In a previous blog (http://womens-cricket.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/womens-county-championship-2013-as-you.html) I explained that the outcome of the myriad of expensive league play-offs was that nothing changes for next season. Not a single county was promoted or relegated from any of the four divisions of the Women's County Championship.
I feel particularly aggrieved for Lancashire and Somerset in Division Two. Lancashire went through the season unbeaten, but then lost in the top of the table play-off game to Somerset. Somerset were then deprived of the opportunity of gaining promotion to Division One when their game with Division One play-off losers Essex at Slough CC was called off for bad weather the day before it was due to be played. Meanwhile just 50 miles north Sussex managed to get a full game in against Yorkshire (albeit with a few breaks for rain). To leave both Lancashire and Somerset languishing in Division Two is simply wrong. Both deserve to play against the better teams next season.
Back in February I wrote a piece suggesting that eight county games in a season was not enough. I still think that is the case and I would therefore suggest that both Lancashire and Somerset are promoted to Division One, making it a league of 11 teams for 2014, who each play each other once. I would scrap the play-offs, which would save the ECB money and a great deal of effort. The winner of Division One IS the County Championship winner. The bottom team is relegated to Division Two.
I would also make Division Two 11 teams - adding Netherlands, Northants, Scotland and Leicestershire to the seven remaining teams. Top team gets automatic promotion to Division One and bottom two teams are relegated into Division Three, which would be split regionally into two leagues - North & East and South & West and would contain Herts, Derbyshire, Gloucs, Hampshire and Oxfordshire, plus the current Division Four teams. Winners of both Division Three leagues would be promoted to Division Two.
I would also like to see the same set-up for a white ball T20 league (ie two leagues of 11). All international cricket (with the exception of the bi-annual Ashes Test) is white ball cricket. At some stage the 50 over format will also have to switch to white ball too, as it is in Australia and New Zealand. It would be great if some of the Division One T20 games could be played
on a Friday afternoon at some of the major grounds as T20 double-headers
with the men's county T20 competition. What better way for the men's
county teams to support the women's game and give their paying customers
more cricket to watch? Women's T20 is not the smash-fest that the men's
game has become, and some would say it is all the better for that. The top four in the league could play out a finals' day - how about at a ground with lights - two semis and then the final under lights?
In both Australia and New Zealand they play T20 games the day before and/or after a 50 over fixture, thereby reducing travelling time and costs for the teams. In Aus they play a T20 on Friday afternoon, 50 overs on Saturday and then another T20 on Sunday morning. In New Zealand they play a T20 on the Friday afternoon and then a 50 over game on the Saturday. They have not tagged on another T20 the following day. I am not sure this would work in England unless grounds could be secured for Saturdays and Sundays, but it is worth considering.
Finally I would scrap the Super 4s weekends, allowing more time for county games and county T20s to be played. The good county players will get to match themselves against the elite players in these county games and county T20s - proper fixtures that have a real meaning.
I also like Syd Egan's idea for an IPL for women (http://samebat.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/somerset-denied-but-we-can-fix-this.html). Yes its ambitious, but someone has to be? Let's do it in England where the women's game is on a high. Get the best players in the world here for a short T20 tournament played at one or more of the major grounds. Zac at Hove - What do you think?
MD
24/IX/13
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Showing posts with label Women's County Championship 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Women's County Championship 2013. Show all posts
Tuesday, 24 September 2013
Tuesday, 17 September 2013
Women's County Championship 2013 - as you were into 2014....
So after battling it out all season who has gone up and who has gone down? Well as far as I can see no-one!
