Ellie Anderson is set to benefit from Central Sparks’ development programme. Picture: Worcestershire Rapids.
BROMSGROVE School duo Ellie Anderson and Charis Pavely are part of a quartet of Worcestershire CCC players drafted into Central Sparks’ inaugural intake of academy prospects.
Anderson, 17, and Pavely, 16, will represent the West Midland regional team’s development programme for at least the next 12 months, during which time the pair will showcase their talents in the hope of eventually breaking through to senior level cricket.
The former is adept as an all-rounder, offering medium pace bowling, while the latter is renowned as a useful left-handed batter, joining Pears team-mates and Stourbridge natives Phoebe Chew and Hannah Hardwick in being hand-picked by Sparks.
In addition to turning out for Central Sparks’ development side, the quartet will also continue their playing commitments with Worcestershire as confirmed by Pears’ academy coach Elliot Wilson, who believes the move will be of great benefit for the girls’ long-term future in the game.
“To have four girls from the Worcestershire pathway programme selected is a great effort,” he said.
“[It is] a programme to support the development of players, who, we hope, will go on to play for Central Sparks in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy and the domestic women’s first-class competition.
“It also helps to bridge the gap from domestic cricket to the international game, as we now have a structure to prepare players better to make the step up from domestic cricket to playing for England.”
