Hot Huntingdonshire cricketing prospect Katherine Speed has been handed the chance to battle for a place in an England squad.

The 13 year-old, from Houghton & Wyton, is one of 39 girls from across the country to be selected for a England Women’s Development Programme summer competition to held at Shrewsbury School between August 10 and 14.

St Ivo School pupil Speed will play in a number of Twenty20 and 40-over matches during the five-day camp before the number of players is whittled down to 21 to form the England Under 15 Women’s winter training squad.

The all-rounder is making rapid progress in the game. She trains regularly with Essex and has impressed England selectors at a number of talent days.

She said: “I’m really excited to be given the opportunity of joining the England squad for the week.

“I just love playing cricket and I really can’t wait.

“I have had great support to get to this stage from Hunts and Essex and of course Houghton & Wyton at club level. Everyone has helped to support me in any way they can.”

Another local girl, Adelaide Walkling of Eaton Socon, is on stand-by for the event after taking part last year.

Speed has a hectic few weeks ahead as she has also been selected for a national Under 13 Girls representative side to take part in the annual Malvern Festival over the weekend of August 5/6.

Speed will be up against considerably older opponents with the Under 13 select side - picked through nominations from coaches at county level - due to face Under 17 county teams.

A blossoming female talent also impressed at local senior level at the weekend.

Emilee Steel, who has been a team-mate of Speed in the Hunts Under 15 side, took four wickets to help Needingworth 2nds to a vital victory in Division Four North of the Mr Cricket Cambs Junior League.

Steel claimed 4-35 from 10 overs to help secure a two-wicket win over City of Ely 2nds for a Needingworth side battling to avoid relegation.