13th September 2016
| Mallory Gray
Following the success of the girls’ recent tours to Dubai in 2013 and Abu Dhabi in 2015, it has been confirmed that a third trip to Sri Lanka in February next year will be taking place.
Whilst the strength of the junior and senior female sides has improved massively over recent years, coach Aimee Rees feels it is now necessary to test the girls under harsh physical conditions as well as develop their batting skills against spin bowling in particular. Alongside the tour matches and the experience in itself, the preparation that the girls will undergo beforehand will also prove extremely beneficial to their development as cricketers. It will involve demanding fitness sessions allowing them to adapt to and perform in the Sri Lankan heat and humidity, alongside improving their ability to work as a team and increase their cricketing confidence.
The 2017 tour to Sri Lanka will be based in Colombo, consisting of 5 one-day fixtures and two T20 games against a mixture of the Sri Lankan Academy side, the Colombian state team and others to be arranged.
Alongside the match day experience, the girls will be given the opportunity to take part in specialist spin sessions throughout the tour, alongside ambassadorial work amongst the local schools in order to promote women’s cricket and encourage more young girls to consider playing the game.
It has proven that these previous tours have also benefited the girls greatly in the aftermath as well as the improvement from the preparation. Following the outings to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the Under 17 girls recorded their two most successful county seasons, reaching the National T20 Finals in 2013 and the 45-over final in 2015. This reflects the importance of these tours, and we all wish the girls the best of luck in their preparation, and are certain it will be an incredible and memorable experience.
The squad travelling to Sri Lanka is, Aimee Hughes, Alexandra Griffiths, Anwen Morgan, Cerys Thomas, Charlotte Scarborough, Ella Reed, Georgia Parfitt, Jessica Thornton, Kelsey Hughes, Lleucu George, Naomi Davies, Nicole Reid, Rose Evans, Sara Jenkins, and Seren Hughes