The increase takes the number of professional players in the women's regional structure from 41 to 51, with a further 16 England Women Centrally Contracted players taking the number of professional women's cricketers in England and Wales to 67. zoom blazer Clare Connor, ECB managing director of Women's Cricket, said: "It's absolutely fundamental to the future of women's and girls' cricket in England and Wales that we're able to continue increasing the depth of our regional game by offering more professional contracts to our players. zoom blazer "I have nothing to hide. The 'you lot' comment never happened. Anyone trying to recollect words said 10 years ago will be fallible but I am adamant those words were not used. If Rafiq believes something was said at the time to upset him then that is what he believes. It is difficult to comment on that except to say it hurts me hugely to think I potentially affected someone. I take it as the most serious allegation ever put in front of me and I will fight to the end to prove I am not that person." zoom blazer "You're constantly lying to yourself thinking you're going to be okay; you're going to be back soon and it's just a little blip. zoom blazer