Young Siren gets a county call-up

STEP aside Tim Ravenscroft, there is a girl in the island who is also making waves in junior county cricket. The girl in question is 16-year-old Hannah Mechem, who like Ravenscroft, has been over to the UK to play for a county team.

The St Sampson's school student made her debut for the Sussex under-17s when they beat Kent earlier this month in Newington.

The young Sarnian impressed the Sussex coaching staff so much that they have retained her on their books for next year.

'They say I've got potential and there is no reason why I can't go back next season,' said Mechem.

'They are going to sort out some training for me to go over to during the winter. I definitely enjoyed the match.

'I just enjoyed the opportunity to go over there and play.'

Mechem certainly made the most of her opportunity.

The seamer opened the bowling and took Kent's first wicket. She returned figures of one for 29 that helped restrict Kent to 147 off 30 overs.

In reply, Sussex got to their total for the loss of four wickets.

Mechem had been due to make her Sussex debut at the end of July against Cornwall at Horsham but the game was unfortunately rained off.

Her county match is undoubtedly the highlight of her cricket career so far.

She started playing three years when her teacher, Michelle Bromley, got her involved with the women's team, the Sirens.

Through encouragement from club member Sarah Day, Mechem has progressed in the game to be able to hold her own in men's cricket with her other team, NRG Pessimists B.

A good all-round sportswomen, who lists football and netball as her other interests, cricket is now her main focus.

It was Guernsey cricket development coach Jason Shambrook who recognised her talent and suggested that she went to the mainland to develop her game.

'He said that they have taken me as far as we can go over here and that I should go away and play with girls my own age and ability in England,' said Mechem.

So will we be seeing her wearing the three lions of England on her cricket sweater in the future?

'I just want to take it as far as I can with Sussex,' she said.

'If this is as far as I go, I don't mind because I've always got my cricket over here.'

Shambrook is delighted with the breakthrough.

'It's fantastic for Guernsey and all of the coaches are pleased that she has made the step into county cricket in the UK.

'Hannah was invited to joint the Pricewaterhouse Coopers Cricket School of Excellence last winter where she developed into a useful all-round player with both the bat and ball,' he said.