Devon’s Erin Vukusic has signed her first professional contract for Somerset Women ahead of their first season as a Tier 1 side.
The 18-year-old right-arm seam bowler has signed a two-year rookie contract and becomes the second Performance Pathway player to sign their first professional contract with Somerset this year.
At club level, Erin has represented both Thorverton CC and Exeter CC, making her 2nd XI Tolchards Devon Cricket League debut for the former in 2020.
With Exeter CC, she has been crowned national champion twice (Under 13 Lady Taverners’ Club T20 in 2019 and Under 19 T20 in 2024) and was part of the Women’s side which won the Tolchards Devon Women’s Cricket League undefeated this season.
After progressing through the Performance Pathway, Erin made her Devon Women debut in 2021, going on to feature in 20 white-ball matches for Devon and being named Player of the Year in 2023 and Bowler of the Year in 2024.
Erin joined the Western Storm Regional Academy Programme in the winter of 2023, taking 23 wickets at an average of 16 with a best of 5-41.
Erin has also represented Croatia, making her international debut against Czech Republic last year before going on to make her IT20 debut this year against the same opponents in the Women's Central European Cup, where she won the Player of the Match award after her 85* helped her side to a comprehensive win.
She followed this up by claiming the Player of the Match award again in her next game when her 63 runs and three wickets inspired Croatia to victory over Gibraltar.
In total she has represented her country on four occasions in IT20 cricket, scoring 197 runs at an average of 98.5 and has taken four wickets at an average of 16.5 with a best of 3-27.
After signing her contract, Erin said: “It’s a really exciting opportunity, and one I am really looking forward to.
“Being a professional cricketer is what I’ve always wanted to do. The game has come a long way in the last few years and it’s great to see that girls are now getting the opportunity to achieve their dreams.
“I can’t wait to start this journey and hopefully I can become a player that people are excited about watching.”
Speaking on the latest Devon player to earn a professional contract, Performance Pathway Manager, Sandy Allen said:
“Erin's hard work, commitment, and dedication during her time with Devon and Western Storm have truly paid off with this well-deserved reward. She has been a vital member of the Devon teams she has played in over the years and a great example for her teammates in our Pathway.
“We are incredibly proud to see yet another player who has developed through our Performance Pathway go on to reach the professional game.
“We are excited to see Erin continue to develop at this exciting time for women’s cricket and become an inspiration to the next generation of female cricketers.”
Somerset Women Head Coach, Trevor Griffin, is pleased to have secured the services of a player with such potential: “Erin is an athlete who moves well and bowls with good pace,” he said.
“Her ability to swing the ball will certainly cause plenty of problems for batters. Her performances in Academy and Second XI cricket last year showed that she is an exciting prospect, and I’m really looking forward to seeing how she develops.
