England cricketer Susie Rowe is one of two Kent players who have been awarded full-time contracts under the MCC Women’s Young Cricketers programme.

Rowe (pictured), from Canterbury, is included along with Kent team-mate Tammy Beaumont in a 14-strong squad who will be based at Lord’s throughout the summer.

Each player will receive a bespoke programme which will address their technical, tactical, psychological and physical development. They will also take part in matches against boys’ county sides and schoolboy teams.

Rowe, who recently gave up her international hockey career to concentrate on cricket, is on tour with the England women’s team in New Zealand.