Step Aside Injury-Sub Chaos, Here's Megan Sturge's Loan Deal

Glamorgan Women are trying to utilise the loan system extensively in order to prepare themselves for a step up to Tier One next season.

Current loanee Megan Sturge, on loan from Hampshire, is currently playing every game of cricket possible. Rather than just being on loan with Glamorgan for the season, she has a role with Hampshire still to play.

The 21-year-old played five games in nine days with 888-miles covered. The development of her game, she feels can only get better; every opportunity to play cricket is a joy for Sturge. However, the loan might need looking into how it can be more exclusive in availability.

“I've really enjoyed having the opportunity to come and play here at Sophia Gardens with Glamorgan.” Sturge told Taff & Daff after a 53-run win over Leicestershire Foxes.

“They seem a really professional team and they know what they're doing and wanting to achieve, so it's been great. Personally, I’m one for staying in the present and not looking too far ahead but obviously I know Glamorgan are looking to become Tier One next year but for me I'm staying present I'm just all about enjoying my cricket at the minute and see what happens.

“I've been very busy at the minute, travelling up and down the country playing lots of cricket games. But for me personally, I'm all about getting as many games in as possible, as much game time as I can. And Hampshire have been very good with looking after my workloads and things like that. And they're very keen for me to play as much cricket as I can.” She added.

Sturge’s schedule last week hasn’t been for the faint-hearted and while she has a Tier One professional contract, she might as well have two jobs.

The wicket-keeper who saw Glamorgan to victory on debut with 41 not out travelled to Billericay from Cardiff for a Hampshire Second XI game the following day after the opening fixture with Gloucestershire. Just two days later, Sturge had a first team call-up. A trip to Edgbaston (presumably after travelling back to Southampton) followed. Then a much needed three days off matches proceeded pulling the Glamorgan colours back on. After speaking to Taff & Daff, the familiar drive back to the south coast came once more before being sent to Surrey on Monday for another Second XI match.

Five matches in nine days. It would be easy to understand if Sturge has forgot her own name by now, let alone her teammates. She’ll have to remember which dressing room to go into today as Glamorgan take on Hampshire Seconds in a development competition. Sturge will wear the rose and crown rather than the daffodil on this occasion. But after today, seemingly, her schedule is sprung upon her day by day with no certainty a week before.

“[It] would be quite fun to play with and then against [Glamorgan] but from then on in not really too sure I'm pretty much game by game day by day.”

Glamorgan’s next game is against Devon in the T20 County Cup on Monday, April 27. It is another competition that can cause confusion with loan eligibility.

For Sturge, it is not only the time on the M4, the 30 different teammates and intense schedule that might be causing confusion – but her role in each side too.

Along with captaincy for the Second XI last week, Sturge bowled in both that game against Essex Seconds and in her First XI fixture against Warwickshire too whereby they conceded 354 before being saved by rain - Sturge returned 1 for 45 from six with her dabble in spin. She then would put the gloves back on for Glamorgan on Sunday, last.

“Honestly, I couldn't tell you [which I prefer],” She said with a smile, “I do bowl leg-spin as well. I love keeping because I'm always in the game, but then I also love bowling because anything can happen. and I love the fielding aspect that comes of it.

As well as playing behind the highly thought of Rhianna Southby in the ‘keeping ranks at Hampshire, Sturge spent time on loan with her home county, Kent, in 2025 – where England cult-hero Geraint Jones is an Assistant Coach.

“It was a great opportunity for me to go home and see my family. I'm a Kent girl, born through and through. But I think for me this year, I want to progress my cricket and see as much game time as I can and see where that goes.

“I worked closely with Grant Jones when I played for Kent. I've known him for a few years actually, since I was about 13 years old!” She added.

“I think it was just great to have someone speak about keeping and who is very passionate about it the same as me. I picked up some really nice tips off him at the time. And yeah, just to remember that he's been part of the 05 Ashes as well, but just to have someone just to talk about keeping who enjoys it just as much as me was great.”

Where Sturge goes with her professionalism in the game is to be seen. She certainly hasn’t done herself any harm with her two knocks averaging 75 for Glamorgan as well as being on Hampshire’s first team radar. What no one can take away from her is her passion to fulfil her contract by taking every opportunity she can.

While the women’s system is still finding its feet, and Glamorgan can reap the benefits of the Sturge deal, this circumstance could raise questions over the seriousness of it all.