County call for Olivia

SCHOOLGIRL cricketer Olivia McCusker.

CRICKET: CHADDERTON teenager Olivia McCusker has been invited for trials with Lancashire after bowling over scouts.

The 15-year-old, who plays for Middleton and Rochdale & District under-15s, only started playing 12 months ago.

She beat the boys to Middleton’s best fielder prize last season and has already starred for the club’s under-18s.

And after a string of superb spin-bowling performances, she has been asked to train with the county’s girls team.

"It's her all-round performance in the field that won her the prize," said proud dad James.

"She once dived to catch this full-blooded drive close in which had everybody gasping.

“All Olivia said was 'If I had known it was going to hurt that much I wouldn't have touched it!'"

Funnily enough, Olivia currently does not play for any sports teams at her school.

She said: “They don’t play cricket!”

Former Lancashire junior player Sam Holt, now a coach for Rochdale Community Cricket Development, praised Olivia’s progress and added: “Hopefully we will find a couple more stars.”