A 17-year-old from Wimbledon has been picked to compete in a national tournament that prides itself on showcasing young athletes that go on to become Olympic stars.

Eva Gray is a student at Kingston Grammar School and was picked for the Sciver cricket team at the 2017 School Games National Finals. She will compete against two other teams.

A member of Surrey Cricket Club, Miss Gray already has an impressive record of success, having been selected for the England Women’s Academy.

The multi-sport event will take place at Loughborough University from August 31 to September 3.

Around 1,600 athletes will compete across 12 sports at the School Games, seven of which include disability disciplines. The four-day event is supported by National Lottery funding from Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.

It is the first time cricket will be played at the School Games.

Miss Gray said: “I’ve been really inspired by the Women's Cricket World Cup final – it was great comeback by the England team at an iconic venue.

“The School Games National Finals provide a great opportunity for talented young athletes like Eva,” says Ali Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Sport Trust. “Competitors get a real taste of what it’s like to be part of a world-class sporting event at the amazing sporting venues of Loughborough University, and the event is a great way to see our future sporting champions in action today.”

The School Games are the springboard for future athletes: 56 of the 382 athletes representing Team GB at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio competed at the School Games.

Previous competitors include Paralympic champions Hannah Cockroft, Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock, Olympic champion Adam Peaty, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson and GB sprinter Adam Gemili.

The School Games were established after London won the bid to host the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as part of the legacy programme.