It's as you were for 2014, unless the ECB changes the league structure next year, which I would like them to do, but more on that later this week. For now here's what happened in the play-off games :-
Division One Champions - Sussex (1st) beat Yorkshire (2nd) by 95 runs in the play-off
Division One Relegation - Surrey (8th) beat Essex (7th) by 5 wickets in the relegation play-off to remain in Div One. Essex had to play Div Two promotion play-off winners (Somerset) - [see *]
Division Two Promotion - Somerset (2nd) beat Lancashire (1st) by 13 runs which means Lancashire remain in Division Two. Somerset had to play Div One play-off losers (Essex) - [see *]
* Division One/Two Promotion/Relegation - Essex v Somerset - abandoned no play - Essex remain in Div One and Somerset remain in Div Two.
Division Two Relegation - Devon (7th) beat Durham (8th) by 108 runs in the relegation play-off to remain in Div Two. Durham had to play Div Three promotion play-off winners (Netherlands) [see **]
Division Three Promotion - Netherlands (1st) beat Northants (2nd) by 70 runs which means Northants remain in Div Three. Netherlands had to play Div Two play-off losers (Durham) - [see **]
** Division Two/Three Promotion/Relegation - Durham beat Netherlands by 2 wickets which means Durham remain in Div Two and Netherlands remain in Div Three.
Division Three Relegation - Hampshire (7th) beat Oxfordshire (8th) by 5 wickets to remain in Div Three. Oxfordshire had to play Div Four (N&E v S&W) play-off winners (Suffolk) - [see ***]
Division Four Promotion - Suffolk (N&E Div 4 winners) beat Cornwall (S & W Div 4 winners) by 2 runs which means Cornwall remain in Div Four (S&W). Suffolk had to play Div Three play-off losers (Oxfordshire) - [see ***]
***Division Three/Four Promotion/Relegation - Oxfordshire beat Suffolk by 129 runs which means Oxfordshire remain in Div Three and Suffolk remain in Div Four (N&E)
MD
17/IX/13
It's as you were for 2014, unless the ECB changes the league structure next year, which I would like them to do, but more on that later this week. For now here's what happened in the play-off games :-
Division One Champions - Sussex (1st) beat Yorkshire (2nd) by 95 runs in the play-off
Division One Relegation - Surrey (8th) beat Essex (7th) by 5 wickets in the relegation play-off to remain in Div One. Essex had to play Div Two promotion play-off winners (Somerset) - [see *]
Division Two Promotion - Somerset (2nd) beat Lancashire (1st) by 13 runs which means Lancashire remain in Division Two. Somerset had to play Div One play-off losers (Essex) - [see *]
* Division One/Two Promotion/Relegation - Essex v Somerset - abandoned no play - Essex remain in Div One and Somerset remain in Div Two.
Division Two Relegation - Devon (7th) beat Durham (8th) by 108 runs in the relegation play-off to remain in Div Two. Durham had to play Div Three promotion play-off winners (Netherlands) [see **]
Division Three Promotion - Netherlands (1st) beat Northants (2nd) by 70 runs which means Northants remain in Div Three. Netherlands had to play Div Two play-off losers (Durham) - [see **]
** Division Two/Three Promotion/Relegation - Durham beat Netherlands by 2 wickets which means Durham remain in Div Two and Netherlands remain in Div Three.
Division Three Relegation - Hampshire (7th) beat Oxfordshire (8th) by 5 wickets to remain in Div Three. Oxfordshire had to play Div Four (N&E v S&W) play-off winners (Suffolk) - [see ***]
Division Four Promotion - Suffolk (N&E Div 4 winners) beat Cornwall (S & W Div 4 winners) by 2 runs which means Cornwall remain in Div Four (S&W). Suffolk had to play Div Three play-off losers (Oxfordshire) - [see ***]
***Division Three/Four Promotion/Relegation - Oxfordshire beat Suffolk by 129 runs which means Oxfordshire remain in Div Three and Suffolk remain in Div Four (N&E)
MD
17/IX/13
Sunday, 15 September 2013
Taylor leads Sussex to County Champs title
Sussex have won the Women's County Championship 2013. It is their sixth Championship win in the last 10 years, but their first for three years. Having finished top of the league they beat Yorkshire by 95 runs in the Division One top of the table play-off. Rumours that this maybe the last year of such play-offs are to be welcomed.
