TORQUAY cricketer Ellie Fielding is looking to lead her team out at Lord's next season after being named captain-elect at Cambridge University.

Ellie, who is 19 and went up to Cambridge after leaving Torquay Girls' Grammar School, has got a taste for the biggest stage in world cricket after two recent appearances on the Nursery Ground.

Playing for an MCC Universities XI, Fielding was on the losing side against national champions Loughborough University.

Just days later the archaeology and anthropology student was back at Lord's to play for Cambridge in the Varsity game against Oxford. The day went well for Fielding as she was leading wicket-taker with three for 36 and her team won comfortably.

While Fielding was playing on the Nursery Ground, the men were playing on the main pitch.

Having learned she is going to be ladies' captain next season, Fielding is hoping the Lord's authorities can be persuaded to let her team play on the hallowed turf as well.

"Playing on the Nursery Ground was a tremendous experience and something I was very lucky to do," said Fielding.

"After our match we went back into the Long Room in the pavilion with our opposition and both the boys' teams were in there as well.

"Women have played at Lord's before and I would hope MCC could be persuaded to allow the ladies' Varsity match to be played on the main ground as well. As captain it would be such an honour to take the team out."

Ladies cricket is a serious business these days with the Cambridge girls preparing just like the male counterparts for their big game.

"After the game against Loughborough on Monday it was straight back to Cambridge for the rest of the week to train for the Varsity match, then back to Lord's on Saturday," said Fielding.

"It was the highlight of a busy season as we have also won our university league and will be promoted into the Premier League next season, where Loughborough are now.

"The side that played Loughborough at Lord's was the best of the rest, but the best beat us easily."

Fielding is home for the rest of the summer and will resume playing for Torquay.

In previous seasons Fielding has been a regular in the Devon county sides through the youth age groups, but she isn't expecting the call this season.

"The season is more than halfway over and the squads are pretty settled now," said Fielding. "It would be unfair to leave someone out to bring me in, but if they need me to help out I would be glad to."