FOR the first time ever Somerset County Cricket Club will be fielding a fully professional women’s team, which will be captained by Sophie Luff.

How did Sophie feel about being appointed to lead the side? “I will have a great sense of pride to be able to lead out Somerset Women for their first match,” she said.

"I feel very connected to the club - it’s part of my DNA and feel very invested in everything that this club is all about.

To be the first women’s captain here in the professional era is very special. “

What was Sophie hoping for in this first season?“ I guess we want to be in the mix for qualification and it’s really exciting now that in the Vitality Blast that the top four can qualify and there will be two semi finals which gives a bit more of a chance to have a sniff.”

She added: “We want to be playing as entertaining cricket here as we can so we get as many people as possible coming to watch Somerset Women.

”One club, two teams both with the same aim to lift trophies for Somerset CCC in 2025.”

Somerset Men had a three day home warm up match against Gloucestershire before their opening championship match against Worcestershire beginning in Taunton on Friday, 4th April.

Somerset Women flew out to the UAE on Thursday to complete their final pre-season training and open their season with an away match against Surrey on April 23rd before returning home to host Lancashire in a 50 over match on Sunday, 27th April.

Meanwhile, members of the local and national press turned out in force to attend Somerset CCC’s pre-season Media Day at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton, last week.