Worcestershire Women’s Rapids duo Ellie Anderson and Charis Pavely are preparing for England’s opening game in the inaugural ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
And Rapids captain, Chloe Hill, says the duo’s selection will inspire other players in the squad and women’s cricketers in the county attempting to achieve similar success.
All-rounders Anderson and Pavely were named in the England squad when it was announced in October, and now the opening game is only four days away.
England face Zimbabwe (January 15), Pakistan (January 17) and Rwanda (January 19) in their three Group B matches.
All games are in Potchefstroom, with the first two at Senwes Park and the third at the Absa Puk Oval.
Hill said: “Really proud for the Rapids to have two players in the England Under-19 squad. They both deserve it, and they both showed what they could do for the Rapids and Central Sparks Academy last season and previous seasons.
“It is an excellent opportunity for them both.
“It will act as an inspiration to other Worcestershire players. We’ve had Sarah Glenn play for England and Emily Arlott be on the fringes of the side.
“It’s helping to put women’s cricket and the Rapids on the map and shows if they perform, they may get the chance of an opportunity like this.
“There are so many opportunities for women in cricket that, if you put your performances together, you will get these rewards like Ellie and Charis have.
“I think it will be a really exciting time for them.”
Hill has seen Anderson and Pavely may big strides forward as players.
She said: “I’ve seen them develop over the last couple of years into the players they have become.
“For Ellie to be taking that new ball week in and week out, doing what she does, and seeing how her batting has come on in the last year, she has become a very talented cricketer.
“I’ve never seen someone of Charis’s age hit the ball so hard, like she does, and she has a great cricket brain as well when she bowls.
“They are definitely growing not just as players but as people as well. The fact they are all-rounders gives them that extra string to their bow is important.
“Being a part of a World Cup will help with their growth and development even more, especially with the girls that have been selected, those successful in their regions and counties.
“They are realistically the best of their age group and will learn and develop as people, and their playing abilities will grow as well.”
