Ella Claridge interview: A Blaze with a Bear

In the third of our series of interviews with cricketers who are Bear Cricket ambassadors, I spoke with USA & Blaze wicketkeeper-batter Ella Claridge.

From Buckingham to Bear

Ella’s association with Bear Cricket began with a recommendation as these things often do. She’s been with the brand some five years since the journey into the pro game was beginning:

“One of my old coaches back at Buckinghamshire, where I grew up playing, was with Bear and recommended them. I was getting into professional cricket… they were happy to help and have supported me ever since.”

With a dual role as a hard-hitting batter and rapid behind the stumps, comfort and confidence in equipment is naturally vital for Ella who uses the Polar Bear cricket bat.

“I’ve been pleased with everything I’ve got from Bear in the past… happy with the bats and how they’ve gone. I have pretty good bat speed and get my hands through so try not to go too heavy (with bat choice, usually 2 lb 8 oz).”

Ella has had some appearances this season for The Blaze, who were crowned the Women’s T20 Blast champions recently. Though she has been competing for a spot behind the sticks with Scotland’s Sarah Bryce, chances have come with Bryce in action in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

We get to discussing wicketkeeping (she uses the Pro Wicket Keeping Gloves & Pro Wicket Keeping Pads). For Ella, part of the trust with her gloves is the feel but also, tellingly, tuning her ear:

“A big thing for me is the sound you get when the ball hits the gloves. When I’ve got a good pair of gloves, you can really hear that thud.”

As with my interviews on Woodlands’ Matty Weston and Leicestershire’s Jonny Tattersall, each pro – as with club cricketers – has their preferences and quirks.

With a particular bat or pair of wicketkeeping gloves, Ella will use them for a good while if they feel right – much like Tattersall’s battle-worn, taped-up Kodiak bat.

As for routines, Ella told me: “There’s little things like the order you put your kit on but it’s more a force of habit than a superstition.” Something all three Bear Cricket ambassadors have in common actually.

I watched a Sky Sports segment inside the Lord’s changing rooms with Stuart Broad discussing how England players have their own way of preparing. Ella admits to being poles apart from the meticulous Joe Root:

“I think I’m the opposite! I think people try to avoid me. From a keeping point of view with almost double the kit going, it can get a little bit messy.”

Representing USA

We wrap up with a reflection on international cricket as Ella has dual nationality, courtesy of being born in England and an American mum.

At the start of 2026, she played for the USA in the T20 World Cup qualifiers that began with twin stumpings and 70 off 51 balls against Namibia in Kathmandu.

A Super Six defeat in Kirtipur to Scotland by 41 runs ultimately cost Team USA a place in the Women’s T20 World Cup, though Claridge top-scored with 35 for her team.

Coincidentally, Yorkshire’s Rachel Slater – another pro using Bear Cricket – was in that match too.

Ella was subsequently selected for ECB Development XI vs New Zealand Women in May as a clear sign that she has caught the attention: “It was a really good experience playing against some world-class cricketers.”

Since we talked, she has already fulfilled a key ambition for the year: Silverware with The Blaze – and it won’t stop there.

Ella Claridge uses the Polar Bear cricket bat, Pro Wicketkeeping Pads & Pro Wicketkeeping Gloves.

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