Scotland Under 19s captain Katherine Fraser is hoping to utilise the experience of players like Hollie Armitage, Katie Levick and Lauren Winfield-Hill as she bids to progress her game whilst with the Northern Diamonds.
Fraser, 18, has only recently signed terms with the Diamonds, who she has been training with on and off for approximately the last year.
The off-spinning all-rounder made her debut in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy win over Sunrisers at Chelmsford last Monday and featured again in Saturday’s defeat to the Blaze at Durham.
Fraser is a highly-rated teenager with, seemingly, talent and determination in equal measure.
Her first summer in Diamonds colours will be somewhat of a balancing act given she is finishing off her college studies in Edinburgh alongside also playing international cricket.
“My international fixtures will take priority, but when I’m not there I will be available for the Diamonds,” she said, ahead of Wednesday’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy clash with South East Stars at Scarborough, starting at 10.30am.
“I’m also in the process of finishing off my exams at school, but once I’ve done that I’ll be in the best place possible.”
Fraser says signing to play regional cricket south of the border “definitely has” come at a good time in her career – one which saw her make a senior international debut aged just 14.
“I’ve been in and around the group for around about a year now, training with them,” she continued. “It’s been good exposure to this level, being in team meetings and learning from different players and coaches. I’m trying to put it into practice now in the games.
“I also spent a bit of time with the Northern Superchargers last summer, which has also helped – it’s quite a similar group. I know most of the girls and get along with everyone, which is great.”
Described as “a very composed cricketer for her age” by compatriot and Diamonds assistant coach Kyle Coetzer, Fraser’s involvement in her first two regional appearances has been limited.
She didn’t bowl against the Blaze at Durham, for example, as the hosts were only defending a target of 63 and fellow spinners Chloe Tryon and Katie Levick were taking wickets.
But there were definite signs of encouragement in the Sunrisers game when she bowled four overs for 14 and was there at the end of the 158 chase with three not out.
More to come, without doubt. And if that can come against the Stars at North Marine Road on Wednesday, in the final game of this early summer 50-over block, that would be ideal as the Diamonds are aiming to bounce back from that weekend Blaze defeat – their second in four matches.
Fraser’s off-spin is the most advanced skill in her game at present, and it is one she is clearly keen on developing. But her batting is also a route to success.
“If someone had have told me a few years ago that I’d be batting at seven for the Diamonds, I wouldn’t have believed them,” she said. “I’m just trying to learn off the likes of Lauren and Hollie. It’s great to have them here.
“With my bowling, Lev has lots of experience, and Chloe as well. It’s about talking to them and picking up tactical things.
“With the girls having that experience of winning, that will be big for my development. Hopefully I can bring a bit of that back to Scotland. I’m really looking forward to the summer.”
The RHFT champions have had a mixed start to the season, winning two and losing two. They sit fourth in the table, seven points behind early leaders the Blaze.
Wednesday’s opponents the Stars sit second in the table having won three of their four games so far. New signing Paige Scholfield, from the Vipers, has already scored two centuries. England youngster Alice Capsey is also likely to feature.
Captain Hollie Armitage added: “South East Stars are a fantastic unit with a lot of quality players in their side. But we’re hopeful we can bounce back.
“We’re a good unit too, and our batting line-up hasn’t quite fired yet. We saw a glimpse of that in the first game, but we’ve not all clicked together as a unit. When we do that, we’re going to be a hard side to beat.”
Squad
Armitage, Dobson, Duckworth, Fraser, Glen, Heath, Kalis, Levick, Scott, Tryon, Turner, Winfield-Hill, Woolston.
Attending the fixture at Scarborough
If you are planning to attend the game at North Marine Road, tickets are available at the main gate (only the main gate will be open for this game) for purchase on the day at £8 and £3 for concessions. For more information, visit the Scarborough website via the below link: