NANCY Mitchell has achieved a rare feat in Southend & EMT cricket club’s history by being named skipper of her side.

Nancy captained the under 11 team against Orsett.

And Southend youth coach Scott Elliott felt Nancy fully deserved the honour.

“Nancy has done really well and she’s worked hard too,” said Scott.

“She’s in the Essex pathway for her age and she was captain on merit.

“Nancy was the most experienced player in the team and she definitely deserved to be captain.”

Nancy has been playing cricket for Southend & EMT for the past four seasons.

But the club, which was first formed in 1874 before merging with Ekco Monarchs and Trojans in 2010 has had very few female captains down the years.

“Louise Bunce played for us in 2010 or 2011 and we’re not sure if she was ever captain because we don’t have the records but she’s the only one who might have done it before,” said Scott.

“Nancy is therefore the first or second female player to captain a team here and it’s great.

“She’s also on the Essex pathway now too.”

But plenty of other female players are now also enjoying their cricket with Southend.

“We’ve got a lot of girls coming through now which is good,” said Scott.

“They play in the boys’ team all the way up. One or two clubs have designated lady teams but I think most are happy to be playing in the boys’ games now.”