All-rounder Francesca Sweet signs a two-year contract with Hampshire

All-rounder Francesca Sweet has signed a two-year contract with Hampshire after a successful trial period at the club.

Sweet, 21, was born in Sussex and has represented Berkshire and Leicestershire and recently signed for Glamorgan in Tier Two, who will be promoted to Tier One in 2027.

She also played for the Challengers, a team tasked with bridging the gap between Tier Two and Tier One.

The right-hander scored 81 off 73 balls on his debut for the Challengers against The Blaze on his way to a four-run win.

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Excited

Playing for Surrey against Hampshire in the Second XI 50-over competition, Sweet fell just three runs shy of a century and was the only Surrey player to go past 20.

On signing with the county, she said: “I’m really excited to be joining Hampshire. Everyone at the club has been very welcoming during my trial period.

“Without the Challengers, this opportunity would not have arisen and I am grateful to them for their help in setting up the trial.

“It’s a very strong group to be part of. I’ve enjoyed getting to know everyone and I hope I can make an impact on the field in the years to come.”

Influence

For the Foxes in 2025, Sweet scored 315 runs at an average of just under 40 in the Women’s Metro Bank One Day Cup League Two.

She passed 50 three times and top scored with 138 off 117 balls against Derbyshire in the competition as Leicestershire finished eighth.

In the Vitality Blast League Two, Sweet was the second leading points scorer in the competition with 296 as Leicestershire reached the final day in Northampton.

Adam Carty, regional director of women’s cricket for Hampshire, said: “In Francesca, we feel that, with the help of our friends at the Challengers, we have unearthed a player who has all the physical attributes and personal attributes to make a meaningful impact on domestic women’s football in the years to come.

“She radiates strength and enthusiasm for the game and the opportunities offered, and fits seamlessly into the group.

“She is a hitter with a lot of potential and has a clear ability to hit the ball as cleanly as any player we have on our roster.”

Valuable

He concluded: “She could yet prove to be a valuable medium pacer in the long term, and we are very excited about what the future holds for Cesca, and we wish her the best at the club.”

For Berkshire, Sweet scored 107 runs at a strike rate of 142 over four innings in the Level Three One Day Cup, and 131 runs at a strike rate of 170 over two innings in the Vitality Blast League Three.

After signing for Glamorgan, Sweet will be loaned out to the county if available and will not play for Hampshire.

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