Rainford’s Ellie Threlkeld has been called up to the England A squad for their tour of Australia next month.
The wicketkeeper will join her NW Thunder and Manchester Originals team-mate Emma Lamb in the squad of 12, who will play three T20s and three 50-over games against Australia A between January 26 and February 11.
It’s the first time a women’s A team has toured alongside the senior squad, against whom they will play two three-day warm-up games before the Women’s Ashes Test in Canberra.
Already one of the first cohort of women’s domestic professionals, 23-year-old Threlkeld was an ever-present for both Thunder and the Originals in their various competitions this summer, impressing a national TV audience with some smart glovework during the Hundred.
After the Ashes tour, England are due to defend their World Cup in New Zealand in March and April.
The senior squad for the tour of Australia includes two other Thunder/Originals players in seamer Kate Cross and left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone.
