Shrubsole and Watkins promote game

Anya Shrubsole, back row fourth right, and Aimee Watkins, front row fourth right, pose for the camera at Axminster Cricket Club

International stars Anya Shrubsole and Aimee Watkins are at the centre of a drive to get more women playing cricket ahead of the NatWest Women’s Series.

England bowler Shrubsole and New Zealand skipper Watkins visited Devon's Axminster Cricket Club to meet and greet female players before linking up with their respective team-mates.

And Shrubsole was delighted to visit the girls, although she did have half an eye on the upcoming series against the Whire Ferns.

“It is great to see the girls down here - the more girls that get involved the better. I hope they will enjoy coming along to one of our games this summer,” she said.

“Last year was so successful for us - we had a blip over the winter, but we are back to winning ways. I'm sure the Kiwis will be coming at us hard, so it should be an exciting summer. I’m looking forward to it.”

Watkins, who led New Zealand to the final in the recent Women's ICC World Twenty20, added: “I enjoy coaching and hope that the girls have enjoyed it too.

“I’m always encouraging women and girls to get involved in cricket. Playing England is always something to look forward to.”