With a dire weather forecast the toss was going to be a vital factor, and it was Yorkshire that had that advantage. Put into bat Sussex got off to the worst of starts losing two early wickets to Beatrice Firth (2/36) to be 10/2 in the fifth over. Yorkshire had Katherine Brunt in their side, but she was not fit enough to bowl. Sarah Taylor (128*) and Arran Brindle (17) set about trying to restore some order to the innings. They had added 56 before Brindle was caught behind off Dani Hazell (1/57). Holly Colvin (18) looked in good touch before she too fell to a catch behind but this time off Aimee Simms (1/35).
Sussex were 99/4 with almost half their overs gone and with the weather threatening to reduce the game to far fewer than the scheduled 50 overs. Izzy Collis, one of three under 17 year olds in the Sussex team, came to join her skipper and they remained together to the end of the Sussex innings - a stand of 143. Collis' contribution was a mature 51 (with a towering 6 off Dani Hazell to bring up her 50), which helped Taylor to a magnificent undefeated 128 off 127 balls as she flayed the cold and dejected Yorkshire bowling to all parts of Campbell Park in grey Milton Keynes. Sussex closed on 242/4 and a run rate of 4.87. If the game were shortened Yorkshire simply needed to be above that rate to win.
Yorkshire too made a bad start, losing the highly influential Lauren Winfield to a sharp low catch by Taylor behind the stumps off Noakes, and then Jess Watson was unfortunately run out backing up at the bowler's end. Campbell went shortly afterwards lofting Brindle to Alexia Walker at mid-off. Yorkshire were 42/3 in the 14th over. Briefly Dani Hazell (26), Kathryn Doherty (20) and Katherine Brunt (46*) got Yorkshire back on track, but when Hazell was neatly stumped by Taylor off Colvin (3/23) Yorkshire looked a spent force. They battled on gamely and despite the weather the game reached a natural conclusion with a fourth run out 11 overs before the scheduled finish and with Yorkshire all out for 147. On paper it was a comprehensive victory, and thoroughly well deserved by the better team on the day, but no-one can deny the massive influence of Sarah Taylor's masterful innings. Without her Sussex may still have achieved a decent score - they had batting to come - but probably not many over 200. Yorkshire then would not have had such great scoreboard pressure and may have got much closer.
MD
15/IX/13
Sussex were 99/4 with almost half their overs gone and with the weather threatening to reduce the game to far fewer than the scheduled 50 overs. Izzy Collis, one of three under 17 year olds in the Sussex team, came to join her skipper and they remained together to the end of the Sussex innings - a stand of 143. Collis' contribution was a mature 51 (with a towering 6 off Dani Hazell to bring up her 50), which helped Taylor to a magnificent undefeated 128 off 127 balls as she flayed the cold and dejected Yorkshire bowling to all parts of Campbell Park in grey Milton Keynes. Sussex closed on 242/4 and a run rate of 4.87. If the game were shortened Yorkshire simply needed to be above that rate to win.
Yorkshire too made a bad start, losing the highly influential Lauren Winfield to a sharp low catch by Taylor behind the stumps off Noakes, and then Jess Watson was unfortunately run out backing up at the bowler's end. Campbell went shortly afterwards lofting Brindle to Alexia Walker at mid-off. Yorkshire were 42/3 in the 14th over. Briefly Dani Hazell (26), Kathryn Doherty (20) and Katherine Brunt (46*) got Yorkshire back on track, but when Hazell was neatly stumped by Taylor off Colvin (3/23) Yorkshire looked a spent force. They battled on gamely and despite the weather the game reached a natural conclusion with a fourth run out 11 overs before the scheduled finish and with Yorkshire all out for 147. On paper it was a comprehensive victory, and thoroughly well deserved by the better team on the day, but no-one can deny the massive influence of Sarah Taylor's masterful innings. Without her Sussex may still have achieved a decent score - they had batting to come - but probably not many over 200. Yorkshire then would not have had such great scoreboard pressure and may have got much closer.
