Shrubsole celebrates exam success

Anya Shrubsole is celebrating after a set of impressive exam results

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England’s most recent debutante Anya Shrubsole is celebrating after achieving two A*s and 9 As in her GCSEs.

The 16-year-old received the news alongside her parents just before a training session at Northamptonshire CCC where England are training ahead of three NatWest International Twenty20 matches against South Africa.

Shrubsole said: “I’m fairly pleased with my results. I expected to do better in a couple of subjects but overall I am satisfied with the grades I achieved.

“Combining cricket and studying wasn’t as hard as it could have been as I wasn’t in the full England squad at the time of revising.

“I managed to keep up with all my training and studies fairly easily and felt I got the work-cricket balance just right.

“Next year could be harder with the volume of cricket we have to play and the fact that A-Levels are harder than GCSEs, but I am well-prepared and have a fairly disciplined approach to my studies, so I’m not worrying about it too much.

“Now I can’t wait to get back out onto the cricket pitch after the rain we’ve had and play South Africa in the remaining Twenty20 games.”

Shrubsole achieved the A*s in PE and one of her dual science awards. The A grades were awarded in English language, English literature, Maths, Science, short course RS, short course IT, History, Geography and Food Technology.

Shrubsole’s success follows hot on the heels of team-mate Holly Colvin’s exam delight.

Colvin achieved four As at A-level after also successfully combining her studies with playing international cricket.

England play South Africa tomorrow at 2.30pm at the County Ground followed by a double-header of Twenty20 games on Saturday.

The first of these games begins at 10.45am and the second at 2.30pm, both at Wantage Road.