18-year-old hopes to make women’s world cup squad next year

A TEENAGE girl is a step closer to fulfilling her dream of playing for the England cricket squad after being selected to join the women’s academy training camp in India.

Raveena Laktharia, 18, who attends Swaminarayan School, in Brentfield Road, Neasden, will head to the sub-continent in April with one eye on the Women’s 20-20 World Cup in Sri Lanka next year.

Raveena, who plays for Middlesex women’s team, is from a family of cricketers with father Raj and grandfather Chimanlal both playing for Middlesex and Kenya respectively.

Raveena, who is also studying for her A levels, has played since she was ten and boasts 5 wickets for 24 runs over ten overs as her best achievement to date.

If she can replicate that sort of form she can expect her dreams come true.