SOPHIE Luff has been named as captain of the first ever professional Somerset women’s team.

The 31-year-old top order batter was born in Taunton but grew up in Lympsham in the north of Somerset where she played men’s cricket for her local village alongside her dad and brother Jack.

Sophie played her way through the Somerset age groups before making her debut for Somerset Women in 2009. She has featured in 74 List A matches for the club, scoring 2330 runs at an average of 43.14 with a highest score of 138 not out. She has also played in 68 T20 matches, scoring 1675 runs at an average of 35.63. She captained the side between 2017 and 2022.

The former England Academy, Development and Under 19 international, who played her club cricket for Bath, was an ever present for Western Storm and was named captain in 2020.

She was the first player to reach 100 appearances for Storm and during that time scored over 1760 runs in List A cricket at an average of 50.54, with a best of 157 not out. Her T20 record for Storm was equally impressive, with her 54 innings yielding over 850 runs at an average of 25.90 and a best of 78.

Sophie has also represented Welsh Fire, London Spirit and Southern Brave in The Hundred.

Talking about her appointment as captain of Somerset, Sophie said: “It feels like I’ve really come home this winter. I’m excited to be leading such a great group of girls, and to be able to do this at my home club and to become the first ever professional captain gives me an unbelievable sense of achievement and fills me with pride.

“Somerset County Cricket Club means an awful lot to me. I used to come here when I was young and watch the likes of Marcus Trescothick, and it’s where I fell in love with the game. I’ve been involved with the club for a very long time and this group has got the opportunity to set the standards for how we want Somerset Women to play.

“This Club has a tremendous history and has had some incredible captains over the years. To have my name on that list is incredibly special and is a real privilege.”

Somerset Women head coach Trevor Griffin believes that his new skipper is the natural choice.

“Sophie has proved during the course of her career that she is a genuine leader, both on and off the field,” he said. “She has the respect of everyone in the dressing room and is a model professional. Her wealth of experience will prove invaluable alongside her outstanding understanding of the game.

“Sophie is passionate about cricket and passionate about this club. Her genuine understanding of what it means to represent Somerset means that she will lead by example every time she takes to the field.”

SCCC Director of Cricket, Andy Hurry added: “Sophie is very much a part of the DNA of women’s cricket in the region. She is an inspiration to her teammates and a role model for young cricketers across the South West. Her tenacity and will to win are second to none, and she possesses an abundance of the necessary traits required to be a successful captain and leader.”