MD
15/IX/13
Thursday, 12 September 2013
And finally....County Season Finales
This Sunday, subject to the vagaries of the English mid-September weather, sees the culmination of the Women's County Championship 2013, season which started back in early May and effectively finished in mid July. The County Champions will be decided as will those being relegated and promoted from and to Divisions 1, 2 and 3.
The matches being played are :-
Divison 1 Championship Title Decider - Sussex v Yorkshire at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes - 10.30am start
Division 1 & 2 Play Off - Somerset v Essex at Slough CC - 11am start
Division 2 & 3 Play Off - Durham v Netherlands at Wellesbourne CC at 11am
Division 3 & 4 Play Off - Oxfordshire v Suffolk at Wokingham CC at 11am
Yorkshire finished in second place in the league and will be relishing their first opportunity at a County Championship for sometime. They lost two games during the "regular season" to Berkshire and Warwickshire, but beat both Sussex and then title holders Kent (by 6 wickets) in a key clash late in the season. The consistent Lauren Winfield (averaging 64.83) has lead their batting attack. She has not failed to reach double figures in any league game this year and has gone passed 50 in 4 of the 7 league games she has played. Significantly she did not play in the defeat to Warwickshire early in the season. Jess Watson has been Yorkshire's other mainstay with the bat, particularly later in the season, enjoying an unbroken opening stand of 177 with Winfield (76*) against Notts, in which she contributed 84. Both enjoy putting bat to ball and Sussex will need to keep them in check. In addition, of course, Yorkshire have Dani Hazell and Katherine Brunt, essentially bowlers, but both will be keen to show what they can do with the bat. Lower down the order experienced skipper Salliann Briggs and the young Hollie Armitage have chipped in with useful runs. Deprived of Brunt for most of the season, spinners Hazell (14), Katie Levick (11) and Aimee Simms (10) have been the main wicket-takers, but with Brunt potentially back and firing on all cylinders they will look to her to make the early breakthrough.
Sussex have had an inconsistent season, despite finishing top of the league. They lost to Yorkshire and Middlesex during the season and were soundly beaten by Kent in the T20 final last weekend. It is true to say that they have had their fair share of injuries this year, notably to their England stars Holly Colvin, Sarah Taylor and Georgia Elwiss. If Taylor and Elwiss play in the final then the Sussex batting becomes considerably stronger and more threatening. Sussex regular and chief wicket-taker Alexia Walker is definitely out of the final with a broken finger, so Sussex will once again be a very young team. Teenagers Izi Noakes and Freya Davies spearhead the fast bowling attack, and with Holly Colvin back from a broken thumb she will be one of possibly a trio of spin bowlers for Sussex.
At the beginning of the season Yorkshire would have been considered underdogs for this final, but given the way the season has panned out they might just be favourites. But this is a one-off game (surely not how a league title should be decided?). One big contribution for either side could swing it their way. This could be a nail-biting climax to the season?
