Clitheroe cricketer Alex helps create history

The Marylebone Cricket Club have called up Alex for the inaugural Under 19 Women’s ARCH Trophy in Abu Dhabi and Dubai from Monday until next Saturday.

It is the first time in the MCC’s 226-year history that the club will have fielded an age group women’s side, with Alex selected having impressed selectors with her performances for Lancashire during the 2012 county season.

And it is the latest in a string of honours, having already represented the England Women’s Academy, England Under 17s and Under 19s, and the county first team - as well as becoming the first woman to play for Clitheroe’s first team last summer in the Ramsbottom Cup quarter-final loss against Settle at Chatburn Road.

During the six-day tournament, Alex will play for the MCC in three 50-over group matches against Durham, Devon and Essex Women’s Under 19s.

The final of the competition will take place at the Zayed International Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, where MCC will play Warwickshire CCC in the traditional Champion County fixture at the end of March.

MCC Head of Cricket, John Stephenson, said: “Congratulations to Alex on her selection for the MCC Under 19 Women’s squad.

“At the start of 2012, MCC collaborated with the ECB to enhance and expand the MCC Women’s Young Cricketers programme, and the selection of an MCC Women’s Under 19 side – for the first time in the club’s history – to take part in this competition represents the latest development in this partnership.

“The opportunity to play cricket in other parts of the world is a central focus of MCC’s involvement in youth cricket, and it is excellent that we are now able to accommodate this for an Under 19 Women’s team through our ongoing relationships with Sport Arabia and the ECB.

“The partnerships demonstrate the Club’s determination to foster fresh talent and maintain its reputation as a strong supporter of women’s cricket, and I wish Alex the best of luck.”

ECB Head of Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, added: “The Under 19 Women’s ARCH Trophy is a brilliant new initiative for 2013 which will give a large number of girls, including Alex, the opportunity to experience an overseas cricket tour for the first time.

“Alex had an impressive season last year and caught the attention of our talent scouts as being a high potential player with an exciting future.

“There’s nothing like touring to learn more about the game and about playing as a team, so it will be excellent preparation for the 2013 county age group season.

“I wish Alex all the best for a successful tour.”