NATALIE AND ELLIE IN A DOUBLE FIRST FOR THE COMP

Date: 27th April 2015

Lancashire Women's players feature in Sutton and Rainford 1st X1's

The opening day of the Med Imaging Liverpool and District Cricket Competition passed without too much incident, with Colwyn Bay unlucky to catch most of the rain, but it will be remembered in the League’s history as the first time that two female players have taken part in 1^st X1 League fixtures.

On the day that Ellie Threlkeld made her first team debut for Rainford, Natalie Brown was notching up her sixth 1^ST X1 appearance for Sutton, opening the bowling against Alder in Division 2. Both are members of the Lancashire Women’s Senior Team recently promoted into Division 1 for the 2015 season.

Natalie (24) has played at Sutton CC since a very early age, represented St Helens District and Lancashire County girls at all age groups, made her senior county debut in 2006 against Somerset and has been a fixture in the side ever since. In 2011 Natalie was selected to play in the England Women’s Super 4’s.

After playing regularly in the Sutton second string for quite some time Natalie made her debut in the 1^st X1 back in 2013 in a cup tie against Ormskirk before finishing the 2014 season with three 1^st X1 appearances, hitting a highest score of 63 against Old Xaverians. This term Natalie has played in the two cup and league fixtures and Sutton Cricket Secretary and Senior Statesman Mike Rimmer sees Natalie “as a key member of our side this season. We are all very proud of Nat and what she has achieved”.

Meanwhile Ellie Threlkeld kept wicket for Rainford against St Helens Town in their opening day League Fixture in Division 1, a position she occupies for the Lancashire Women’s senior team having made her senior county debut last season. Ellie (16) began playing cricket with Rainford whilst at Primary School and has also represented St Helens District and Lancashire County Girls at all age groups. The 2014 Lancashire Girls player of the year, Ellie is currently part of the England Girls U19 Development Squad. Paul Farrar, Rainford’s skipper said, “Ellie grew in confidence as the game went on, took two catches and was very accomplished. She has a bright future ahead”.