England duo a hit with girls

TWO England women cricketers have been passing on their knowledge to local girls. Sussex players Caroline Atkins and Rosalie Birch came over in connection with the county's partnership with Guernsey cricket and the pair were impressed with a number of schools around the island.

'It's been really good and they've got some natural ability,' said the 26-year-old Atkins.

'I don't know how long Jonny Orme has been going into the schools but they look like they've experienced cricket.'

Orme, the Guernsey Cricket Board development coach, said the England duo had helped change local girls' perception of the sport.

'They've been tremendous,' he said.

'The girls now realise that there is more to cricket and that it's not a male dominated sport.'

Atkins and Birch have 12 Test caps and 51 international one-day appearances between them. Atkins is a classy opening batsman while Birch is an off-spinning all-rounder.

The pair ran sessions at Ladies' College, Blanchelande and a number of primary schools. They also worked with the island's female team, the Sirens, and with the girls' cricket league.

The league takes place every Thursday night and this week with the England players giving tips, the number of girls shot up to 46 from 20 the week before.

Jason Shambrook, the GCB's development officer, said it was a pleasure having Atkins and Birch in the island.

'They've just run some sessions to get girls interested,' he said.

'They're trying to give people an introduction. It's something we want to build on.

'They want to come over during the winter every couple of months and we'll try and build it up and try and get girls' cricket going.'

Any females interested in cricket can contact Jonny Orme on 722950.