HOWZAT for a special surprise?

Seven-year-old superfan Amelia Ekka was bowled over after receiving a visit from England ladies’ cricketer Mady Viliers.

The off-break bowler made a surprise visit to Amelia’s colts session at West Mersea Cricket Club.

She was joined by Essex player Kelly Castle, who also plays for Sunrisers - the women’s team that represents London and the East region.

Also making the trip was Emma Whiteman, cricket operations executive at Sunrisers.

The trip was arranged by Graham Pryke, cricket development manager at Essex County Cricket Club.

He said: “Now and then, if you’re lucky, special things happen that make you feel proud to be part of cricket.

“It came to my attention that Amelia is a real superfan of Mady.

Amelia Ekka

Young talent - Amelia Ekka

“She spends her computer time watching clips of her in action to help her improve her own game and she’s got a notebook with pages of questions to ask, should they ever meet.”

Mr Pryke spoke to his boss, Dan Feist, head of cricket operations at Essex, who has close contacts with both the England ladies’ team and the Sunrisers.

“Once Mady was made aware of Amelia, she was only too pleased to offer to meet her and the look on the girls’ faces was a real picture,” added Mr Pryke.

“Despite it being very wet, we enjoyed a socially-distant morning together and had a quiz about cricket.

“All the guests joined teams and it was followed by a Q&A.

“Amelia was able to ask some of the question she had written in her book.”

Mersea Island School pupil Amelia is hoping to get two guinea pigs for her birthday, on Saturday.

She plans to name one Mady and one Heather, after England captain Heather Knight.

The morning was capped off with an exchange of shirts.

The Sunrisers will be in action at the County Ground, in Chelmsford, on May 29 (11am), July 2 and September 12.

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