RAINFORD Cricket Club’s young wicket keeper Ellie Threlkeld has been chosen to join the England Women’s Senior Academy.

Ellie, aged 18, is one of 14 players, also including Lancashire teammate Emma Lamb, selected for the programme designed to enhance the skills of players to ensure they are equipped to perform for England on the international stage.

Women’s High Performance Manager Jonathan Finch said: “We are excited by the players and the coaching team we have working with this group and following on from their initial camp in Desert Springs the younger players will be working towards a tri-series with Australia and South Africa next year.”

Ellie, from Windle, St Helens, began playing cricket aged 8 at Rainford Cricket Club and after playing in all the age group teams, progressed quickly to the 3rd and 2nd XIs before breaking into the 1st XI this year.

Rainford skipper David Snellgrove is delighted with Ellie’s progress and selection.

“Everyone here is pleased,” he said.

“Ellie is our first choice wicket keeper and we look forward to her playing with us in the Liverpool Competition Premier Division next year.”

Ellie, now in her first year at Loughborough University, has benefited greatly from development with the Lancashire Women’s and Girls section of the Lancashire Cricket Board where she has played at all age groups from under 11, is part of the recently successful Lancashire County Women’s team and has been a member of the Lancashire Thunder Kia Super league squad for the last two years.