Aylish Cranstone batting for Devon on the last tour to South Africa

DEVON’S young, lady cricketers will be on international duty again in February when they return to South Africa for the 2018 Women’s Cricket Festival.

A 15-girl playing party and a three-strong management team are flying out to Cape Town on February 10 for the four-handed tournament.

Waiting for Devon are Western Province, Namibia and Warwickshire and two games against each in T20 and 50-over formats.

Millie Squire bowling - she is one of three Filleigh players in the touring partyDevon finished midway up the table when they took part in the last tournament in 2016. Highlights of the trip were wins over Zimbabwe in both formats and a 50-over victory in the match against Western Province.

Steph Hutchins and Rose Ball both made the trip in 2016 and will be the senior pros in February. Hutchins will lead the side.

A new experience for the Devon girls – all under-19s – will be a day-night fixture at Bergvliet High School.

Touring is an expensive pastime and the girls are hard at work raising funds to meet the £2,000 cost of their places.

In addition to individual fund-raising, where players have been looking for sponsorship, the tour management of Sue Steart (manager), Alex Carr (head coach) and assistant coach, Amanda Higginbotham have organised a variety of fundraising activities to help raise team funds.

A justgiving page has been set up and can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/devon-womens-cricket-tour

The fund-raising starts with a Craft Fayre at Cloakham Lawn Sports Centre, Axminster on Sunday, December 10 (10am start).

A 24-hour batathon at Plymouth College has been booked from 5pm on Friday, December 15.

A busy few days concludes in Exeter on Sunday, December 17 when squad members will undertake a non-stop cycle challenge at Princesshay shopping centre.

The last major fund-raiser is a golf day at Teign Valley GC near Chudleigh on Friday, January 12. A bag-pack has been organised the following day at the Morrison’s store in Tavistock,

Tour organiser Warren Carr said: “If you are able, please go along and show your support to the girls in addition to visiting the sponsorship page to make a donation.

“We are still looking for a major tour sponsor and anyone interested should contact me.”

Carr is also the person to contact to take part in the golf day at Teign Valley. 

The playing party is Stephanie Hutchins (Plympton); Cassia Astley-Jones (Axminster); Rose Ball (Tarka); Daisy Meadowcroft (Filleigh); Millie Squire (Filleigh); Annabel Squire (Filleigh); Emma Seward (Axminster); Maddie Holifield (Axminster); Sophie Florides (Axminster); Holly Elsworth (Axminster); Katie Donovan (Axminster); Rebecca Halliday (Plympton); Olivia Churcher (Kingsbridge); Emily Martin (Plympton); Chloe Rose (Hatherleigh).