Alex Hartley Selected for England Women’s Development Programme

Alex Hartley

At a time when many cricketers are putting their feet up and enjoying a few months away from the game, Clitheroe's Alex Hartley is refining her skills with Boxhill CC in Melbourne and has been selected as one of three Lancastrians in the Under 19 England Women's Development Programme.

A winter down under and recognition by the national selectors are the rewards for hard work by Hartley, who made her first team debut for Clitheroe this summer and has been associated with the England programmes for some years.  

"Alex recently made a move from Read to Clitheroe where she has taken chances she has been given," said Jenny Laycock the Lancashire Cricket Board's Women and Girls' Cricket Development Officer and the captain of Lancashire women’s team.

"She has great determination to succeed and her decision to spend the winter in Australia playing cricket for Boxhill Women is evidence of that. She has played seven games so far and taken 11 wickets including a three-wicket haul.

"Alex is an attacking spinner who looks to bowl stump to stump and has developed a good arm ball that has trapped many a player LBW with its faster pace. She has worked hard on other areas of her game including her batting and fielding which can let her down at times.

"She has pushed herself out of her comfort zone and a winter in Australia can only help all the aspects of her game. Everybody at the LCB wishes her the best of luck."

Three other Lancashire girls have been chosen in the England's Under 15 Development squad, confirming the high standing of the county's girls' cricket on the national stage.

“It's a fantastic achievement for all these girls to be recognised at these levels," said Laycock. "It’s 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.