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Journalism of Courage
London, July 16: A 15-year-old schoolgirl is on the verge of making history by breaking into England’s under-15 boys cricket team.
Laura Harper, an off-spinner from Cornwall, has already reached the penultimate selection phase after being named in the West of England boys team, and England coach Paul Farbrace is, by all reports, a huge fan.
England Cricket Board spokeswoman Cath Harris said there were no rules preventing Harper from being selected for an England boys team.
Harris said, “She has a good chance on merits — Paul Farbrace thinks she’s got a lot of potential.”
Harper took up the sport at eight when her mother suggested she go to a local club to find something to occupy her time. And she’s played the bulk of her cricket with the boys ever since.
She’s already achieved representative honors in the women’s game, earning a berth in the England Under-17 squad. Tomorrow she’s scheduled to fly out with the England A squad for the European Cup in Denmark.
“There’s more chances for girls toplay cricket these days, even in the primary schools, and girls like Laura are showing how talented the girls can be,” Harris said.
