Scoring 100 for your county is a remarkable achievement; scoring 100 not out for your county on your first appearance as Captain even more so. But to achieve all this at just 11 years of age is incredible.
Source: Lancashire Cricket Board
Liberty Heap-Gibbons
Stand up Liberty Heap-Gibbons and take a bow!
I came across this story on-line when I saw the tweet: Mum tell Kate Cross and Charlotte Edwards I scored my first century for Lancashire. I love the fact that Liberty says her ‘first’ century and that her immediate reaction was to tell her cricketing heroes of her achievement.
The excitement all took place during Lancashire U11s match against Staffordshire U11s, Lancs batted first and notched up 197, with Liberty retiring on 100 not out, off 78 balls and including 15 fours. Unfortunately Staffordshire could only muster 77 in reply, so Liberty also won her first match as captain of Lancashire U11s. I’m sure this match will linger, not only her memory but also that of her proud parents, for a very long time.
Liberty is the youngest girl at the Lancashire Cricket Board to score a county century.
Source: Lancashire Cricket Board
A very happy Liberty
Quote from Jennifer Laycock, Lancashire Cricket Board Women and Girls Cricket Development Officer: “Libby has excelled in every game she has played, she has confidence in her skills and does them well. She has developed a lot over the past 12 months and now has an ability to judge length and execute the appropriate shot. Libby hits the ball hard and with purpose.”
“The women’s game at all levels is moving forward and at Lancashire we have had an U11s team for the past few years, many of the girls involved in this team have gone on to the next level, including Players in the England Academy, England Development U19 and U15s. We feel getting the game skills into the girls at a young age, learning about fielding, batting a length of time and bowling good lines are invaluable.”
“We hope that Libby goes on to great things but at the moment we want her to enjoy her cricket, progress at the pace she needs to and learn the game.”
It looks as if Liberty has the right support behind her to enable her to develop well and to enjoy her cricket – we at 4 the Love of Sport wish her very well and look forward to seeing her progress.
