Lancashire Women bowler Olivia Thomas has been awarded a Scholarship this year by the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust.
The charity was founded in 1995 with one of its aims to offer promising young cricketers financial assistance to fulfil their potential at county level, in both the men’s and women’s game.
Thomas, aged 16, made her debut for Lancashire Women last year against Nottinghamshire Women at Carnforth Cricket Club in a Royal London One-Day fixture where she took 1/31 from seven overs, including the wicket of England international Jenny Gunn.
The young spinner, who plays for Heywood Cricket Club, has come through the Lancashire system where last year she represented the Club’s U15s in the National Finals, the U17s to the National T20 final and made her Lancashire Women’s debut. She is also part of the Thunder Regional Development centre, whilst also being named in the England Women Training Programme for the winter of 2019/2020.
Speaking on the news, Women and Girl’s Manager at Lancashire Cricket, Jen Barden, said: “We’re delighted that Olivia has received this support from the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust.
“It can go a long way to helping young cricketers fulfil their potential and we’re all looking forward to seeing how she develops in the coming years.”