SOMERSET Women’s overseas player Australian batter Anika Learoyd has been with the club since mid April, but in that short space of time has found things very much to her liking as she explained:

“It’s been great being here at Somerset. The group has been really welcoming and the staff have done everything in their power to make me feel at home. It’s just been a really pleasant experience so far and I am really enjoying Taunton it’s a great little spot.”

“I grew up about six hours north of Sydney near Coffs Harbour, a little country town located right on the beach, so Taunton has a bit of similar feeling in that it’s not a huge city which is really nice - I feel I can settle in without there being a million other people about.”

How does Anika come to find herself at Somerset? “I have played against Erin and she has coached a couple of the opposition teams that I have played against - but I also had the pleasure of playing under her in an Australian A series which was good fun

“I also ran into Sophie Luff a couple of years ago when she was playing in Australia and she seemed incredibly passionate about this county and everything that Somerset stands for so it was a bit of a no brainer when she got on the phone to me.”

How has Anika found playing cricket for Somerset? “This is my first time playing cricket over here in England, and if I’m honest it does feel different. The outfields are a lot quicker and the bounce is different as well, so for me it’s about getting used to the conditions and reading the game differently here - it’s been a cool challenge.

“One of the biggest differences is the amount of games you play here - it’s a lot more than we get at home so that’s a big factor. It’s hard to compare because it feels like 90% of our year is spent training whereas here all I have done is play which is almost like comparing apples and oranges if I’m honest!”

What is she hoping for during her time with SCCC? “I want to try and win some games with Somerset, that’s my key priority at the moment, and to help this group to continue to push forward. They are a really hungry group for information and they want to try and learn as much as they can, and I love the way that they’re going about it.

“If I can leave having helped Somerset to win a few games and hopefully propel this group forward a little bit I’d be happy. I have never been made to feel old in a group before but I’ve been made to feel old in this group!”

Finally, would she return to play for Somerset if invited again in the future? Without hesitation Anika replied : “100% yes.”

Somerset Women start their 2026 Vitality Blast campaign with a home game against Hampshire at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton on Friday, 22nd May, starting at 2.30pm. This followed at 6.30pm by Somerset Men hosting their Hampshire counterparts.

Following their opener two days later Somerset Women travel to play Warwickshire at Edgbaston, starting at 11.30am.