Red Rose Sophie earns top award

LANCASHIRE Thunder left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone has been voted the ICC Women’s Emerging Player of the Year after taking 18 wickets in nine ODIs and 17 in 14 T20Is during 2018.

The 19-year-old was also named Lancashire Thunder’s Young Player of the Tournament after taking 15 wickets at an average of 15 in the Kia Super League, while also being voted as the Professional Cricketers Association’s Women’s Player of the Year.

“I am really delighted to win this award,” said Ecclestone of her latest prize.

“The most important thing is winning on the field, but it’s nice to be recognised.

“I work really hard to try and improve my game and I’ve really enjoyed the last 12 months.

“It was my first full year as an England player after finishing my education so it’s amazing to get an award like this.

“There have been lots of great moments.

“As an England team we’ve played some really good cricket and we did well to reach the final of the ICC Women’s World T20.

“We learned a lot in India at the beginning of the year and we took that into our summer against New Zealand and South Africa.

“We’ve never said we’re the perfect team but we’ll keep working hard to get better and that’s the same for me.”