Bess Heath

Durham Cricket welcomed England wicketkeeper batter Bess Heath to the club on a three-year deal, penning a contract in August 2024.

An enterprising batter who likes to make an impact in the middle of the order, Heath has over 3000 runs to her name in all formats and a proven pedigree with the gloves.

The England development contracted player has featured five times in the international arena, making her debut against Sri Lanka in 2023.

Heath was named in the England Women’s squad for their ICC Women’s T20 campaign in the United Arab Emirates but didn’t feature.

She was also named in the England squad for their multi-format tour of South Africa in December; however, her stint was cut short, fracturing her thumb in the nets.

Having progressed through Derbyshire’s youth system, Heath has represented Brisbane Heat, Northern Superchargers, Melbourne Stars, Northern Diamonds and Yorkshire.

Heath made her professional debut at age 19. She was part of the Northern Diamonds side that reached the final of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in 2020 and lifted the trophy two years later.

She earned recognition for an impressive 2023 season, scoring 286 runs in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and receiving a nomination for the PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year award.

Heath featured three times for England against Ireland in ODIs before being selected in squads for tours of South Africa and Australia, withdrawing from the former with a thumb injury.

The 23-year-old was then selected by England Women A in all formats for their tour of Australia.