Heather Knight, James Harris honoured with PCA roles

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Knight and have been designated as vice-chairs of the Professional Cricketers' Association with immediate effect. © Getty

In a bid to strengthen the interests of professional cricketers in England and Wales, Heather Knight, England Women's team skipper, and Middlesex's bowling all-rounder James Harris have been designated as vice-chairs of the Professional Cricketers' Association with immediate effect.

"I am delighted to welcome both Heather and James onto the PCA Board," said Daryl Mitchell, the chairman of the PCA. Knight and Haris will play the supporting roles to Mitchell, who was quick to acknowledge that "both bring vast amounts of experience and knowledge across the professional game and I have no doubt they will make the PCA even stronger."

Knight has been a key figure in the rise of England Women's team since 2016 which also included a World Cup trophy at home in 2017. Speaking of the opportunity, she said: "The women's game is growing so quickly. I think it is really important to have a voice on there for the women's game, not just for the international players, but for the domestic players that are joining the professional game in the next few months"

"I have always been interested in how the game works and what the right decisions are for the wider game so I'm very excited by the opportunity to work closely with the PCA to continue the momentum we've seen in women's cricket over the last few years."

Harris, on the other hand, has an experience of playing close to 150 first-class games with 485 wickets at an impressive average of 28.68. "I am honoured to be given this opportunity," he gushed. "I've been doing more and more work with the PCA over the last few years and helping Daryl out with any extra support he has needed as part of my role on the Players' Committee.

"Daryl has had an incredible amount on his plate with the current pandemic and everything that has preceded this during his time as chairman, including the new standard playing contract which he has played such a huge part in over the last three years. With this role becoming official I will hopefully be able to help him out even more."

The first PCA board meeting is set to take place around mid-July and both Knight and Harris will be a part of that meetup. "The role of vice-chairs is an important one to add further structure to the PCA Players' Committee," Mitchell said.

"My first three years as Chairman has coincided with enormous change within the game due to the new broadcast deal and the subsequent new white ball tournament and County Partnership Agreement. More current player representation on the PCA Board is also a progressive move to ensure players' views are at the forefront of shaping the future of professional cricket careers and the views of the PCA."