THE Somerset CCC Women’s squad were meant to be flying out to Sharjah as part of their pre-season preparations, but in view of the current situation in the middle east they headed out to Pretoria on Wednesday.

Before they set off head coach Erin Osborne the Somerset head coach said: “Our trip to Sharjah has changed and instead we will be heading off to Pretoria on Wednesday, where we will be looking to play a few games and do some training as well which is really important seeing that we have been indoors for the last four months.

“It’s important for us to spend some time away as a team and build our culture and identity, so we are all looking forward to it.”

Talking about the young Australian all rounder Anika Learoyd who is joining Somerset the head coach said: “I think she will be a wonderful addition, a part of our culture and what really matters to us as a squad is people first and we know she will fit in with us rather than us having to fit in with her.

“She is a fantastic person and will bring her experiences playing for Australia A and New South Wales and help to develop our players. If she gets runs then that’s a bonus for us but the fact that she has had some experiences playing in a high performance environment and will be able to pass some of those learnings onto our players is key in bringing her in.

“We come back from Pretoria, and have two practice games, one home and one away, so hopefully the weather will be good for us when we return, and then April 11 is our first game here at the Coopers Associates County Ground against Yorkshire, which I’m really looking forward to.

“You never really know how your’e going to fair until you play your first game of cricket for the season so it will be interesting to see how we are going to go.

Will Somerset’s England players be available early season?

“I’m hoping so as it’s always a bonus having them here, just having them around our squad which they have been this pre-season, their wealth of knowledge and their expertise is really valuable. I know that our girls love having them in and around us, so any opportunity we have for them playing for us is very much appreciated.”

Earlier this week Erin and Sophie Luff caught up with Enid Bakewell, a legend of England Women’s cricket, who played in 12 Test matches between 1968 and 79 and played in the first ever Women’s World Cup in 1973 which England won, in which she scored 118 in the final against Australia. The 85 year old Enid was visiting the Somerset Cricket Museum and SCCC to take part in a television programme that was being recorded.

Once they return from their pre season trip to South Africa the Somerset Women have two pre-season matches ahead of their opening One Day game, the first of which is at the Cooper Associates County Ground on April 7th.

Meanwhile Somerset’s Dani Gibson, Bex Odgers and Ellie Anderson were selected in the inaugural auction for The Hundred which was held at Piccadilly Lights in London.