After promotion last season there will be new challenges ahead this summer for the Women’s 2nd XI. We catch up with captain Angela Green to get her thoughts on last year’s success and plans for the season ahead.

Last summer was a huge success for our women’s sides. What were your memories from a personal and team perspective?
On an individual basis I think the standout memories were Coco Thomas’ 61 not out against Galleywood and Jamie Armes making her first ever half century (55) away against East Anglian Veterans. For me, leading the team to the top of Division 3 and securing promotion in our first season was obviously a real highlight.

After last year’s successes does that set higher expectations for the season ahead?
This season will certainly be a challenge for the 2nd XI in Division 2. A lot of our junior players will likely move into the 1s meaning we will be bringing through a new squad of girls who will be playing longer format cricket for the first time.

Are there any games you will be particularly looking forward to this season?
I’m looking forward to playing against Orsett and Thurrock and High Roding again as our squads started out at similar times. With the 1st XI in Division 1 and the 2nd XI in Division 3 last season we didn’t get to play them at all, so it will be a good test of our abilities to face them once again.

With no outdoor cricket over the winter, what have you done to fill your time?
We’ve kept ourselves busy with indoor training at Ockendon and we took part in the Chelmsford Indoor League (Division 1) where we finished mid-table.

How important will the development of our younger players be this summer, as the women’s section continues to grow and move forwards?
Our younger players are crucial to the development of the women’s section. Getting them exposure to the 30 and 40 over fixtures and building their confidence in the senior women’s games will only strengthen the squads we have. Who knows, next year we may even have three sides in the Essex Women’s Premier League………………