Congratulations to Year 11 pupil Liv Daniels who took part in the Gloucestershire Cricket Foundation Girls’ Performance Tour to Sri Lanka over February half-term.
At just 16, Liv was one of the youngest members of the touring side. She played in all six of the tour games, which including matches at Galle and Dambulla international grounds. Thanks to her strong bowling performances, Liv was awarded ‘Bowler of the Tour’; her best bowling figures – 3 for 18 in 4 overs – were achieved in a T20 game. Liv can also be proud of her performance with the bat; she was ‘not out’ in all four games she batted in, making it a successful tour all round!
Before coming to BGS in Year 7, Liv’s cricket experience was limited to games in the garden but her cricket career has rapidly progressed. Since joining the school and playing her first competitive matches, she has represented BGS every year in both boys’ and girls’ teams, playing her first ever hardball match in the Boys’ C team.
Her sporting talent was quickly recognised beyond BGS. When she was in Year 8, Liv was selected to join Gloucestershire’s Performance Pathway for the U13s and, having moved up through the U15 and U18 age-groups, she was selected for the Girls’ Emerging Players Pathway late last year.
While on the Sri Lanka tour, the team was coached by ex-England international and current Western Storm player, Fran Wilson, and her Western Storm teammate, Mollie Robbins, offering Liv a brilliant opportunity to learn from experienced players. The tour aimed to give up-and-coming pathway players the chance to test themselves against overseas opposition in hot and humid weather conditions and Liv certainly feels that she learnt a lot from having to adapt to the playing conditions in a different climate.
Reflecting on the trip, Liv described it as “the best experience I’ve had”, adding “I am very grateful for the advice and encouragement from the BGS staff, in particular, Mr Blackburn and coach Gary Phillips, in respect of my preparation for the tour and throughout my school career so far.”
Liv is keen to encourage more girls into the game. She is currently helping with coaching some of the younger years at BGS and is excited to see them progress in their own cricket journeys. She is also looking forward to the cricket season ahead and we wish her all the best playing for both BGS and Gloucestershire.
