Gloucestershire Women: Captain Hill looks ahead to 2019 season as new sponsorship deal announced
4 May 2019
Gloucestershire Women will kick off their 2019 campaign in style this Sunday thanks to a new kit sponsored by Nick King Car Sales.
The side – led by new captain Alice Hill – will wear the new yellow and black clothing in competitive action for the first time when they take on Dorset and Cornwall in a bank holiday double header.
The two matches mark the start of the ECB Women’s County Championship 50 over competition. And Alice is quietly optimistic about the squad’s chances.
She said: “Although it is a young squad, there is a lot of cricket experience there, with the majority having played all the way through the county age groups.
“Everyone has worked really hard over the winter and there is a great atmosphere in the squad. Everyone gets on really well and hopefully that will translate into some good performances on the field.”
Gloucestershire go into their opening Championship fixtures on the back of a testing friendly versus a Devon Development XI. Despite suffering a 92 run defeat, there were plenty of positive performances - particularly in the field. Spinners Hill (0-15 from 6), Lucy Gladdy (2-37 from 7) and Bea Ellis (2-18 from 6) all impressed, while there were also wickets for seamers Cerys King, Millie Rossiter and Emma O’Connor. Chasing 184 Glos struggled with the bat, Sidra Khan top-scoring with 22.
Alice believes her squad can compete in both the 50 over and T20 competitions this season but says they haven’t set themselves any specific targets.
She said: “I want the girls to feel confident enough to go out and play their game without putting too much pressure on themselves. I think if they can do that and we stay strong as a team we can have a good season.”
The 16-person squad includes four new faces - Abby Whybrow (Dumbleton), Emma O’Connor (Poulton), Emily Parsons (Bristol YMCA) and Chloe Tingle (Brockhampton) - and has been bolstered by the return of Hill and opening bowler Mollie Robbins after a year out.
Back Row (L to R): Alice Mundy, Cerys King, Emily Parsons, Millie Rossiter, Emma O’Connor, Lucy Gladdy, Sidra Khan, Jamie Diamond (coach)
Front Row L to R: Chloe Tingle, Chloe Skelton, Alice Hill (captain), Bea Ellis, Abby Whybrow (wkt)
Alice says she believes there are several players worth watching out for including seamers Robbins and Helen Cutler, batter Helen Skelton and young allrounder Bea Ellis.
She said: “I think Mollie will be a real threat and I think Helen will have a good season – she works really hard and is improving all the time. I expect Chloe to get a lot of runs this year and although she is the youngest in the squad Bea is coming through and I think she can have an impact with bat and ball.”
New Gloucestershire Women’s sponsor Nick King Car Sales is a used car dealer with three sites in Gloucestershire – two in Gloucester and one in Cinderford. The firm has been established for more than 20 years and has developed a reputation for value, service and integrity. It currently has a range of more than 250 vehicles.
Company founder Nick King plays at Corse and Staunton Cricket Club with his son Callum and daughter Cerys, who is in the Gloucestershire Women’s squad. He said he was delighted to support the team after speaking with new coach Jamie Diamond.
He said: “Jamie has put so much into getting the girls ready for the season. When he mentioned that the previous kit deal had fallen through, he was quite deflated. I am a lifelong cricket fan and am delighted I was able to help. Hopefully the new kit will help the girls feel that bit more professional and they will wear the shirt with pride this summer.”
Gloucestershire Women 2019 Squad
1- Alice Hill (Captain)
2- Abby Whybrow (Wkt)
3- Chloe Skelton
4- Mollie Robbins
5- Sidra Khan
6- Cerys King
7- Alice Mundy
8- Izzy Carey
9- Bea Ellis
10- Chloe Tingle
11- Helen Cutler
12- Lucy Gladdy
13- Emily Parsons
14- Millie Rossiter
15- Millie Ashford
16- Emma O’Connor
For more information on Nick King Car Sales please visit http://www.kingscarsales.co.uk/
You can keep up to date with Gloucestershire Women’s games on https://twitter.com/gloswomenscrick or https://www.facebook.com/Gloswomenscrick/
