Samantha Moore can’t wait to get stuck in after being named as Oxfordshire women’s captain.

The 21-year-old, who celebrates her birthday today, plays her club cricket for Abingdon Vale and has been part of the senior county set-up since she was 15.

The Dry Sandford resident is excited about the prospect and cannot wait for the season to get under way.

“It’s very exciting and a real honour,” she said.

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“There were three of us who put our names forward, and we were all interviewed by Darryl Woods (women’s head coach) and Joe Dale (Oxfordshire cricket development officer).

“Luckily, I was chosen so I am really pleased.”

Moore has been a member at Abingdon for 11 years and had experience of captaining sides at a young age when leading some of the club’s junior teams.

Last season she featured in several matches for the club’s 2nd XI in Division 5 of the Cherwell League and has played a big role for Oxford University’s women side while studying biological sciences at Worcester College.

She was due to captain the Dark Blues at Lord’s for the 50-over Varsity Match against Cambridge, only for the game to be washed out.

Moore, who is a pace bowler, is now hoping to help the women’s side continue their upward curve, and is looking forward to helping develop the batch of juniors hoping to make their mark.

“I suppose I’m a bit of a veteran now,” she laughed.

“Probably half the team are over 18 and the rest are youngsters coming through.

“It’s great to see the people come into the team and then progress.

“I will try to help them as much as possible.”

Moore has been impressed with the improvement in standard in women’s cricket over the years.

And the rise of the Oxfordshire which she will now lead, is no different.

“When I first started playing for the county side, it was just a group of people to play cricket with, it wasn’t really that serious at all.

“But that’s all changed now. The standard has got better.

“It is a lot harder to get into the county side now and the competitive side of it is what you want.”

Moore, who graduated last summer and is now working in a research laboratory hoping to go on and do a PhD, is relishing the new season.

“We have started indoor winter nets and our first match is in April so it won’t be too long before we properly get going,” she said.

“Hopefully the weather will be a bit warmer by then.

“I felt putting my name forward to be captain would hopefully benefit the team as well as myself, so fingers crossed that will be the case.”

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