Essex Cricket are delighted to announce the signing of young batter Liberty Heap ahead of the 2026 season.
Heap, 22, joins Essex Women from Lancashire Women following a successful loan spell in which she represented Essex during September to close out the 2025 season.
The right-handed batter has signed a one-year rookie deal and returns to a group led by Grace Scrivens, with whom she has already familiarised herself.
Heap made her Essex debut in the final match of the 2025 season, when Essex Women hosted The Blaze at the Ambassador Cruise Line Ground on September 13. Batting at four, she impressed with a well-orchestrated 33 from 37 balls, including five fours.
Born in Burnley, Heap brings experience from England Women’s Under 19s and development sides, a two time ECB Schools Games champion and the leading run scorer in the National Under 19s T20 tournament in 2022.
In 2023, she was selected in the England Women’s Under 19s squad alongside Grace Scrivens for the inaugural Under 19s Women’s World Cup and scored the fastest half-century of the tournament – 50 off 25 balls.
Additionally, she was signed by Manchester Originals for the 2024 Hundred competition.
On signing for Essex, Heap said: “Joining Essex is a really exciting step for me.
“I’m eager to get stuck in, keep improving my game, and hopefully make a positive impact both on and off the field.
“The squad has already made me feel really welcome, and there’s a great buzz around the group. I’m looking forward to contributing to that energy and helping the team push forward next season.”
Essex Women’s Performance Director, Danni Warren added: “We are delighted to be bringing a player of Liberty’s potential here to Essex.
“At a young age she has already gained experience at domestic and representative level and fits our ambitions to build long term sustainable success for the club and county perfectly.
“We were very impressed with Liberty during her recent spell on loan with us, culminating in her making her debut, where she showed us a glimpse of her quality with the bat. Everyone at Essex is looking forward to working with Liberty on a permanent basis.”
