Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Maddie Ward has been reflecting on 2025 and looking ahead to Yorkshire’s elevation to Tier 1.
Vice captain Maddie Ward believes the character of Yorkshire’s squad shone through last season en-route to their trophy-winning campaign.
The White Rose won the 50-over Metro Bank One-Day Cup title in Tier 2, and they now head into Tier 1 in 2026 having learnt a significant amount about themselves.
Last summer wasn’t straightforwards by any stretch, with the county losing the Vitality Blast T20 final to Middlesex.
They then only qualified for the One-Day Cup semi-finals on the last day of group action before beating Middlesex and then Glamorgan to secure silverware – two sides who had beaten them in group games.
And Ward views that as a positive.
The wicketkeeper-batter said: “I think it was good for us to lose some games, to see where we were at.
“Obviously, if it was plain-sailing the whole way through, we probably wouldn’t have learnt too much. But those losses definitely gave us the fight to keep going and end up winning the 50-over comp.
“We got to a point where we were unsure whether we’d get into the semi-finals, so I think it showed a lot of character from us to do that, especially with how the Blast finished up.
“It gives us a lot of momentum heading into next summer. It proved that we should be playing Tier 1 cricket.
“But, in many ways, we have to park that now and go again.
“We can keep a lot of the good stuff we did in the back of our minds, but we have to concentrate on how we start the new season.”
Yorkshire’s players have attacked the first half of the winter with a spring in their step, proud of what they achieved and excited about what’s to come.
“It’s been good,” continued Ward. “There’s been quite a lot of running and fitness stuff for those of us who are at home, and everyone’s got a lot from it.”
On the elevation to Tier 1, when Yorkshire will pit their wits against the likes of Lancashire and Surrey, who shared the three trophies in 2025, Ward said: “There’s definitely that extra excitement.
“To be fully professional, playing in the top division, it’s what we’ve wanted. We wanted it from the start, but it wasn’t to be. Now that it’s nearly here, we’re ready and raring to go.
“Personally, I’m really looking forward to The Blaze at Trent Bridge. Hopefully I’ll be selected for that.
“And we’ve got some other great grounds to visit, the Oval and then Old Trafford for the Roses. They should be brilliant days.”
Ward, 20, had a progressive campaign in 2025 – her first full one in senior cricket.
She scored 463 runs in the middle order, with a best score of 69 not out, took 13 catches and four stumpings and added nine wickets when called upon to bowl spin.
Added to that, she captained in the side whilst Lauren Winfield-Hill was away on loan at Essex and in the Hundred with the Oval Invincibles.
“It was a lot of responsibility, but I really enjoyed it,” she said of the captaincy.
“It’s something I didn’t expect to be doing at the start of the year, but it’s only benefitted my game and my involvement within the group.
“It was a good year, but I want to top it next summer.”
Yorkshire have added two spin-bowling internationals to their squad for 2026 in England’s Sarah Glenn and Australian Jess Jonassen.
Ward was coming through The Blaze system when Glenn was there.
“Everyone’s buzzing to get them involved,” she added. “They’re two top-quality signings and can only benefit us going forwards.
“I wasn’t really involved with the senior team at The Blaze when Sarah was around. I’ve met her a couple of times, but it’ll be nice to actually properly get to know her.
“They’re going to be two signings who everybody can learn a lot from.
“We’re quite a young side – people still figuring out their games, their roles – and having those two girls who have been there and done it and are still doing it will be amazing for us.”