FRAN WILSON received an early Christmas present this week with the news that she had made the 15-strong England Women’s Cricket squad for the tour of Australia later this month, writes Danny Hall.

The 19-year-old University of Bath student from Minety, who made her England debut on the recent trip to Sri Lanka when the tourists came home unbeaten, can’t wait for her next taste of international action.

“I got a glimpse of what it must have been like to be a part of the 2009 England team that were unbeatable,” said Fran.

“England are still one of the best teams in the world and it is really exciting news to get the call-up for Australia.”

Fran showed remarkable fortitude to bounce back after being stumped first ball on her full England debut.

But she finished the tour on a high with two quickfire knocks (17 runs off 21 balls and 16 not out off 15) in the final two T20 matches, as well as taking two fine catches which brought praise from her teammates.

“I tried not the think about my opening game and the girls were really helpful getting me through it,” she said.

“There is a really good atmosphere in the camp and I have met such a lot of nice people.

“When I took a diving catch on the boundary, the girls started to call me ‘mini Lydia Greenway’, who is acknowledged as one of the best fielders in women’s cricket.

“I was delighted with that and also to finish the series well. I’m usually a boundary-hitter, but the outfields were slow and I had to work hard for my runs. It proved to me that I could perform at that level.”

In addition to winning all three completed matches on the rain-affected tour, England were also celebrating a landmark for their skipper.

Charlotte Edwards became the most capped one-day international player in the history of the women’s game when turning out for her 142nd match during the tour.

Edwards also reserved praise for Wilson and fellow rookie Susie Rowe, who has also made the Ashes squad.

She said: “There were a few young players on this tour and I am really pleased they have taken their opportunities.”

Fran and the team fly out on December 28. Between January 5 and 25, England will play three one-day internationals, a five-match T20 international series and a four-day Test for the women’s Ashes.

The first and second T20 matches will be played directly before England’s men play Australia on January 12 and 14, at the Adelaide Oval and the MCG respectively.

Both of these matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.