2023 North West Thunder season

The 2023 season was North West Thunder's fourth season, in which they competed in the 50 over Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and the Twenty20 Charlotte Edwards Cup. In the Charlotte Edwards Cup, the side finished third in the group, winning four matches and progressing to the semi-final. In the semi-final, they lost to Southern Vipers by 18 runs. In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, the side finished seventh in the group, winning three of their fourteen matches.

The side was captained by Eleanor Threlkeld and coached by Paul Shaw. They played five home matches at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, two apiece at Rookwood Cricket Ground and Stanley Park, and one apiece at Trafalgar Road Ground and Sedbergh School.

Departures
On 4 November 2022, it was announced that Natalie Brown, Rebecca Duckworth and Alice Dyson had all been released. In July 2023, Phoebe Graham went on loan to Western Storm for four Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches. Alex Hartley retired from cricket in August 2023, after taking a break from the game in May. On 8 September 2023, it was announced that the side had loaned Sophia Turner to Northern Diamonds for the remainder of the season.

Arrivals
On 4 November 2022, it was announced that North West Thunder had signed Naomi Dattani, Fi Morris and Tara Norris from Sunrisers, Western Storm and Southern Vipers respectively. On 6 March 2023, it was confirmed that Stephanie Butler, having left Central Sparks at the end of the 2022 season, had joined the side. On 19 April 2023, it was announced that Deandra Dottin had signed for the side as an overseas player for the entire season, alongside Scotland international Hannah Rainey. On 21 April 2023, it was confirmed that Olivia Thomas was in the side's squad for the season. On 28 April 2023, Mahika Gaur was named in a matchday squad for the first time. On 20 May 2023, Olivia Bell was named in a matchday squad for the first time. On 6 June 2023, academy player Sophie Morris was named in a matchday squad for the first time. On 1 September 2023, it was announced that Laura Delany was replacing Deandra Dottin as the overseas player for the side, due to the latter's involvement in the 2023 Women's Caribbean Premier League.

Personnel and contract changes
On 4 November 2022, it was announced that Daisy Mullan had signed her first professional contract with the side. On 23 February 2023, it was announced that a further two players had signed professional contracts, with Liberty Heap and Seren Smale both signing their first such contracts. On 29 June 2023, it was announced that both Danielle Collins and Mahika Gaur had signed professional contracts with the club, Collins until the end of the season and Gaur on a part-time professional deal until the end of 2024. In September 2023, it was announced that Head Coach Paul Shaw was stepping down from his role at the end of the season.

Squad list

 * Age given is at the start of North West Thunder's first match of the season (22 April 2023).

Season standings
advanced to the final advanced to the play-off

Batting

 * Source: ESPN Cricinfo Qualification: 200 runs.

Bowling

 * Source: ESPN Cricinfo Qualification: 10 wickets.

Season standings
advanced to final advanced to the semi-final

Batting

 * Source: ESPN Cricinfo Qualification: 100 runs.

Bowling

 * Source: ESPN Cricinfo Qualification: 5 wickets.