Hannah Jones Selected for England Women’s Development Programme

Hannah Jones

At a time when most club cricketers have put their kit in the loft for the winter Denton St Lawrence's Hannah Jones is preparing for intensive coaching at Loughborough after being selected for the England Women’s Under 15 Development Programme.

The 13-year-old slow left-arm bowler, who also plays for Hyde Women, impressed the national selectors with her tight bowling and was a member of the Lancashire Under 13 side which won the National Championship two years running.

"Hannah is a go-to bowler when wickets are needed or the scoreboard is running away," said Jenny Laycock, the Lancashire Cricket Board's Women’s & Girls Cricket Development Officer and Lancashire Women’s captain. "She regularly bowls her seven overs for less than 15 runs, which usually means she takes wickets in the process.

"She has a good left-arm spinner’s action and that has allowed her to gain control from a young age. At only 13 she is one of the younger members of the Under 15 Development Squad this winter but she played in the under 13 squad when she was only 10-years old.

"She's also put many hours work in with her batting although her statistics don’t quite reflect her ability. However, she has the basics and began to shine towards the end of 2012. We hope to see further development in 2013."

Jones is one of three Lancashire girls to be selected for the England Under 15 development squad. Along with Rainford's Ellie Threlkeld and Ormskirk's Rachel Dickinson, she will now attend three weekends of coaching at the National Performance Centre at Loughborough University in January, February and March.

Three others have been chosen in the Under 19 age group, confirming the high standing of Lancashire girls' cricket on the national stage.

“It's a fantastic achievement for all these girls to be recognised at these levels," said Laycock. "The girls at Under 15 level had to go for a trial which is always a daunting experience. However, they reacted well to the pressure and performed on the day. It’s all the result of hard work during the winter and then putting it into practice during games."

Written by: Paul Edwards

5 other girls have been selected on the England Women's Development Programme, find out more at: Lancashire Girls Reach The Next Level.