A WYCOMBE student has been chosen as the Under 17 Female Cricketer of the Year after a day out at Lord's.

Isa Guha, 16, was given the award after a superb year that included being Player of the Tournament at the Women's Under 19 European Cricket Tournament and bowling out a whole team.

Guha, who goes to Wycombe High School said she was pleased and surprised to receive the award after taking part in a day's coaching at the MCC Indoor Cricket School.

She said: "I was thrilled; I didn't stop smiling but I didn't think I would get it."

Guha, who has represented England at Under 17 and Under 19 level, becomes the fourth person to win the award and received her trophy from former cricketer Rachel Heyhoe-Flint.

The competition is an initiative by the MCC and The Lord's Taverners and organised by the ECB to help develop England's female cricketers.

It is now in its fourth year and has already seen one former winner of the competition go on to represent the national side.

Reg Horne, of MCC Indoor School, said: "Isa showed great ability and a love for the game. We wish her the best of luck and hope to see her playing for the national side very soon."

Last year, Guha played against Marlow Boys Under 14s and beat them single-handedly.

She said: "In the first over of their innings, I got five wickets. They only had six players because some of them got lost on their way. That was a good day for me."

Guha has played for both men's and women's teams.

She said: "I try harder with at the boys' clubs' level than with the women. I do get some looks from the boys when I play.

"I do try hard at women's level of course but more when I'm playing with the boys.

"I think I prefer playing with the women. It's good playing with men because they're stronger but it's much better with the women and the pitches are better.

Guha is known as a bowler but says her batting is pretty good.

She said: "It's not good enough for opening but I can slog a bit and I'm not too bad.

"I bat at number four for my club and county and for England I bat at number seven."

Guha is now setting her sights on this year.

She said: "This year, I've been getting into the development squad and I would like to play for England against New Zealand and India. That would be pretty cool."

February 28, 2002 23:30