THE sister of former England spin king Ashley Giles wants Herefordshire girls to give cricket a try.

Tracy Hodgson, whose brother is the England limited overs’ coach, will be training Herefordshire Under-11 county girls’ team tomorrow (Friday).

Tracy and cricket development officer Anna Robertson are preparing for their second girls’ squad session at Whitecross School.

Herefordshire Cricket’s player development manager, Glyn Harrhy, says girls cricket is growing in the county.

“We have had a constant flow of girls over the last year and a structure in place with the Chance to Shine programme in schools and the ASDA Kwik Cricket Festivals.

“We have talent identification, a two-day summer camp and then the girls are invited to Herefordshire county winter training.”

With an Ashes winner in the ranks, it’s hardly surprising that Tracy and her family are huge cricket fans.

“My siblings and I are all qualified coaches,” revealed Tracy, who passed her level one course in Hereford last year. My dad and my nephew are also qualified - there are six qualified cricket coaches in my family.” Tracy is proud of her brother Ashley, having landed the England national role and hopes to see him more often this summer.

“Ashley coached Warwickshire to the four-day County Championship title last year but he will be watching one-day matches this year,” said Tracy.

Tracy lives in Monmouth and is starting a new girls’ youth team with the former Marches League champions.