Today, Sunrisers unveiled their Academy cohort for 2021/2022, having completed an extensive selection process which has seen talented young cricketers from across the Sunrisers network of first-class and national counties within the London and East region observed and assessed.
The result of that process sees a group of fifteen players selected and named as the Academy intake for the next twelve months, who will all benefit from an extensive winter training programme leading into pre-season, ahead of a busy summer of matches and festivals in 2022.
The intake for the next twelve months sees players selected from five of the counties within the Sunrisers region: including four from the national counties of Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
Speaking of the new Academy intake, Sunrisers Senior Regional Talent Manager, Luke Pomfret, commented:
“I am delighted that we have been able to finalise our 2021-22 Academy Cohort.
“After a rigorous selection process underpinned by a strong scouting network and the ‘Sunrisers Smash’, where we observed over 50 players, we have identified a group of 15 high quality young cricketers to make up the group. It was very tough to narrow down to 15, given the quality of players in the region and the skill levels shown, but with the increased numbers on the Emerging Player Programme that sits immediately below the Academy the future of Sunrisers looks very bright.
“3 of the 15 selected players have transitioned from last year’s EPP into the Academy squad, which shows the strength of our Pathway, and this has been mirrored by progression from the Academy up into the full Sunrisers side, with both Mia Rogers and Katherine Speed making the step up and playing for the Senior Sunrisers side in 2021. “We are excited to get started in the coming weeks with this group across our training sites at Essex CCC, William Perkin School & Haileybury School. We feel that there are a real diverse range of skills, talent and people within the cohort and are incredibly pleased that the group represents six different counties, both National and First-Class, five of whom are within our region which is testament to the good work that the counties do. We aim to provide an environment in which these players can thrive and develop to the best of their abilities and are excited to hopefully get a full winter’s training into the girls ahead of a busy summer of games and festivals!”
The squad of fifteen, selected for the Academy is as follows:
Amuruthaa Surenkumar – Middlesex
A genuine pace bowling all-rounder who can impact the game with both bat and ball and a potential match-winner. In her second year on the programme and the youngest member of the Academy.
Anisha Dissanayake – Middlesex
A big turning leg-spinner and the only player to take a five’fer last year on the Academy. A gun fielder, specialising at extra cover. In her second year on the programme.
Charley Phillips – Hertfordshire
A new addition to the programme. An out and out quick bowler who has the potential to take key wickets with the new ball. Showcased some match winning performances in county cricket last year to earn her selection.
Elsa Barnfather – Hertfordshire
A fast-bowling all-rounder with great ability to change the game with both bat and ball. In her second year on the programme and looking forward to bouncing back from injury and showing her skills.
Esmae MacGregor – Essex
A skilful right-arm seam bowler who challenges batters with the new ball. A useful lower order batter and an excellent fielder. In her second year on the programme
Florence Miller – Northamptonshire
A destructive top order batter and last year’s player of the year. An excellent fielder, in her second year on the programme. Played in senior squad T20s last year. Went to school games in 2021.
Hannah Davis – Buckinghamshire
A new addition to the programme. A skilful and attacking leg spin bowler who looks to put batters under pressure. Good leadership skills and transitioned from the EPP.
Isabella Routledge – Cambridgeshire
A resilient and run hungry right hand opening batter and useful off spinner. In her second year on the programme. A strong leader, an excellent captain and an intelligent thinker about the game. Went to school games in 2021.
Isabella James – Cambridgeshire
A new addition to the programme. A big spinning leg-spinner who was exposed to the Academy environment last year and was the leading wicket taker for us at the Academy Festival at Shrewsbury School. Transitioned from EPP
Jazz Westley – Essex
A top order batter capable of batting long and scoring big runs and a useful medium pace bowler with a box of tricks. In her second year on the programme. Went to school games in 2021.
Jess Olorenshaw - Essex
An exciting top order batter and wicket keeper who has the ability to turn a game on its head and to take the game to the opposition. In her second year on the programme. Went to school games in 2021.
Jodi Grewcock – Northamptonshire
A resolute left-handed opening batter, who has the ability to bat long periods of time and to score big runs. A developing leg spinner and strong fielder. In her second year on the programme.
Layla Judge – Middlesex
A skiddy left arm quick who challenges batters and an excellent death bowler. Wants to bowl as fast as possible and challenge batters’ technique and temperament. Always looking to take wickets and take control of games. In her second year on programme.
Riva Pindoria - Middlesex
Another new addition to the programme. A genuine all-rounder who is a wily off spinner and quality top order batter. Made her debut for Middlesex senior team as a 14-year-old last year and won the Club’s Women’s Youth Player of the Year award.
Scarlett Hughes – Essex
A powerful top-order batter capable of taking the game away from the opposition. A clean striker of the ball and a good player of spin. Gun fielder prowling the mid-wicket region and a quality wicket keeper. In her second year in the programme.