AFTER being named player of the series in New Zealand, international women's cricketer Anya Shrubsole has turned her focus to Somerset CCC and the challenge which awaits them.

Somerset were promoted into division one last season and the 20-year-old isn’t daunted by the thought of playing in the top league believing they will hold their own against the country’s elite.

She said: “I believe we will be very competitive this year with a number of teams of equal ability.

“There is quite a big jump in standard to the top sides in division one such as Kent and Sussex, but the rest are definitely within our reach.

“The squad is looking forward to the new challenge. We had a disappointing second half of the season last year and it is something we are looking to put right.

“We have trained really hard. With people living across the country it’s sometimes hard to get everyone together, but we have managed to do it.”

Somerset finished third in division two last season behind Essex and Surrey and were promoted due to the change in layout of the County Championship. Divisions one to three have increased from six to nine teams and the division five sections have been scrapped.

The England seamer believes the new format will have a huge impact on the cricket played on the day.

She said: "Playing each side only once you don’t get a chance to rectify any mistakes, so it is vitally important to hit the ground running from day one.

“It may have an impact on who wins and gets relegated, but we won’t be able to judge until we have played the new format.”

Somerset start their campaign at home against Surrey who also being newly promoted face the same challenge as themselves. The last three games of the season are also at home and Shrubsole sees this as a great opportunity to start and finish the year in the best way possible.

She explained: “It’s massively important to get a good start. To get a win in the first game can fill you with confidence and set you up for the season.

“It’s always good to play at home especially with the new format, so to have the last three games at home may play into our hands. Having said that we are capable of winning anywhere, so it’s important that we approach each game with that mindset.”

Even though it’s a new challenge she feels they will be well prepared and there won’t be too many shocks for her or her teammates.

she added: “We know quite a lot about the other counties, having played against them in recent years so there won’t be too many surprises. We know pretty much what players we are going to be playing against so we can plan effectively.

“Sussex and Kent are the two strongest teams in the division so I would expect one of them to win the league. If I had to say one, it would be Kent.”

Shrubsole knows Kent and England’s captain Charlotte Edwards well, having made her international debut back in August 2008. The Somerset seamer has just returned from international duty in New Zealand where she was named player of the series on a tour which England won 7-0.

In the third twenty20 fixture she achieved figures of 5-11 off 4 overs, the third best figures in women’s international statistics and also took four wickets in three games in the 50 over version. The 20 year old is hoping to take this form and confidence into the county arena.

She continued: “It went very well for both the team and myself. It was very pleasing to be named player of the series but it was most pleasing to be able to contribute well to a very good tour.

“It gives me a lot of confidence going into the summer. Hopefully I can continue my performances for England in New Zealand, for Somerset and help contribute to a successful season.”