ORMSKIRK AND RAINFORD GIRLS WIN PLACES ON NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES

Date: 5th October 2013

A Paul Edwards copyright exclusive for L&DCC Official Website.

...... the increasing prominence of girls and women’s cricket .....

When some very brave writer attempts to write the history of cricket in the period 1975-2015, the development of the ladies’ game will require a detailed chapter, not a courteous paragraph.

Even in the context of the growing dominance of the Indian subcontinent, the rise of the shorter forms of the game and the curse of match-fixing etc., the increasing prominence of girls and women’s cricket will need proper coverage.

The triumph of the England ladies in their recent hybrid Ashes series was the result of careful, professional preparation: Team England is not just an empty slogan. The success of the national side depends on county boards identifying talent as early as possible and doing all they can to foster it. Few are more active in this regard than the Lancashire Cricket Board, whose women and girls’ division is led by the indefatigable Jennifer Laycock.

The work of the LCB, and of the clubs who encourage the ladies in cricket in the county can be gauged by the fact that ten Lancashire girl cricketers, including three from Ormskirk and one from Rainford , have been selected for the prestigious 2013-4 England Womens Development Programme at Under 15 or Under 19 level.

The EWDP is the first rung on the ladder towards national recognition and the large contingent of Lancashire cricketers selected for the programme is a significant indication of the strength and popularity of the game among girls in the area.

Selected for the Under 19 squad is 16-year-old Rachel Dickinson, a right-arm medium pace bowler and middle order batter who has played for Lancashire’s Under 15, 17 and 19 teams in 2013. Rachel plays her cricket at Ormskirk and also for Bolton Women’s team. She attends Ormskirk School and has made the significant step up from the U15 EWDP to the U19s group.

Twin-sisters Erin and Lucy Staunton-Turner also play for Ormskirk. Erin is a left-arm medium pace bowler and middle order batter who has represented U13 and U15 development team in 2013. Lucy is a right-arm off-spin bowler and top order bat who has also played for the U13 and U15 development sides in 2013.

Beginning her second year in Under 15 EWDP is Eleanor Threlkeld, a top order bat and wicket keeper who has played in Lancashire’s Under 15, 17, 19 and 1st X1s in 2013. Ellie plays her cricket at Rainford CC and St Helens Women, and attends Rainford High School.

“This is a great achievement for all of these girls,” said Jennifer Laycock, the Lancashire Cricket Board’s Women and Girls Cricket Development Officer.

“It’s a reward for their hard work during winter programmes and turning that into performances on the pitch. The ECB is moving fast and has developed a robust programme for these girls to take part in during the winter, along with a week long competition during the summer time.

“The U19s also have the chance to play individual fixtures and gives the girls plenty of chance to impress, challenge themselves and experience different environments.'

Picture shows Rachel Dickinson ( front row 4th left) and Ellie Threlkeld (front row 5th left) with this year's Lancs U15's.