Lancashire Academy starlet Kathryn Cross, daughter of former Shakers striker David Cross, has been selected to represent the North of England in the ECB's Super Fours Tournament.

The Super Fours is a forum where the best 48 female players in England compete in a series of Twenty20 and limited over matches to push for selection for England.

The tournament's format was devised in 2001 and aims to bridge the gap between women's domestic cricket and the international arena.

Kathryn, aged 15, will be the youngest player representing the "Sapphires" - the team made up of elite players from the North.

Lancashire's Academy Director, John Stanworth said: "Kathryn's selection is recognition of her performances last year and the enormous potential she continues to show.

"It is also reward for the entire club, who four years ago formed the Academy whose aim was to identify and coach the next Lancashire and England representatives.

"Kathryn was spotted three seasons ago by the Lancashire Cricket Board, whose coaches worked closely with her to ensure she had the skills and attributes to gain selection in the Lancashire Academy.

"Kathryn achieved this target in November, 2006, and in doing so, became the first female to be giving a place - hopefully the first of many."