Emily Arlott is an English cricketer who has become a notable figure in the women’s game, particularly as a fast bowler. Her journey to the professional ranks is remarkable for its late breakthrough. Until she earned a regional contract, Arlott balanced playing cricket with teaching it, working as a community coach while representing Worcestershire from the age of 15.
Arlott is known for her work ethic and commitment, often pushing herself to the limits in training. She is described as someone who is obsessed with keeping busy, having taken up golf to help switch off from cricket—a challenge for someone so immersed in the sport. She is naturally shy and not drawn to the spotlight, preferring to let her performances speak for themselves.
Arlott, who had been unable to break into the England squad for three years, now has the chance to overcome her ‘what ifs’ and secure her international career. Arlott also says “It was quite late, so I wasn’t expecting a call at all. It may sound a little silly, but I felt she might have contacted me by mistake. Since she hadn’t hung up yet, I picked it up after letting it ring a little since I assumed perhaps it was an error,” recalled Arlott.
Charlotte Edwards called Arlott days before announcing England’s squad for ongoing West Indies series, citing her impressive start to the season, including 14 wickets and an impressive economy rate of 4.63 in seven matches.
“The fact that there is no (age) cap is really pleasing to me,” Arlott added. “I’ve improved as a cricket player tenfold since my last selection. Since I never imagined I would be considered again, I had to accept the fact that I had lost my chance, something I struggled with for a few years. It’s excellent to get the benefits of being reliable at the regional level and putting your hand up, especially after Lottie (Edwards) entered the picture and the season got off to a great start.”
Arlott has been a consistent performer of late, including breaking into double figures of wickets in the 2024 Hundred and taking 14 wickets in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. Most recently, Arlott in the 2025 One Day Cup against Essex notched up her maiden professional century, helping her side win the match.
“I never imagined that I would be walking out to the crease at the sixth or seventh over—that was a first for me. I’ve always been viewed as a bowler who could hit a big ball but lacked the determination to win games when it came to it. It’s likely that my batting over the past few years has let me down a little. After saying, ‘block, block, block, ah, I’m just going to sky one,’ I would leave for three. The main goal of that innings was to show everyone that I’m more than just a bowler anymore,” she said.
Back in 2021, she picked up four wickets in a single over for Central Sparks only a few days prior to when she was included in the Test squad to play India in 2021. Though she didn’t find a spot in the playing XI, she was included in England’s ODI squad that summer.
“Personally, I’m so grateful I didn’t play,” says Arlott. “I know that’s a terrible thing to say but looking back now, had I debuted I would have had half the impact I’d love to have now because of what I’ve learned and experienced off the pitch as well as on it.
“The first time I got picked, I got the call and then the next week it was the Test match. As a youngster, I was just grateful I’d got a regional contract, and I was living in the moment for everything I experienced at regional level. I thought it was so cool that it was my job, and I think it would have been too quick, and I would have gotten overwhelmed.
“As a complete stranger, I was among the first to join that group, and I personally battled with it because I retreated into my shell. “I’m not good enough to be here, and they probably think I’m terrible,” I thought as I sat there. When I say, “I’m glad they didn’t (pick me),” I mean that,” she explained.
But missing out on a Test match against South Africa the following year after being called up once more was a different story altogether.
“The South Africa Test still haunts me to this day,” she shared. “The way I had Covid during that Test match, I felt like the stars just didn’t align and there wasn’t a lot I could do. It was a really tough time; I was in an absolute hole with it for the next year but didn’t say too much about it.”
Overcoming her issues with self-belief has been the most significant aspect of Arlott’s transformation in recent years. She knocked on England’s door again after a trip to Australia during the winter, which was crucial to opening a new chapter in her career.
“I just kept going through the monotonous winter at home at Edgbaston. It gets a little samey, but I’m not complaining about it at all. Screw it, I’m going to challenge myself.” I thought about it one day and in a message to the head of Western Australia wrote, “I would love to come out and train with you guys.”
Being uncomfortable around new people and disliking social interactions, she doubted her ability to progress in her work without stepping out of her comfort zone. Determined to make a change, she decided to take a bold step and travel to Australia. She had no acquaintances there and no prior experience traveling alone, let alone visiting Australia.
On the first day of state training, she felt overwhelmed and frightened. Yet, it turned out to be the best decision of her life. In just one year, she believed she had grown and transformed threefold.
She remarked, “The girls out there (at Western Australia) were great.” It truly taught me how to play with just the proper amount of enjoyment. It most likely relates to the anxiousness aspect of it, in my opinion. I’m perfectly fine with stating that I’m a freak and that I simply bounce about the group at Birmingham, but I actually kept that to myself because I was afraid of being judged. When I’m very nervous, I retreat into my shell.
“When I went to Australia, I was like ‘if they all think I’m a complete freak, it’s fine, I might not see them again’. Actually, it was really liberating, and I’ve met people that I’ll probably be friends with for life.”
The key to repaying the trust that the new England government placed in Arlott will be the renewed confidence she found in Australia. The timing seems ideal to take advantage of the chance she has been given, especially with a 50-over World Cup approaching and a well-known series against India later in the summer.
“This is the result of the last two years for me to reach this point,” Arlott explained. “I would really like to be with the group more frequently in all formats, but the only way I can achieve that is by demonstrating my worth. All I need to do is make sure I’m performing and taking actions at the appropriate times. I basically just have control over that.”
(Quotes sourced from Wisden)
