ABBY EVANS is the new Gloucestershire Women's captain.

The Bristol Phoenix player replaces club-mate Charlie Walker who has stepped down to concentrate on her role as a batsman.

Abby, who opens the batting, has established herself as a key player in the Gloucestershire side over the last few years.

She enjoyed a superb 2016 season, averaging 60.40 – the third highest in women’s county cricket behind international players Fran Wilson and Sara McGlashan. This included a century against Buckinghamshire in a T20 game.

She said: “It's an honour to have been selected as captain and I am very excited to get started in the role.

"I look forward to leading this young and very talented team and will enjoy being able to help them to develop and be successful."

Abby’s first game in charge will be a pre-season friendly against Devon at North Devon CC on April 8.

The team, who are sponsored by Montpelier Health Centre, will then face a Western Storm Development squad on April 22 at Chipping Sodbury before opening their County Championship campaign v Wiltshire on April 30 at Gloucester City Winget CC.