No less than eight young school cricketers will be gaining representative honours this season, reports Ian Morgan.

Monmouth School for Girls is continuing to work closely with coaches from its partner boys’ school, which has been recognised for a third successive year in The Cricketer Schools Guide.

Year 12 student Sophia Smale, who is hoping to become a professional player, has been picked for Wales Women, Wales U18 girls and Western Storm’s Academy.

Sophia, a left-arm spinner and batter, was part of the Western Storm Women’s cricket squad that enjoyed a five-day pre-season training camp in southern Spain.

Seventeen-year-old Sophia and the Western Storm squad made use of the outstanding facilities at Desert Springs, in the Almeria region of Andalucía.

Last summer, she became the first female player in history to represent Monmouth School for Boys’ 1st XI cricket team.

Year 10 student Lotte Matthews and Carys Evans, from Year 9, have also been picked for Wales U15 girls, while the latter is also a member of the Glamorgan Ladies Academy.

Year 8 trio Sophie Williams, Jessica Law and Meghan Ridyard have been selected for Wales U13 girls.

And Emily Vizard, from Year 9, has been picked for East Wales senior girls and Year 7 pupil, Helena Pugh, for Herefordshire U12 girls.