YOUNG cricketer Savannah Cannon has dreams of making it pro and playing for the England team - and she’s certainly going in the right direction.
Barnsley has a rich history in the cricketing world - from Dickie Bird to Katherine Sciver-Brunt, the town has certainly left its mark on the sport.
And 15-year-old Savannah from Gawber is hoping to follow in their footsteps.
She currently plays for Higham Cricket Club and always has the sport on her mind.
Her dad, 42-year-old Paul Wroe, told the Chronicle: “She starting playing cricket with the All Stars when she was about six or seven years old because there were no junior teams at that point.
“She’s really keen to get involved with everything.
“She plays loads and she’s put a lot of time into it.
“At school they’ve just had their work experience chats about what they want to do when they’re older, she says that she wants to be a professional cricketer.
“She jokes that if she doesn’t make it to the England team then she’ll be a police officer.
“It’d be a dream come true for her to turn professional.”
Savannah and her dad hit the headlines last year as they were the opening pair in a development match held at the ground.
And after playing a number of times for the men’s team last season, she made her first appearance of this season in a huge win against Denby Cricket Club’s Sunday first team.
She’s also recently been selected to represent South Yorkshire this year.
Paul said: “Last year we opened the batting together and that was a really proud moment.
“That was her first adult game and she played another couple of times after that.
“Last Sunday she came in in the second over when we had no runs.
“She was number three at the crease and luckily I was still in there - we were chasing 235 runs which was a massive score.
“We managed to put together a massive partnership of 120 runs.
“I couldn’t believe it.
“I’ve played cricket my entire life and it’s always a big thing whenever you reach a partnership of 50, never mind 100.
“To do that with your child was such a proud moment.
“I had the hairs standing up on my back.”
Savannah’s cricketing exploits have earned her a nomination in this year’s Young Champions awards.
“I’m so proud of her,” he added.
“She’s helping out with the coaching as well.
“She wants to do whatever she can.”
