RAINFORD 19-year-old Ellie Threlkeld arrived in South Africa with the England Women's Senior Academy this week for the start of a six-match tri-nations series with the hosts and Australia.

Threlkeld, a Lancashire Thunder wicketkeeper and batter who also plays football for Wigan Athletic, started playing cricket at the age of nine.

She represented the Lancashire County Age Groups at under 11s, and was captain of the under 13s side that won the County Championship.

Threlkeld was part of the under 17s team that won the Royal London Girls Under 17s County Cup in 2015 and was named Lancashire's junior player of the year for girls in 2014 aged 15, and in 2016 when 17-years-old.

She made her senior debut for Lancashire Women in the 2013 T20 Midlands/North Division Final, and her 50-over bow followed in 2014.

Threlkeld was named the young player of the year in the LCB Women's awards in 2015, helping Lancashire gain promotion from Division Two of the T20 competition.

Another promotion season followed in 2016 in the County Championship while last year she was a double-winner as Lancashire claimed both Division One crowns in the 50-over County Championship/Royal London Cup and NatWest T20 competitions.

Threlkeld has 30 catches and 42 stumpings from her 65 games for the senior women’s teams.

She has been ever-present in the Lancashire Thunder side and this is her third season with the Kia Super League team.