Amara Carr in action

Exeter Cricketers selected for Women’s Super League Squads

Women’s Cricket team Western Storm have announced the 15 players who will make up their squad for the inaugural Kia Super League, which will be hosted by the University of Exeter and other institutions. Among those selected are two current Exeter students, while others with links to the University have been chosen for Super League squads across the country.

Cricket scholars Amara Carr and Freya Davies have been selected for Western Storm and will be based at the South West Consortium venues: Somerset County Cricket Club, Gloucestershire County Cricket Club and the University of Exeter. Both Davies and Carr have previously played for England Women’s Academy. Two of their teammates, Jodie Dibble and Cait O’Keefe, were formerly TASS (Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme) athletes at the University of Exeter.

Western Storm General Manager Lisa Pagett said: “We are extremely happy to welcome all 15 of the players confirmed today to the Western Storm family. The England players and overseas internationals bring an amazing amount of quality to the squad, and it is brilliant that some of the very best young talent from the West County will get the opportunity to play alongside them.”

Meanwhile, other teams competing in the Super League have selected talented athletes with links to the University of Exeter. Alice MacLeod, a current student on our High Performance Programme, has been chosen for the Southern Vipers squad, alongside former Cricket Scholar Fi Morris. Current scholar Aylish Cranstone will play for the Surrey Stars.

ECB Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “The momentum behind the new Kia Super League continues to gather pace, and today marks another important milestone as we get set for the competition’s launch later this summer. The six squads are well balanced and full of quality, talent, youth and experience.”

Western Storm are also delighted to announce that tickets for their three home fixtures are now on sale. Tickets for upcoming matches at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton can be purchased online via Somerset County Cricket Club. Tickets for upcoming matches at the Brightside Ground, Bristol can be purchased online via Gloucestershire Cricket Club. Tickets cost just £5 for adults, £1 for Under 19s and £10 for a Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children).

The full Western Storm squad line-up is as follows: Stafanie Taylor; Rachael Priest; Lizelle Lee; Heather Knight; Anya Shrubsole; Fran Wilson; Sophie Luff; Freya Davies; Amara Carr; Jodie Dibble; Rosalie Fairbairn (née Birch); Georgia Hennessy; Sophie Mackenzie; Cait O’Keefe; Izzy Westbury.

For more information on this story, please contact Spencer Bishop on 01823 425316 or email spencerb@somersetcountycc.co.uk.

Cricket is one of the University’s nine focus sports and the University will host the Women’s Cricket Super League as part of a South West consortium from 2016. The University of Exeter Sports Scholarship Scheme is one of the most prestigious in the UK, helping the best student athletes reach their full potential. The scheme provides a comprehensive support package and is tailored to suit the needs of each individual athlete. Many of our graduating scholars have progressed to a professional level in their chosen sport and represented their respective countries on the global stage.

The University of Exeter has been awarded The Times and The Sunday Times Sports University of the Year 2016, following significant investment and development over the past 10 years. The University has also achieved a Global 100 ranking in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. The prestigious rankings, which mean Exeter retains its position as best in the South West, take into account a wide range of factors, including student satisfaction and research excellence. 

Date: 21 April 2016