Somerset County Cricket Club is pleased to be able to announce the signing of the 20-year-old seamer Ellie Anderson on an initial three-year contract.

The right-armer joined the Central Sparks Academy in 2021 and was selected by Southern Brave for The Hundred in 2023. She was also part of the England Under 19 squad for the World Cup in the same year, finishing the tournament with eight wickets, including a best of five for 12 against the West Indies.

She joined Western Storm on loan during the 2024 season, taking 15 wickets across the formats.

After signing her contract, Ellie said: “It’s exciting to have my first full-time professional contract, and it will take a while to sink in that cricket is my job now. I feel like all my hard work over the last few years has paid off and now it’s my time.

“When I joined Western Storm on loan, I was made to feel really welcome and I was given the opportunity to play First XI cricket regularly for the first time. I felt that they put a lot of trust in me and therefore I felt a lot of loyalty to those involved with the team.

“It’s a special feeling to know that we are the first players of this new era and that we’re paving the way.”