A YOUNG cricket star from Sidmouth is living her dream after being called up to represent her country in the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 squad.

Jodie Dibble has been included in the 15-player group that will travel to Bangladesh to compete in the tournament, which gets underway later this month.

The uncapped spin bowler, 19, says the achievement is the realisation of an ambition that began when she started playing the sport with Sidmouth’s under-11 boys at the age of eight - and was in the nets when a lot younger.

The former St John’s School student has overcome numerous injuries – including two operations on her shoulder – in recent years to compete on a global level.

Her delighted mum Liz said: “Words can’t express how proud she has made us feel, and I look forward to watching her hopefully walk out wearing the England shirt on TV when the games start on March 24.”

Jodie has played for Devon Ladies and has been in the national academy for the last three years. She also became the first female captain of the Taunton School’s cricket team.

Being selected for the full England squad has been her ‘ultimate goal’.

Jodie’s brother, Adam, is a full member of the Somerset cricket squad. Her dad Mike, who is chairman of Sidmouth Cricket Club, could not recall the last sportsperson from Sidmouth to represent their country at the top level.

“It’s fantastic,” he said. “She deserves it because she has worked so hard.”

Jodie and Warwickshire’s Rebecca Grundy have both been called into the England squad for the first time.

Commenting on the group, ECB head of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “Both Jodie and Rebecca have developed enormously over the last couple of years and they thoroughly deserve this opportunity.

“As young spinners, there is no better place in the world to ply your trade than the sub-continent and I hope that they enjoy and learn from the experience.”