedly reached new heights after being allegedly engaged later that year. There is a difference between secrecy and privacy, Vick said in a rare interview with You magazine in January 2023 about her and Calvin’s romance. The pair got married in the same month of September.
Vick then went on maternity leave after declaring she was expecting the couple’s first child on her BBC Radio 1 radio show in May 2025. In a conversation with Jamie Laing, she stated that this would probably also be my last week before I took maternity leave. You’re an amazing friend, an amazing person, and you’re going to be an amazing mother, Jamie warmly responded to her. On July 20 of this year, the star welcomed son Micah.
