Balancing bat, ball and studies is a challenge for the 18-year-old Bears Women all-rounder, Amu Surenkumar, but there’s no stopping the squad’s youngest player who has a huge future in front of her

Cricket has always been in the blood of Amu Surenkumar – from the very early days as a small child playing bat and ball in the garden with her dad through to her realising her dream of becoming a professional cricketer for Warwickshire.

The youngest member of the Bears Women squad is looking forward to the challenges ahead by making a major contribution with bat and ball to the team’s success this season after making her debut at Edgbaston last month.

Despite having only just turned 18, Amu knows all about facing challenges and overcoming them. As a 10-year-old fledgling bowler, she suffered a stress fracture to her back. But she managed to turn the fact her bowling was temporarily limited into a positive as it meant she spent more time practising her batting. And that allowed her to develop into the all-rounder she has become today.

WORLD CUP

There was also the challenge of being a girl growing up in what until relatively recent years was a predominately boys’ sport. That has all changed now, but Amu admits it was probably the hardest thing she had to overcome as she pursued her dreams as a young teenager.

Amu underlined her promise alongside fellow Bear Davina Perrin with a strong showing at the Women’s Under-19s World Cup at the turn of the year. Taking three wickets for just 17 runs proved crucial in securing England’s group stage win against Pakistan U19s as she dismissed both openers.

That game was played in Johor, Malaysia and the following month Amu was back in class for her A-Levels in History, Politics and Economics. “Balancing school and cricket has certainly kept me busy, especially since I’m in my final year,” she said. “However, being a boarder at Rugby School does help and they have been very supportive, allowing me time to train and play, as have the Bears in giving me additional study time.

BRILLIANT BEARS

“The World Cup in Malaysia was amazing, a great experience and an opportunity to test myself against the best up-and-coming players in the world. I’m happy with how I performed. I’ve learned things and benefited from some excellent coaching, things I can bring back with me to the Bears. I will be doing whatever I can to help the team have a good first season.”

Amu was part of Sunrisers’ Academy from 2021-23 before making her senior debut in July 2023 and signing for Bears Women last year. “I’ve loved being a Bear so far,” added Amu, who plans to study law at university alongside her cricket commitments. “The team has a great group of girls, and it has created a really fun atmosphere to be a part of.

“There is a big ethos driven by the coaches to ensure that sessions are done with a purpose so that made pre-season super productive, and I am eager to get stuck into the season. It’s a new team with a lot of great players, so it’ll be about finding my role within the squad and performing to the best of my abilities.”