When Danielle Hazell was called up to the England women’s cricket squad this summer she became part of the best team in the world. Sports Writer Andy Richardson spoke to the Durham City all-rounder.

DANIELLE HAZELL is used to standing out on a cricket pitch.

As the only female player in the Durham Senior League, the Durham City all-rounder has become accustomed to competing in an almost exclusively male domain.

But, as she’s quick to point out: “I don’t get picked because I’m a girl; I get picked because I’m good enough and I’ve constantly had to prove myself at every level.”

And as part of the allconquering England Women’s squad that has just secured the ICC World Cup Twenty20 and retained the Ashes, the 21- year-old, from Waterhouses, near Durham, is emerging as one of the most exciting talents in the game.

“I was ten-years-old when I played cricket for the first time,” recalled the top-order bat and off-spinner.

“It was for Esh Winning, a mixed team, although I was the only girl. Ever since then I’ve really loved the game.

“I probably wouldn’t have reached this level if I hadn’t played in mixed teams alongside the boys. I enjoy the banter with the lads, it toughens you up and you learn quickly – you have to!

But if you’re a good enough player you get a game – it’s as simple as that.”

The ultimate recognition that she was good enough came this month when Hazell was selected for the full England women’s squad which went on to retain the Ashes after capturing the World Twenty20 trophy and a 4-0 whitewash of Australia in the Natwest Series.

The players were invited to a reception at Downing Street, where Prime Minister Gordon Brown paid tribute to their achievements. But Hazell prefers to focus on becoming a regular at international level.

“Being called up for the Ashes was a shock but I was so pleased. It’s a real honour and makes all of the hard work worthwhile.

“It was a fantastic experience and you can only become a better player by mixing with girls at international level.

“I’d like to think I’ve earned the call-up and I reckon I’ve a chance of being included in the England party that’s touring India and hopefully being part of next year’s World Cup Twenty20.”

Her versatility certainly counts in her favour, although Hazell is torn over which is her most powerful discipline.

“I’d say I was a batter, but some people who watch me reckon my strength is as a bowler – either way it should stand me in good stead.

“With Durham becoming a first-class county, interest has increased so much that when I go into schools now to talk to kids there is so much excitement about cricket – it’s brilliant,” said Hazell.

She cites the Cricket Foundation’s ‘Chance to Shine’ project as fundamental in giving youngsters an opportunity to experience cricket, therefore developing the next generation of players.

Hazell attended Deerness Valley School, Ushaw Moor, but her cricketing education came from her dad, Geoff, who played for Bearpark, and Kenny Marsh, her coach at Esh Winning both of whom she regards as “huge influences” on her career.

“Even my mother (Christine) gets dragged along to be scorer so it’s a bit of a family thing now,” said Hazell.

“My first memories of cricket aren’t watching the game on telly but seeing my dad play for Bearpark. I thought to myself – ‘I want to have a go at that’.”

As a member of the Durham Academy and boasting impressive coaching qualifications, it’s now Hazell’s job to pass on her skills to the next generation of players. As she points out: “I’m 21 now so I’m getting on a bit really, we always need new blood coming through.”

Overseeing Hazell’s work at grassroots level is Pauline Peel, the ECB Women’s Regional Cricket Manager for the North.

If there’s a hint of envy in Peel’s voice when she speaks about her colleague’s recent call-up to the England side it’s understandable, because when she started playing, around 30 years ago, she enjoyed few of the opportunities afforded today’s women cricketers.

Peel’s involvement in cricket also stems from watching her own father, Jimmy Wood, play for Ushaw Moor; inspiring her to eventually become a notable player for Durham.

Her husband Tom, who has turned out for, among other sides, Sacriston and Shotley Bridge, has guaranteed that cricket remains the dominant topic of conversation in the household.

This season, Peel was coaxed out of retirement to make her return to Durham Women’s Senior team. She is the veteran of the side with the next oldest player around 15 years her junior.

But it’s her work off the field, in administering the growth of the game, where her influence is most keenly felt as she ensures girls in the region don’t have to negotiate the kind of hurdles she faced when attempting to make her mark in a male-dominated sporting environment.

“It’s all about participation,” said Peel, who helps develop new clubs and new girls’ leagues. She also works with men’s clubs which want to start up women’s and girls’ sections, something she admits can still throw up some old-fashioned attitudes.

“All of the England Women’s team are more than capable of playing at a high level in the men’s game locally but there is still a reluctance at a lot of clubs to give girls a chance,” she noted.

“Ideally, we want girls to be competing against girls.

“There are some benefits in cases where girls compete in a boys’ side – they can find that the tough environment brings on their game and their technique can improve rapidly. But it can become more difficult after the age of 15, when boys’ physical strength creates an imbalance and makes it more difficult for girls who are coming into the sport for the first time.

“I’ve seen an awful lot of changes since I started playing and wish I’d had the advantages that someone like Danielle has benefited from.

The support the ECB now gives, and their talent ID programme, helps spot emerging players and nurture them to senior level.”

Peel hopes the next crop of emerging talent in the region can emulate Hazell’s trailblazing achievements. She identifies Lucy Pringle, who plays for the U15s at Willington, Rachel Petherick, a left-hand bat and spinner at Philidelphia, and Holly Evans, a tall fast bowler for Hartlepool U13s, as just three of the rising stars in the region.

“The women’s game goes from strength to strength – we just have to make sure it carries on that way.”