20 years ago to see a woman playing in the Somerset Cricket League was something of a rarity.

Now however there is an increasing number of women and girls playing regularly in the league on a Saturday afternoon.

The recent Somerset Cricket League Division Three match between Taunton Deane Third XI and Middlezoy, that was played at Blagdon Hill CC, featured Madi Cooper opening the batting for the hosts against opening bowler Joleigh Roberts.

Madi and Joleigh both play women’s cricket regularly, but is this the first time in a Somerset Cricket League match that two women have faced each other as opening batter and bowler?

In the match, Middlezoy batted first and scored 279 for five from their 40 overs, of which opener Nathan Barnard made 61, sharing a partnership with Ben Pomeroy who hit 70 while Taylor Flitton scored 49.

For the Deane, Cole Norman was the pick of the bowlers taking two for 45 from eight overs.

When Deane replied, Madi opening the batting shared a good first wicket partnership with Paul Goss, before she was stumped by Nat Borwn off Flitton for 24, while Goss scored 32.

Later in the innings, Xander Chilcott made 27 but it wasn’t enough to prevent Deane being all out for 143 in 34 overs, giving the visitors victory by 136 runs.

For Middlezoy James Wanliss ended with four wickets for 31 from his eight overs, while on this occasion Joleigh who opened the bowling was wicketless.