NICK Denning, the former Berkshire bowler who has been coaching the county women’s team, has been announced as the head coach of the new Hampshire-based Women’s Cricket Super League team.

Berkshire are one of the participating partners in the franchise and Denning said: “It’s very exciting. New challenges get me out of bed in the morning, so I’m really looking forward to getting started.

“The biggest challenge will be getting a group of players who are used to being rivals, to gel together on a cricket pitch.

“Setting goals at this early stage is quite difficult, but the ultimate target will be to make it to finals day and then build on that for the following year.”

Denning – who will work closely alongside General Manager Bobby Parks – is familiar with Hampshire Cricket having spent three years in the club’s youth set-up before spending a year in county cricket with Essex.

His new charges will be one of the six teams competing in the inaugural Women’s Cricket Super League.

The competition will start this summer with the Ageas Bowl based team competing in a Twenty20 event against the other five teams.

l EVERSLEY Cricket Club will host Hampshire in a Twenty20 match at Cross Green on Friday, June 10.

The game will be part of of Zimbabwean all-rounder Sean Ervine’s benefit year.

l WELLINGTON College student Sam Curran has been in fine form to help England Under 19s into the quarter finals of the World Cup in Bangladesh.

The 17-year-old claimed figures of 3-22 as his side thumped Fiji in their opening Group C game, before hitting 39 from 36 balls and taking 2-23 in another victory against West Indies.

The Surrey star then smashed 32 from 16 balls and also picked up a wicket as England beat Zimbabwe to ensure they top their pool.

England will play Sri Lanka in the last eight on Sunday.