Loughton all-rounder called up by national squad (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Loughton all-rounder called up by national squad

5:19pm Wednesday 8th September 2010 in

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LOUGHTON and Essex all-rounder Catherine Dalton has been called up to the full England Academy at Loughborough this winter after a stunning cricket season – just a year after considering giving up the sport altogether.

The talented 17-year-old was at a low ebb and felt as if she was treading water with her game last year, but after teaming up with coach Ian Pont, her game has been taken to the next level, to the point that she finished the recent campaign top of the National ECB Under-17 Championship batting standings, averaging over 114.

Her performances, which also included two unbeaten knocks in the 130s, also earned her the title of Essex Women’s Player of the Year.

Dalton said: “It was less than a year ago that I had considered giving up cricket altogether. It wasn’t going well and I didn’t seem to be making any progress. But after meeting my current coach Ian Pont my game completely changed. He helped me structure a rebuild of my bowling action and alter both my style and skill levels of batting.”

Dalton will join the country’s brightest cricketing prospects for sessions at Loughborough during October, December, January and March, with a High Performance Training Camp to the Global Cricket School in India also scheduled ahead of the 2011 season.

Despite her batting prowess, it is her bowling which is catching the eye of the national coaches.

Dalton’s coach Pont added: “We are developing her speed and accuracy still so plan to cement those changes soon. Catherine doesn’t let anything get in her way and this is another step in her development but it’s a long road.”