A 16-year-old academy player has been selected for the England U19 squad going to the ICC Women’s U19 World Cup.
Eve O’Neill, a Southern Vipers academy player, will represent England in the tournament scheduled in Malaysia across January and February.
O’Neill will be joined by fellow Vipers teammates Abi Norgrove, Poppy Tulloch, and Daisy Gibb.
She joined the Southern Vipers academy setup in 2022 while continuing to play for her local team, Calmore CC.
The spin bowler started playing cricket at Abbotswood School at the age of seven.
She quickly progressed through various county pathways and represented Calmore CC, the Western Rattlers, and then gained county selection at U11 and U13 levels.
Since joining the Vipers, O’Neill made her first XI debut for Calmore in 2023, culminating in her World Cup call-up.
Last month, O’Neill was honoured to activate the Utilita Bowl’s new solar panel array on the pitch ahead of England’s IT20 match against Australia.
Her time at the Southern Vipers academy has also seen her coaching, tutoring, and umpiring skills being developed.
O’Neill couldn’t be happier to receive the call up, she said: "I am absolutely delighted to be selected for the England U19 World Cup T20 squad. Being in this position is an honour and is the result of hard work, as well as the tremendous support from my clubs, schools, county, academy, and everyone who has helped me develop since I started playing Kwik Cricket at the age of seven.
"Being part of the county cricket pathway and the Southern Vipers Academy has been a privilege that has really helped me improve my game. The opportunity to score, umpire, and coach young cricketers, too, has been fantastic. It is exciting to see how the women’s game is developing, and I would encourage girls who have never played to give it a try."
In February, O’Neill travelled to Rwanda as part of the Hampshire Cricket Board’s ‘Girl’s Young Leaders Programme’.
The programme helped participants hone other cricket-related skills through sessions and matches against Rwandan teams.
It provided young players with a well-rounded skillset and a better understanding of various aspects of the sport.
O’Neill’s rapid rise through the ranks in Hampshire cricket is being closely watched, and her selection for the World Cup squad is a significant milestone in her young career.
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