Siblings' pride at Red Rose call-ups

LANCASHIRE LAURELS . . . Leo Matthews (15) and sister Zara (14) have been selected to play cricket for the county

CRICKETING siblings Leo and Zara Matthews will don the Red Rose with pride this summer.

While Zara continues to progress through the county system after first being chosen as a 10-year-old - she is now 14 - Leo has achieved Lancashire recognition at the third attempt after a successful trial.

The teenagers will both play for their respective under-15s teams at Old Trafford. They also represent home club Heyside and Didsbury.

Mum Helen said: "They are both very supportive of each other and equally very critical of each other!

"No one is more delighted than Zara, though, that Leo is playing for Lancashire."

Wicketkeeper-batsman Leo (15) has been picked for the county's development squad.

He started playing as an eight-year-old at Moorside, before switching to Heyside, where Phil and Jan Matthews - no relations - work tirelessly with the youth section.

RECORDED

While primarily playing under-15s and second-team for the Little Hey Street club - he has recorded several retirements on 50 for the juniors - he has also been given a chance to shine in the first XI under the guidance of skipper Ryan Barnes.

He first pulled on the gloves 12 month ago after being prompted by Mike Schofield, head coach at Didsbury. Heyside's Max Power has supported Leo in his development behind the stumps.

The combination of town team cricket - he represents Manchester - and club exploits has inspired him to push harder this season for county honours.

In his first game for the county against Roses rivals Yorkshire at Pudsey, he claimed two dismissals - a catch and a stumping - as well as scoring 13 runs.

Zara is seen as one of the leading lights at Lancashire.

Coached by former Lancashire, Notttingham and Surrey spinner Gary Keedy, she is making great strides through the ranks of the girls/women's teams. She is currently ranked No.2 behind her good friend and England slow bowler Sophie Ecclestone.

The turning point for Zara came last season when Australian international Lauren Smith joined Lancashire and Didsbury for the season.

FIXTURES

Smith calls Zara from Australia after each of her county fixtures to find out how she has got on on and what she needs to improve.

Performances with the ball this season include a superb five wickets for 22 runs haul against Nottinghamshire.