THREE girls from Devon are in the Western Storm Development squad training together during the winter.

Stephanie Hutchins (Yelverton), Evie Pitman (Yelverton) and Daisy Meadowcroft (Filleigh) made it through the initial selection process into the 114-strong squad.

The senior side, supported by Somerset, Gloucestershire and the University of Exeter, had an impressive maiden season in the Kia Women’s T20 Super League, finishing runners-up to Southern Vipers.

A development squad was created at the end of the season to ensure the best talent in Storm’s catchment area is nurtured.

Thirty players from Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Gloucestershire and Wales were nominated to attend a talent observation day where they were put through their paces by the Western Storm coaches, and ECB scouts.

The whittled-down squad has have met on a regular basis since it was formed, most recently at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton.

Lisa Paget, the Western Storm general manager, said: “The 14 players selected for the programme all have real potential and could well go on and develop in to cricketers who will play for the Western Storm or be involved in ECB programmes in the future.”

Paget said the training days will move around the South West and be varied in content.

“As well numerous training days, which will be spread across the region to include the Cooper Associates County Ground, the Brightside County Ground and the University of Exeter, there are various other elements to the initiative in place in order to help these players to develop in the best way that they can,” said Paget.

"There will be strength and conditioning support, nutritional advice plus work in to the psychology of the sport. 

“It’s not just about them developing as cricketers, it’s about helping them to develop as people.”