RACHAEL WALSH is this week bowling them over at the heart of English Cricket.

The youngster has reached the final of Young Female Cricketer of The Year.

And this week she travelled to Lord's where she was the youngest competitor in girls from all over the country pitting their cricketing talents against each other.

She lines up against 23 other finalists up to the age of 21, each facing a series of net sessions when their cricketing skills will be judged by a series of top coaches.

Rachael has already come out top in area tests held at Old Trafford and is ready for the final challenge against the winners of the other regional finals. "She's really excited about it all," said delighted father Steve, who is captain of Atherton Cricket Club and the Bolton Association's representative side.

"It's the first time she has been to Lord's and I think she's as thrilled about that as the actual contest."

It's the latest cricketing honour to come the way of Rachael, a pupil at St Mary's, Astley.

She is a member of the England U15s girls team and trains once a month with the U17s squad at Trent Bridge. In the Bolton Association she has played alongside the boys in the U13s and U14s side at Atherton and this season will be lining up at U15s.

"She is going to Lord's to enjoy the occasion," said Steve. "If she can come out on top that will be marvellous. We know the competition will be tough but nothing seems to worry her.

"She has played cricket since she was six and takes it all in her stride."

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