Bears Women have strengthened their batting line-up ahead of their debut season with the loan signing of Dutch international Sterre Kalis.
Kalis – who averages more than 35 in 44 Women’s IT20 appearances – has agreed a deal that allows her to play Tier 1 cricket with Bears Women while also being eligible for her parent Tier 2 side Yorkshire Women.
The loan move means the 25-year-old will be available for Bears Women’s Vitality Blast and Metro Bank One Day Cup fixtures – but she will remain a Yorkshire player for the County Cup competition.
Kalis is no stranger to Edgbaston having made eight starts for Birmingham Phoenix Women last season, scoring 201 runs with an average of 28.71 and Strike Rate of 114.85.
Laura MacLeod, Bears Women’s Head of High Performance, said: “Sterre is a proven top-order batter with The Hundred experience with the Phoenix and international experience with The Netherlands. She will add strength and depth to our batting line-up.
“Sterre knows a number of Bears players well having played alongside them at the Phoenix and been in Australia with Hannah Baker and Charis Pavely over the winter so I’m sure she will slot in well.”
Big-hitting Kalis set a record in 2018 for the highest individual score in a women’s IT20 – 126 not out against Germany – and hit her maiden List A century (exactly 100) last September for the Diamonds against Lancashire Thunder in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
She said: “I’m excited about the move and the opportunity to play at Edgbaston again. I have great memories playing there with the Phoenix and I am looking forward to making more.
“It gives me the opportunity to play Tier 1 cricket this year and compete at the highest level in the country.
“I know a few of the girls already having played with them before; I’m looking forward to being part of the Club. I’ve heard good things about Warwickshire and it’s always exciting to be able to play at Test grounds.
“I hope I can contribute to the success of the team; I can’t wait for the season to start. I’ve just got back from a great pre-season tour with Yorkshire in Abu Dhabi and I am hoping to capitalize on the hard work and effort the coaches and support staff gave to the team.
“I am grateful to both Yorkshire and Warwickshire for giving me this opportunity.”
Bears Women will compete for trophies on three fronts in 2025: Vitality Blast, Metro Bank One Day Cup, and for the first time a knockout competition, the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup, featuring sides from all three tiers of the national system.
Find out more about Bears Women and buy tickets at edgbaston.com/bearswomen.
2025 Membership
It’s an historic year for the Club in 2025, as Bears Men and Women will compete side-by-side. Bears together.
Join the journey with Memberships available, including 1882 Full Club (all domestic cricket), our new B5 White Ball (T20, 50-Over and The Hundred) and Junior Bears (U16s).