MD
12/IX/13
The matches being played are :-
Divison 1 Championship Title Decider - Sussex v Yorkshire at Campbell Park, Milton Keynes - 10.30am start
Division 1 & 2 Play Off - Somerset v Essex at Slough CC - 11am start
Division 2 & 3 Play Off - Durham v Netherlands at Wellesbourne CC at 11am
Division 3 & 4 Play Off - Oxfordshire v Suffolk at Wokingham CC at 11am
Yorkshire finished in second place in the league and will be relishing their first opportunity at a County Championship for sometime. They lost two games during the "regular season" to Berkshire and Warwickshire, but beat both Sussex and then title holders Kent (by 6 wickets) in a key clash late in the season. The consistent Lauren Winfield (averaging 64.83) has lead their batting attack. She has not failed to reach double figures in any league game this year and has gone passed 50 in 4 of the 7 league games she has played. Significantly she did not play in the defeat to Warwickshire early in the season. Jess Watson has been Yorkshire's other mainstay with the bat, particularly later in the season, enjoying an unbroken opening stand of 177 with Winfield (76*) against Notts, in which she contributed 84. Both enjoy putting bat to ball and Sussex will need to keep them in check. In addition, of course, Yorkshire have Dani Hazell and Katherine Brunt, essentially bowlers, but both will be keen to show what they can do with the bat. Lower down the order experienced skipper Salliann Briggs and the young Hollie Armitage have chipped in with useful runs. Deprived of Brunt for most of the season, spinners Hazell (14), Katie Levick (11) and Aimee Simms (10) have been the main wicket-takers, but with Brunt potentially back and firing on all cylinders they will look to her to make the early breakthrough.
Sussex have had an inconsistent season, despite finishing top of the league. They lost to Yorkshire and Middlesex during the season and were soundly beaten by Kent in the T20 final last weekend. It is true to say that they have had their fair share of injuries this year, notably to their England stars Holly Colvin, Sarah Taylor and Georgia Elwiss. If Taylor and Elwiss play in the final then the Sussex batting becomes considerably stronger and more threatening. Sussex regular and chief wicket-taker Alexia Walker is definitely out of the final with a broken finger, so Sussex will once again be a very young team. Teenagers Izi Noakes and Freya Davies spearhead the fast bowling attack, and with Holly Colvin back from a broken thumb she will be one of possibly a trio of spin bowlers for Sussex.
At the beginning of the season Yorkshire would have been considered underdogs for this final, but given the way the season has panned out they might just be favourites. But this is a one-off game (surely not how a league title should be decided?). One big contribution for either side could swing it their way. This could be a nail-biting climax to the season?
MD
12/IX/13
Sunday, 1 September 2013
Div 1 & 2 Play-Off Results
Nothing on Play Cricket (not even the fixtures), but this is what I have gleaned from twitter so far :-
Division One
Championship Match
Sussex play Yorkshire on 15th September
Relegation Play-Off
Surrey have beaten Essex by 5 wickets, chasing down Surrey's 193 all out, thanks to a great knock from Susie Rowe (92). Surrey remain in Div One next year. Essex must play-off against Somerset for a place in the top flight next season.
-----------------------
Division Two
Promotion Play-Off
Somerset beat Lancashire by 13 runs. Somerset set Lancs 194/9 (Ellwyn Campbell 79) and Lancs could only manage 181 all out in reply, despite a great effort by Natalie Brown (70) and Megan Fairclough (28) who took Lancs from 93/6 to 150/6 before Natalie fell.
Relegation Play-Off
Devon beat Durham by 108 runs and are safe. Durham must play-off against Netherlands the winners of the Div 3 Promotion play-off game (Netherlands v Northants).
If anyone has any more details or dates for the final play-off games, please let me know.
martin@lawdox.co.uk
Cheers
MD
01/IX/13
Division One
Championship Match
Sussex play Yorkshire on 15th September
Relegation Play-Off
Surrey have beaten Essex by 5 wickets, chasing down Surrey's 193 all out, thanks to a great knock from Susie Rowe (92). Surrey remain in Div One next year. Essex must play-off against Somerset for a place in the top flight next season.
-----------------------
Division Two
Promotion Play-Off
Somerset beat Lancashire by 13 runs. Somerset set Lancs 194/9 (Ellwyn Campbell 79) and Lancs could only manage 181 all out in reply, despite a great effort by Natalie Brown (70) and Megan Fairclough (28) who took Lancs from 93/6 to 150/6 before Natalie fell.
Relegation Play-Off
Devon beat Durham by 108 runs and are safe. Durham must play-off against Netherlands the winners of the Div 3 Promotion play-off game (Netherlands v Northants).
