SOMERSET cricket star Sophie Luff has once again been spending her winter playing cricket in Australia's summer season.

The Western Storm Captain has returned to represent Parramatta for the second year running and from all reports has been enjoying her time in the sun.

In her three 50-over matches to date she has scored over 120 runs at an average of 40.67.

Speaking to Somerset CCC website, she said: "It’s great to be back, it’s nice to be able to reconnect with the people that I got to know so well last year.

"They really looked after me and made the experience so brilliant that I was really keen to come back. It’s been nice to get back into the swing of things and play some cricket. The first game was rained off though, so I got quite a lot of stick for bringing the English weather with me!”

Luff said playing in Australia gives her a great opportunity to develop her game further.

“Coming over here gives me the opportunity to spend some time out in the middle, and at this stage of my career I think that’s what’s best for me if I want to continue to develop my game. I can work on things in match play and coming out here to do that seemed like the best fit," she said.

“I feel like I’m in a good place technically and I’m comfortable with where my game is at. This is about exploring what more there is in the locker. I feel like I need to test that out in game situations."

And she added that the opportunity to play overseas in the winter highlights just how far the women's game has come since she started playing.

“Having the opportunity to play overseas during the winter shows how far the women’s game has come," she said.

"Full time contracts mean that we’re professional cricketers all year round. Ultimately, our job is to just play cricket and although you can do plenty of work in the nets, you want to be out there playing the game, scoring runs and taking wickets."

Looking ahead to the 2024 season, Luff believes Western Storm are in for a big campaign.

“The group are as tight as I’ve ever known us, morale is really good and there’s a great atmosphere in the dressing room," she said.

"The girls have really knuckled down this winter and hopefully we can hit the ground running this summer.

"We just need a couple of wins and the confidence boost that will come from that will help to make this group believe that we’re good enough and belong at that level."