Bowling the men over in top cricket league
CRICKETER Chloe Wallwork has smashed the record books for six by becoming the first woman to play alongside men in a top league’s 125-year history.
She turned out for the Walshaw first XI which competes in Lancashire’s oldest league, the Bolton Association.
Modest Chloe, 20, said: “I didn’t even know I was the first girl to play for 125 years until I was told about it.
“But growing up I was always the only girl to play cricket. The rest of the girls I knew were talking about boys.”
Chloe has played in Walshaw’s second team for four years and her outstanding performances as a bowler earned her a step up last weekend.
She took four wickets in 11 overs in her maiden first-team appearance against rival club Golborne. Chloe first picked up a bat and ball aged five, playing in the street with her brother Ryan, now 24.
She has since been on tour twice to South Africa with the women’s Lancashire county team, for which she was talent- scouted.
The sports-mad blonde admits she gets a mixed reaction from male opponents.
“When they see me they have a bit of a laugh but I’m used to that,” said Chloe, of Tottington, Bury.
“When I’m bowling they either try to slog me or block me because they don’t want to get out to a girl.”
Walshaw chairman David Leach said: “She a great girl, very competitive, and always gives the lads a tough time on the pitch.”