Tammy Beaumont believes the upcoming cricket season is the start of the next 10 years of growth for the sport.
The 29-year-old reached the summit ICC One Day International batting rankings for the first time in her career following an impressive winter series in New Zealand, after becoming the sixth England Women's player to reach 2,500 runs in the format.
Beaumont made her England debut in 2009 and was a member of the 2017 World Cup-winning squad, but she wants to see the professional game expanded.
Last year the England and Wales Cricket Board decided to offer new professional deals to 41 players as part of regional hubs to boost competition for places at the top level.
"I'm happy with how I did, it was definitely something that I can build on and I was pretty raring to come back with Kent and the South East Stars"
On the impact of the contract on her England performances, she added: "I think for me it's sort of having – for example when I went to New Zealand and played those games for England, which is what I want to do, I felt much more relaxed within my cricket because I felt like I had something to fall back on and it wasn't all pressure on that game that I need to perform or else I've got nothing to fall back on.
"So it's definitely made me more relaxed having that base and having the team around me and supporting me and the coaches have been absolutely brilliant."
