After much consideration; the WPL allowed Tara Norris to join the team as their fifth overseas player due to her status as a representative from an associate nation. She made her presence known by finishing with incredible figures of 5/29 in just four overs! Discover why Norris quickly becomes such a sensation in the USA.
#1 Cricket wasn’t part of Tara Norris’ early life
Norris grew up with little to no cricket knowledge, as she had been in Spain and the USA. However, when the UK charity “Chance to Shine” contacted her primary school, she decided to start playing the sport shortly after.
2. Norris attended Loughborough University
Norris attended the prestigious Loughborough University, which has guided numerous English cricketers to successful careers. During her time there, she was a regular feature on the cricket scene and also was part of the Marylebone Cricket Club’s program. After graduating, she joined an ever-growing group of professional cricketers in England and Wales.
3. A regular feature in the English domestic season
Norris was a star for the Southern Vipers dynasty, leading the wicket-takers in 2022 and putting in strong performances in 2020 and 2021. They went on to win the first two editions, while Norris played an instrumental role in their 2021 final victory. Despite their semi-final exit, she was also the top wicket-taker in the 2021 Charlotte Edwards Cup.
#4 Norris played for the Southern Brave
The left-arm seamer, who shone for the Southern Brave in the 2021 edition of The Hundred, was an integral part of their journey to the final, only to be denied a victory by the Oval Invincibles. Unfortunately, she had to be relegated to the sidelines during the 2022 season, with the Brave recruiting many international stars. But her showing in The Hundred had undoubtedly helped her secure her selection for the USA national team.
#5 International cricket for the USA with hopes of representing England in the future
After contacting the American coach, Norris quickly joined the USA team for the 2021 Women’s T20 World Cup Regional Qualifiers Americas. She was essential to the team’s success, contributing to the USA finishing top of the leaderboard. In a Wisden interview in 2021, Norris conveyed her objective of playing for England. By being eligible to compete for England without a “cooling off period,” her debut performance at the Women’s Premier League only assisted her journey towards fulfilling her goal.
