SCHOOLGIRL Abigail Calder broke more than one record when she made her debut for Greenock Cricket Club.

The 14-year-old is the first ever female to be selected to play a senior game with the Glenpark side.

On the same day she was also part of the first father/daughter duo to play for the club — as her dad Alistair returned to the team for the first time in 20 years. In what became a truly remarkable afternoon Abigail was then joined on the field by her 12-year-old brother Cameron for a spell — and in the end the Greenock 2nd XI side finished with their highest ever score of 349 for 6.

Speaking to the Tele about her debut Abigail, of Newark Street, said: “I was so nervous beforehand.

“But once I was out there the nerves just went. It was great to play with my dad.

“He is a big cricket fan and has always encouraged us to take up sport.” Abigail is the only girl her age to play cricket at any senior level in Inverclyde.

She said: “I started going along to the cricket club’s summer camps and took it from there. I love the game. It makes you think and it improves your communication.” On her debut at Glenpark Abigail performed well, bowling three overs and conceding just 18 runs.

Since then she has played again for the seconds and now she hopes to become a regular. Abigail’s talent for the game has caught the attention of coaches at a national level and she trains with the Scottish ladies.

Clydeview Academy pupil Abigail added: “I think there are more opportunities for girls to play cricket now.” Dad Alistair, 50, was also delighted to join his daughter on the field of play, in what was his first appearance for Greenock Cricket Club in 20 years.

He said: “I used to play in the 1990s before I moved to Edinburgh.

“It was great to be back, although the legs were a bit wobbly and I think I felt my age afterwards!” Property developer Alistair was a regular with Greenock Cricket Club until he left to pursue his career. The family came back to live in Greenock three years ago after a spell in Beirut, Lebanon. Alistair and his wife Tessa have settled in Greenock with Cameron, 12, and Amelia, eight, while their sisters Rebecca, 23, and Susannah, 21, live in Wemyss Bay.

Alistair said: “Beirut was incredible and we were there for four years but we wanted our family to have the same opportunities that we had.

“We wanted to come back for the quality of life.

“There are so many opportunities for sports with cricket, rugby and all the water sports like rowing. That was our main driving force.”