BUDDING cricketer Jodie Dibble has been selected for the England women’s academy cricket tour of South Africa in April.

Jodie, 17, whose brother Adam plays for Somerset CCC, is in the squad to play three Twenty20 matches and three 50-over games against the South Africa national women’s team.

Jodie is the youngest player in the squad, having previously captained England U-17s in 2010 and then attended a training camp in India last year.

And the Taunton School student said: "This is a great opportunity to play an international side in their own country and most importantly gain experience of international cricket.

"Women's cricket has recently become a professional sport and so it’s a great time to be involved in the England system with potential pathways to the top."

ECB head of England women’s cricket Clare Connor added: “This tour represents a significant first in the women’s game, where essentially an A side has the opportunity to play a series of matches against full international opposition.

"As such, our players will experience the pressure of international cricket and will be able to gauge where they need to improve to enhance their chances of breaking in to the full England women’s squad.”

The England women’s academy will be based in Potchefstroom from April 6 to 23.