If anyone has any more details or dates for the final play-off games, please let me know.
martin@lawdox.co.uk
Cheers
MD
01/IX/13
Thursday, 1 August 2013
Women's Cricket Diary
Women's Cricket coming up in August and September, as far I can ascertain at the moment.
If you know of any more games/details, or if these are incorrect please let me know. Email martin@lawdox.co.uk
11-14 August - England v Australia - Test Match - Wormsley CC
19-23 August - U19 England Women Development Programme Week (Junior Super 4s as was) - Wellington College
19 August - U15 T20 semi-finals at Leamington CC
20 August - England v Australia ODI - Lords
20 August - U15 T20 Final at Leamington CC
22 August - U15 County Championship semi-final at Wokingham CC
23 August - England v Australia ODI - Hove
23 August - U15 County Championship Final at Wokingham CC
25 August - England v Australia ODI Hove
27 August - England v Australia - T20 - Chelmsford
29 August - England v Austrlia - T20 - Southampton
29 August - U17 T20 semi-finals - Leamington CC
30 August - U17 T20 final - Leamington CC
31 August - England v Australia - T20 - Chester-le-Street
1 September - Women's County Championship Div 1 relegation and Div 2 promotion/relegation play-off games - Essex v Surrey; Lancashire v Somerset; Devon v Durham (?)
7 September - Senior T20 Finals - Sussex, Notts, Berkshire and Kent (I think)
15 September - Women's County Championship Division 1 Play-Off - Sussex v Yorkshire at Campbell Park Milton Keynes - 11am start
21September - U17 County Championship semi-final at Leamington CC
21 September - U13 County Championship semi-finals at tbc
22 September - U17 County Championship Final at Leamington CC
22 September - U13 County Championship Final at tbc
MD
01/VII/13
If you know of any more games/details, or if these are incorrect please let me know. Email martin@lawdox.co.uk
11-14 August - England v Australia - Test Match - Wormsley CC
19-23 August - U19 England Women Development Programme Week (Junior Super 4s as was) - Wellington College
19 August - U15 T20 semi-finals at Leamington CC
20 August - England v Australia ODI - Lords
20 August - U15 T20 Final at Leamington CC
22 August - U15 County Championship semi-final at Wokingham CC
23 August - England v Australia ODI - Hove
23 August - U15 County Championship Final at Wokingham CC
25 August - England v Australia ODI Hove
27 August - England v Australia - T20 - Chelmsford
29 August - England v Austrlia - T20 - Southampton
29 August - U17 T20 semi-finals - Leamington CC
30 August - U17 T20 final - Leamington CC
31 August - England v Australia - T20 - Chester-le-Street
1 September - Women's County Championship Div 1 relegation and Div 2 promotion/relegation play-off games - Essex v Surrey; Lancashire v Somerset; Devon v Durham (?)
7 September - Senior T20 Finals - Sussex, Notts, Berkshire and Kent (I think)
15 September - Women's County Championship Division 1 Play-Off - Sussex v Yorkshire at Campbell Park Milton Keynes - 11am start
21September - U17 County Championship semi-final at Leamington CC
21 September - U13 County Championship semi-finals at tbc
22 September - U17 County Championship Final at Leamington CC
22 September - U13 County Championship Final at tbc
MD
01/VII/13
Friday, 19 July 2013
Yorkshire show true spirit
If you want to talk about the "Spirit of Cricket" then nothing exemplifies it more than Yorkshire's game against Middlesex in the Women's County Championship tomorrow at Arnold House Activity Centre.
Technically Yorkshire have already qualified to play Sussex in the Division One Women's County Championship final on 15th September. They have finished second in the league, beating Kent by 0.05 average points. Had Kent got one more bonus point during the season the positions would have been reversed, so it was the narrowest of margins. Kent have played all their eight games - won six and lost two. Yorkshire have played seven - won five and lost two and had one game cancelled. As far as the average points are concerned their cancelled game is ignored.
