MCC announce two more female Young Cricketers

Lynsey Askew and Charlie Russell have become the latest women to be invited onto the MCC Young Cricketers scheme.

They join Jenny Halstead, Stephanie Davies and Hannah Burr, all of whom are in their second or third and final year of the scheme. Caroline Atkins and Nicola Shaw have finished their three-year stints with the MCC.

Askew, the Kent allrounder, and Russell are both England internationals, with the offspinner Russell making her England debut earlier this year.

England's captain Charlotte Edwards was understandably pleased at the continued recognition of the talent in the women's game. She said: "The MCC Young Cricketers programme has long been noted as a fantastic development model for some of the most talented players around.

"I'm delighted that these five girls will be given the opportunity to concentrate on their game in the best cricket environment in the world."