Worcestershire Women’s Rapids have announce the signing of left-handed batter Ami Campbell on loan for the 2021-2022 season.

The signing is described as a “major coup” for the club as Campbell joins the West Midlands regional side, Central Sparks, from Northern Diamonds, having signed her first full-time professional contract as part of the expanded list announced by the ECB.

The 30-year-old has signed for the Rapids to play T20 and 50 over cricket and captain Chloe Hill, a fellow Central Sparks player, couldn’t be happier with the signing.

She said: “Ami Campbell has come over to Central Sparks this year as a pro-contracted player from Northern Diamonds.

“I’ve known Ami for a few years from playing against her, and I had a little word at training with the Sparks.

“She has moved to live in Birmingham, and I said ‘you will have to find a county in the Sparks region, you are more than welcome to come to Worcestershire’.

“I said ‘you will get game-time and the chance to showcase what you can do’, and she was pleased to join on loan."

Worcester News: Ami Campbell joins the side on loan having enjoyed success with the Northern Diamonds (PA)Ami Campbell joins the side on loan having enjoyed success with the Northern Diamonds (PA)

Hill added: “She is a dominant batter. She batted in the middle order for the Diamonds but, in the T20, she will probably open or be in the top four.

“Ami has signed to play in the T20 and the 50 over competitions. The paperwork has gone through properly, and I’m delighted.”

Last summer, Campbell demonstrated her quality by leading the Diamonds to the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final, in which she scored 60 as her side narrowly lost to Southern Vipers.

She starred throughout the competition, finishing as the Diamonds second-highest scorer with 223 runs from seven knocks, at an average of 31.85.

The Diamonds also reached the final of the Charlotte Edwards Cup, with Campbell featuring in the group stage of the T20 competition.

Campbell was also signed up to the inaugural season of The Hundred with the Northern Superchargers however did not feature for the side.

She is not the only Rapids player to have secured herself a professional contract for the upcoming season with pace bowler Emily Arlott once again landing a contract.

There are now 51 women now on full-time contracts in the domestic game.