Yorkshire could therefore have just sat on their hands and looked forward to the final, but they want to get their "properly". They have rescheduled the cancelled game against Middlesex for tomorrow. It means they have to win their game tomorrow and get at least 4 bonus points. If they do not then Kent will jump into second place in the league table and will meet Sussex for the title.
A win will put Yorkshire into the final for the first time since 2002. In fact they won the Championship for five of the first six years and were runners-up in the other final (1997-2002). Since then it has been lean times for the Tykes, which even included a spell in Division 3 in 2008.
This season has not been their most consistent. They lost to Warwickshire by 34 runs and got tonked by Berkshire, but they have beaten the top teams, including both Sussex and Kent. And it was that last win, by six wickets chasing down Kent's 188 in the 42nd over, which moved them passed the current champions and into a play-off place. They seem to be a team on a mission under the careful leadership of Salliann Briggs. Their batting this season has been led by Lauren Winfield (averaging 64), which has earned her an England call-up. Danni Hazell and Aimee Simms head the bowling attack, in the absence this season of the enigmatic Katherine Brunt. She returned and bowled six overs in the win over Kent. They will be hoping she is fit enough to take the field against Middlesex tomorrow, because it is going to be a tough game.
Middlesex have a strong top five, who have all performed well this year. They have recent wins over Sussex and Warwickshire under their belts. It may all come down to who wants it more, and there is little doubt that Yorkshire really want it. A win would also be very good for the Spirit of Cricket.
MD
19/VII/13
Technically Yorkshire have already qualified to play Sussex in the Division One Women's County Championship final on 15th September. They have finished second in the league, beating Kent by 0.05 average points. Had Kent got one more bonus point during the season the positions would have been reversed, so it was the narrowest of margins. Kent have played all their eight games - won six and lost two. Yorkshire have played seven - won five and lost two and had one game cancelled. As far as the average points are concerned their cancelled game is ignored.
Yorkshire could therefore have just sat on their hands and looked forward to the final, but they want to get their "properly". They have rescheduled the cancelled game against Middlesex for tomorrow. It means they have to win their game tomorrow and get at least 4 bonus points. If they do not then Kent will jump into second place in the league table and will meet Sussex for the title.
A win will put Yorkshire into the final for the first time since 2002. In fact they won the Championship for five of the first six years and were runners-up in the other final (1997-2002). Since then it has been lean times for the Tykes, which even included a spell in Division 3 in 2008.
This season has not been their most consistent. They lost to Warwickshire by 34 runs and got tonked by Berkshire, but they have beaten the top teams, including both Sussex and Kent. And it was that last win, by six wickets chasing down Kent's 188 in the 42nd over, which moved them passed the current champions and into a play-off place. They seem to be a team on a mission under the careful leadership of Salliann Briggs. Their batting this season has been led by Lauren Winfield (averaging 64), which has earned her an England call-up. Danni Hazell and Aimee Simms head the bowling attack, in the absence this season of the enigmatic Katherine Brunt. She returned and bowled six overs in the win over Kent. They will be hoping she is fit enough to take the field against Middlesex tomorrow, because it is going to be a tough game.
Middlesex have a strong top five, who have all performed well this year. They have recent wins over Sussex and Warwickshire under their belts. It may all come down to who wants it more, and there is little doubt that Yorkshire really want it. A win would also be very good for the Spirit of Cricket.
MD
19/VII/13
Monday, 15 July 2013
Final weekend of drama in Div 1 of the Championship
While the drama of the 1st Test of the men's Ashes series unfolded at Trent Bridge, the women's County Championship also showed why cricket is such an absorbing game.
