From the valleys to 'The Home of Cricket'

Date released: 22 May 2008

Stephanie Davies stands in the Lord's pavilion soaking in the unique atmosphere of the Long Room during the first Test of the summer.

Stephanie Davies in her England blazer at Lord's The girl who started playing cricket at eight in Aberdare because her dad's team 'needed someone to stand still in the field' has grown into a full Women’s International at just 20 years of age, complete with a four-wicket haul against Australia and an MCC Young Cricketer contract to her name.

Over the next four months Davies will make Lord's her home as she embarks on her second summer of playing and training with the MCC Young Cricketers.

The MCC Young Cricketers scheme gives promising young players the opportunity to benefit from the expertise of MCC Head Coach Clive Radley's coaching team, world class facilities and intensive playing programmes at Lord's.

Role model

Graduates of the women's scheme, coached by Alan Duncan, include Davies' England team-mates Nicki Shaw and Caroline Atkins.

Nicki Shaw is an MCC Young Cricketers graduate Davies started playing County Cricket for Somerset at just 13 and is currently involved with establishing a Glamorgan girls colts side by acting as a role model for the young girls who want to emulate her.

However, with so many of England’s finest players concentrated in Loughborough and Kent, top local competition can be hard to find.

Davies explains that by bringing young talent to play and train together at Lord's, the MCC Young Cricketers programme helps them improve all aspect of their games.

"Many places do not have women’s teams or, at best, only very new ones and unless you have access to somewhere like Loughborough, it is hard to get top quality regular competition.

"By bringing together players of a high standard under great coaches and giving us the opportunity to train every day, take advantage of the gym and play regularly for MCC Women, both our skills improve and so does our understanding of the game."

Promising start

As a university student in Cardiff Davies has to juggle exams in her Sport and PE degree with her commitments to England, Somerset and her club, Bath.

Once her first year at university is over she can embark on a summer of cricket at Lord’s on 9 June.

As well as training with both the male and female MCC Young Cricketers, Davies will work with the Lord’s groundstaff and coach children from MCC’s grassroots programme during Test Matches.

Radley, after receiving his MBE for services to cricket Clive Radley, who has been involved in the game with England, Middlesex and MCC for over 40 years, says: "We have great hopes for the five women who will be with us as MCC Young Cricketers this season.

"Stephanie has made a promising start to her international career and we’ll be looking to work on that and develop her game so she goes onto even greater success with the England Women in 2008.

"Because the MCC Young Cricketers are in or on the fringes of the national team, the opportunity to practise and play intensely together every day brings about the healthy competition they need to establish themselves on the international stage."

After taking 4-47 on debut versus Australia, Davies is aiming to work on her batting to establish herself as an all-rounder in an England team that is on the up and looking forward to series versus South Africa and India.

A summer of success at Lord's and for England will make Davies the best possible role model to the young girls in South Wales keen to follow in her footsteps.