Bella James2023-09-07T09:29:48+01:00

Bella James

Date of Birth 27/01/1999
Age 24
NationalityNew Zealander
Player Status Available
Playing Role Batting All-Rounder (Spin)
Bowling Style RA Off Spin
Batting Style RH Top Order Bat
Entry Route International Sportsperson Visa
Major Teams South Island Women, Otago Sparks, Buckinghamshire Women's
Coaching Qualifications NZC Level 1

Bella James is an accomplished top-order batter playing for the Otago Sparks in New Zealand’s domestic competitions.

A schoolgirl prodigy, James made her Otago Sparks debut aged 15 during the 2014/15 season. The following season (2016), she was named New Zealand Secondary School’s “Player of the Year”, culminating with selection for the White Ferns Development Program.

Since her Sparks debut, she has gone on to represent the “Deep South” in over 110 matches and was skipper between 2019 and 2021.

James is a talented batter and useful off-spinner who is also a practicing NZC Level 1 coach with a Diploma in Sports Management and Coaching.

Recommended by Sparks team-mate, Kate Ebrahim, James headed North to play for Stony Stratford in 2022. She absolutely excelled for the club hitting 1,226 runs at 58.38 including notable scores including 222* (126 balls), 170 (82), and 132 (86) in the Home Counties Women's Cricket League, not to mention a ton (125*) for the Buckinghamshire Women's side.

Upon returning to New Zealand, James enjoyed plenty of success for the Sparks, including her maiden Otago century - a brilliant 101 against Central Districts in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (List A) competition. Courtesy of her performances she was rewarded with South Island Women selection for the North v South Women's series.

Given her exploits in 2022, James returned to Stony for a second stint in 2023. Unsurprisingly, she excelled, striking another century amongst 372 runs at 37.20 (as at 31/07/23).

Looking ahead to the future, James is keen to consider her options for the UK/EU 2024 season.

Team (Season) Mts Inns NO Runs HS Ave Ovs Runs Wkts BB Avg
Stony Stratford (2023) 18 17 2 594 124 39.6 77 320 15 5/43 21.33
Stony Stratford (2022) 26 26 5 1226 222* 58.38 81 392 17 3/3 23.06
Date of Birth 27/01/1999
Age 24
NationalityNew Zealander
Player StatusAvailable
Playing RoleBatting All-Rounder (Spin)
Player Status Available
Bowling Style RA Off Spin
Batting Style RH Top Order Bat
Entry Route International Sportsperson Visa
Major Teams South Island Women, Otago Sparks, Buckinghamshire Women's
Coaching Qualifications NZC Level 1

Bella James is an accomplished top-order batter playing for the Otago Sparks in New Zealand’s domestic competitions.

A schoolgirl prodigy, James made her Otago Sparks debut aged 15 during the 2014/15 season. The following season (2016), she was named New Zealand Secondary School’s “Player of the Year”, culminating with selection for the White Ferns Development Program.

Since her Sparks debut, she has gone on to represent the “Deep South” in over 110 matches and was skipper between 2019 and 2021.

James is a talented batter and useful off-spinner who is also a practicing NZC Level 1 coach with a Diploma in Sports Management and Coaching.

Recommended by Sparks team-mate, Kate Ebrahim, James headed North to play for Stony Stratford in 2022. She absolutely excelled for the club hitting 1,226 runs at 58.38 including notable scores including 222* (126 balls), 170 (82), and 132 (86) in the Home Counties Women's Cricket League, not to mention a ton (125*) for the Buckinghamshire Women's side.

Upon returning to New Zealand, James enjoyed plenty of success for the Sparks, including her maiden Otago century - a brilliant 101 against Central Districts in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield (List A) competition. Courtesy of her performances she was rewarded with South Island Women selection for the North v South Women's series.

Given her exploits in 2022, James returned to Stony for a second stint in 2023. Unsurprisingly, she excelled, striking another century amongst 372 runs at 37.20 (as at 31/07/23).

Looking ahead to the future, James is keen to consider her options for the UK/EU 2024 season.

Team (Season) Mts Inns NO Runs HS Ave Ovs Runs Wkts BB Avg
Stony Stratford (2023) 18 17 2 594 124 39.6 77 320 15 5/43 21.33
Stony Stratford (2022) 26 26 5 1226 222* 58.38 81 392 17 3/3 23.06
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