As the inaugural ICC Under-19 Women's T20 World Cup gets underway on Saturday, we take a look at the Edgbaston-based youngsters looking to make their mark on the international stage.
Two years after it was due to take place, 16 teams will compete in South Africa in a tournament comprising 41 matches.
The top three teams from each pool will move into the Super Sixes, where the four original groups will become two pools of six countries, ahead of the semi-finals and ultimately the final in Potchefstroom on 29 January.
England, led by Blaze coach Chris Guest, head into the competition in strong form having despatched the West Indies and Indonesia by nine and ten wickets respectively in their warm-up fixtures.
England, who also include former international Laura Marsh and Central Sparks coach Darren Franklin as coaches, have opted to rotate their bowlers with Central Sparks’ Hannah Baker standing out.
They’ve been drafted into Group B, where they will face Pakistan, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, with the opening fixture against Zimbabwe taking place on Sunday (11.45am BST).
The squad – which is among the tournament favourites – features four members of the Edgbaston-based Central Sparks side.
Ellie Anderson (Central Sparks)
Role: All-Rounder (right-hand bat, right-arm medium)
Team(s): Worcestershire, Central Sparks Academy
Ellie is part of the Central Sparks Academy, having progressed through the Worcestershire ranks to the first team in 2018. The 20-year-old has made a strong impact within the Sparks set-up and is set to make her senior bow in the upcoming campaign.
As a promising all-rounder, Ellie has shown her ability in both sides have of the game having top-scored in the 2022 season for the unbeaten Worcestershire with 43 not out, whilst taking nine wickets.
Hannah Baker (Central Sparks)
Role: Bowler (right-arm leg-spin)
Team(s): Warwickshire, Central Sparks, Welsh Fire
Just 18, Hannah is already making a significant impact on the game, having shone in her mid-teens. Playing for the Sparks at 16, Baker is now a key part of their attack, taking 12 wickets in 13 games across the 2022 season as one of their most economical bowlers.
Originally a Worcestershire product, Hannah joined Warwickshire in 2020, becoming their leading wicket-taker for the 2021 season.
It was those impressive performances that led to Hannah signing for Welsh Fire for the inaugural season of The Hundred as an injury replacement, with the right-armer re-signing for this year’s edition.
Charis Paveley (Central Sparks)
Role: All-Rounder (left-hand bat, left-arm spinner)
Team(s): Worcestershire, Central Sparks Academy
Like Ellie, Charis is another member of the Sparks’ academy who has tasted success at Worcestershire. A valuable left-arm all-rounder, Charis played a huge part in their success as the Pears topped their group in the T20 County Championships in 2022.
A powerful striker of the ball, Charis has shown top-order potential having scored 610 runs in 13 Worcestershire Women U18 innings.
Davina Perrin (Central Sparks)
Role: All-Rounder (right-hand bat, right-arm medium, right-arm leg-spin)
Team(s): Staffordshire, Central Sparks, Birmingham Phoenix
As one of England’s most exciting talents, Davina has proven she is up for the task. At just 16-years-old, Davina is preparing for her GCSEs, whilst settling straight into the Sparks senior squad.
As an all-rounder who can open and bowl seam and leg-spin, Davina signed her first professional contract with Sparks, before becoming a part of Birmingham Phoenix’s squad in 2022 where she was the youngest player involved in The Hundred.
With a big future ahead, Davina showed her class in the Sparks’ final fixture, taking three wickets in four balls and firing 45 with seven boundaries.
All games of the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup will be streamed on http://icc.tv.
For the first time, Edgbaston will host both a Men’s and Women’s Ashes fixture in the same summer in 2023. Over 13,000 tickets have already been sold for the Women’s Ashes IT20 fixture on Saturday 1 July, which is set to break attendance records.
Tickets are still available from only £15 from tickets.edgbaston.com.
Over 13,000 sold for Women’s IT20 vs Pakistan
Pakistan Women will be in Birmingham on Saturday 11 May 2024 and over 13,000 tickets have already been sold.
With the Men’s IT20 already sold out, this is your last chance to see Pakistan at Edgbaston next summer and tickets are available from only £17, with under 16s £5.
