“We bring something completely different: the ability to go across right-handers with googlies and target the stumps with leggies. I love that, being able to mess batters up.”
Jake Lintott is among that rare breed of left-arm wrist spinners.
Seldom seen, they offer bowling attacks a point of difference. It’s a skill that motivated him to plug away with his pro cricket ambitions and finally land his first contract aged 27 when many would have thrown in the towel.
He’s been a Bears lone wolf in that specialist spin department since signing for Warwickshire at the tail end of the 2020 season.
But now he’s found a compatriot in the form of Bears Women’s new signing Millie Taylor.
The 20-year-old is one of three new faces at Edgbaston to have joined Bears Women ahead of their debut season in 2025.
Taylor has moved to Birmingham from Sussex where she was a leading wicket taker for Southern Vipers Academy. Bowling left-arm wrist spin.
Lintott is now a familiar face in training with the Bears Women squad, and particularly Taylor who he’s hoping will benefit from his experience.
“It’s been brilliant to get the opportunity to work with some of the Bears Women,” said Lintott, who has 76 Blast wickets in 63 matches for Bears. “I hope some of the knowledge and experiences I can pass on will help them.
“It’s been awesome to work with Millie, it’s been a big move for her heading up from Sussex. But it’s one I’m sure she won’t regret. She’s exceptionally talented and has a skill set which adds value to any squad.
“I look forward to working with her in the coming months and trying to help her on a journey to becoming a key part of this Bears Women squad.
“She has a skill set to change games, it’s about her believing in herself and committing to being better day by day. I have great confidence in her!’
Taylor said she’s enjoying their Leftie Wrist Spinners Union…and has already spotted a few girls in the Bears youth pathway that could be future members.
She added: “Before I moved to Warwickshire I didn’t know any other left arm leggies in the women’s game, properly know them, but since I’ve moved here I think I’ve met about four including some aged just 13. Maybe it’s a Midlands thing!
“It’s extremely good working with Jake, learning from someone who’s gone through what I’ve gone through, with such rare bowling action. It’s good to hear his experiences, how he’s improved. I’ve never tried some of these drills, but they’re coming together, it feels nice.
“There’s been some difficulties in the past with my action. But doing some coaching with someone who knows the action, who bowls a very similar action, and knows what my work-ons are, it’s great to have Jake around.”
Lintott – who has 104 Warwickshire wickets in all formats – believes there will always be demand for quality wrist spinners.
“We can offer teams something different,” he added. “Something that batters are less familiar facing and aren’t sure what to expect.
“I knew that if I got in and did well, opportunities would open up and things could move quite quickly. That’s exactly the same for Millie.
“It took me years of persisting before Warwickshire gave me my break. Ironically, I think if I was a left-arm spinner, I probably would have stopped. The fact that I’m a bit different drove me on.
“That’s one of the things Millie and I have spoken about, trying to deceive batters, making it hard for them to pick you. We get a buzz out of that – trying to make batters look silly!”
Bears Women will fight for trophies on three fronts in their debut 2025 season. The Vitality Blast T20, Metro Bank One Day Cup, and for the first time a knockout competition featuring sides from all three tiers of the national system.
Their season gets underway at Edgbaston on Wednesday 23 April at home to Hampshire Women in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
To find out more and register your interest in Bears Women visit Bears Women page.
2025 Membership: Early Bird ends this month!
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 Early Bird Memberships available before 1 February, including 1882 Full Club (all domestic cricket), our new B5 White Ball (T20, 50-Over and The Hundred) and Junior Bears (U16s).
