GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S girl cricketers are benefitting from the expertise of England international Fran Wilson this winter.

The Middlesex batter – one of 19 players centrally contracted by the ECB – is coaching the county U11s and U13s.

And the former Somerset player who is originally from Minety says she is loving passing on her knowledge to the next generation.

Wilson said: “It has been fantastic to work with Gloucestershire, the girls have been really enthusiastic – even when it comes to helping tidy up at the end of the session!

“The U11s are one of the most energetic and confident groups I have worked with," she said.

"They are a really strong squad and there are some very good individual players in there too.

“I have really enjoyed it and I hope I can continue to work with both squads in the summer.”

Fran, 24, has won seven caps for England Women. She passed her Level 3 Head Coach qualification in October last year and also completed a Masters degree and Sport and Exercise Nutrition.

She currently trains with England twice a week at the ECB National Performance Centre in Loughborough. And she says her experiences as a player have had a big influence on her coaching.

She said: “Whatever we have done on a Thursday or Friday at Loughborough normally finds its way into my session the next week in some way or another.

“It is amazing how with just a few adaptations you can turn an England practice into one that is suitable for Under 11s and Under 13s.

“I hope my experiences as a player come through in my coaching – even though I don’t think the girls know who I am or who I play for!”

Fran learned her cricket at Bath CC where her coaches included Gloucestershire Cricket Board’s (GCB) clubs and programmes officer Lisa Pagett.

For the winter programme she is working alongside U 11 coach Pete Lamb and U13 manager Charlie Walker.

GCB head of performance Tim Hancock said Fran’s involvement was a real boost for Gloucestershire’s young players.

He said: “It is fantastic to have such a positive role model for our young female cricketers. Having met Fran what shone through was her passion for the game and for developing young talent.

“We are very lucky to have her on the programme.”