England Call Up for PhoenixÂs Fi Morris
30 August 2012
Bristol Phoenix’s Fi Morris could become the first Gloucestershire woman to play against a full International side after she was named in the England U19 squad to face Pakistan.
The 18-year-old off-spinner will be hoping for a chance to impress in the two Twenty20 matches at Loughborough on Saturday ahead of the announcement of the senior England squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Fi – who has been involved with Gloucestershire for the last three seasons – has already been selected in a provisional 30 strong squad for the tournament which takes place in Sri Lanka next month.
Lisa Pagett, Development Officer for women and girls at the Gloucestershire Cricket Board said: “It is a fantastic opportunity for Fi and one which she really deserves. Her bowling has always been strong but she has worked really hard to improve her all-round game and is now seeing the fruits of that.”
And Lisa believes the former Colston’s Girls’ School pupil has benefited from being on the GCB’s Emerging Player Programme alongside some of the county’s most talented boys.
She said: “Training on the EPP with the boys has definitely helped raise her standards. Working in that environment has pushed her to be more competitive and really stretch herself.”
Lisa added that Fi’s call-up would also help inspire the ever-growing number of girls playing cricket in Gloucestershire.
She said: “It is fantastic for our girls to see someone from their county going on to play at the highest level and Fi is a great role model for them to look up to.”
Jonathan Finch, Head Coach of the England Women’s U19 Development Programme said the matches with Pakistan were an excellent chance for his young players to showcase their talents.
He said: “This is a great opportunity for the England U19s to compete against an International side who themselves are preparing for the ICC World Twenty20.
“These matches will provide the players with the opportunity to establish how their game holds up on the International stage and to establish areas of development to fulfil their potential.”
For more information contact:
Luke Sellers, GCB Communications Officer
07584 705646
