WORCESTERSHIRE Women's Rapids all-rounder Hannah Baker has taken the first step onto the England Pathway.

The Rapids under 15s player has been selected to be part of the West Midlands Regional Development Centre programme.

Baker is an upper-order batsman and leg-spinner and plays club cricket for Beacon in Staffordshire.

Rapids senior coach Sam Wyles said: “This is a massive achievement for Hannah and goes to show all the hard work over the past couple of years is paying off.

“To be selected for the West Midlands Regional Development Centre is the first step on the England Pathway for girls.

“This is a brilliant opportunity for her to further her game and progress through our system and hopefully one day into our senior’s women’s team.

“We wish her all the best and will support her in any way we can.”

Baker said: “I’m over the moon about this opportunity and just can’t wait to start.

"I am looking forward to the extra training to help improve my skills.

“This can hopefully improve me and help me to score more runs and gain more wickets next year.”

Dan Such, who is a cricket development coach for Worcestershire Cricket Board and the Rapids under 15s coach, said “I think it’s great that Hannah has got into the regional development centre.

“It is really good to see her hard work and patience through County and club has paid off and now I wish her all the best on her next stage of cricket.”