The First Act of the play took place at Hurst College in Sussex on Saturday, when Berkshire visited Sussex to play the game that had been cancelled earlier in the season. Sussex knew that if they could win this game and the next day's against Essex they would make the County Championship play-off. Berkshire won the toss and elected to bat, and once again Heather Knight (78) and Fi Morris (47) got them off to a superb start on what looked like an excellent batting track. They put on 115 for the first wicket with Knight playing beautifully off her legs and the pair running some sharp singles. Knight had been fortunate to survive a run-out appeal when in the forties, and Morris finally perished in similar fashion as she hesitated and Sarah Taylor at midwicket whipped in a smart throw. A few overs later Arran Brindle made the important breakthrough enticing a caught and bowled chance out of Knight, which she gratefully accepted. It signalled a stagnation in the Berkshire innings as off-spinners Georgia Adams and Chiara Green found a good line and length. Wickets too began to fall - 134/2 became 142/6. Emily Gerke (12) and Daisy Gardner (16) briefly sparked a revival but it was snuffed out by Alexia Walker (3/38) and Berkshire finished on 182/9. In reply Sussex were going along very sweetly at 72/1 in just the 12th over when Alice MacLeod struck twice. Sussex then slipped to 80/4 but Arran Brindle (51) and Alexia Walker (32) still seemed to be in control. But when they both fell Sussex had slipped to 135/7. 49 were still needed but with plenty of overs in hand. Freya Davies (8) and Izi Noakes (13*) eaked out 28 of them in a patient 14 over partnership and then Rebecca Silk (12) calmly came in to take Sussex over the line with two wickets and 25 balls in hand.
The Second Act unfolded on Sunday in Harrogate in Yorkshire as the Tykes took on Kent. Yorkshire welcomed back Katherine Brunt to their bowling attack, and Kent were at full strength, including Laura Marsh as a bowling option. Kent opted to bat and made a solid start through Tammy Beaumont (18) and Charlotte Edwards (93), but Yorkshire's bowlers never allowed them to get on top. Kent reached 176/3 with six overs to go, but failed to capitalise in the last few overs and could only post 188/7 with Katie Levick claiming 3/42. Lauren Winfield (69) and Jess Watson (53) got Yorkshire off to a rattling start going at seven an over initially and reaching 137 before Yorkshire lost their first wicket. Despite a slight wobble Kathryn Doherty (14*) and Salliann Briggs (12*) brought Yorkshire home with just 4 wickets down, which restricted Kent to just one bowling point to add to their three batting points. Whether the teams realised the significance of this at the time is unlikely, but the points earned by both teams left Yorkshire 0.05 average points above Kent in second place in the league.
The Third Act took place at Garron Park where Sussex took on Essex. A win was all Sussex needed to clinch a spot in the play-off, but against who they did not know. Having reduced Essex to 23/4 after a clinical 14 over opening spell by Izi Noakes (3/26) and Freya Davies (2/6), Sussex's win never really looked in doubt. Essex skipper Jo Cook (27) and some late resistance from Hannah Courtnell (34*) took the Essex total to 122 before they were bowled out in the 45th over. It was never going to be a challenging target and openers Georgia Adams (28) and Arran Brindle (15) made serene progress to 46, before they both surprisingly got out. But skipper Sarah Taylor (35*) and the hard-hitting Alexia Walker (24*) saw Sussex to the win they needed to finish top of the division after Kent's loss at Yorkshire.
The Final Act will take place in Middlesex next Saturday. Yorkshire have had one game cancelled against Middlesex. They have confirmed that they will play this game next Saturday (20th July). They must win and get at least 4 bonus points to maintain their place in the play-off final v Sussex.
Meanwhile, on a separate stage, Berkshire beat Nottinghamshire in a dramatic last over run chase. Notts set Berkshire a challenging 216 to win thanks to some generous bowling and 86 from Jenny Gunn and 64 from Sonia Odedra. But with Heather Knight in magnificent form Berkshire were always in with a shout. She did not disappoint with another great knock of 83 (which takes her tally this season to 604 in eight innings at an eye-watering average of 100.66 - ECB are you watching?), but when she and Carla Rudd (35) were out it looked like the Berkshire charge would come to an end. Fortunately they ended their season on a high as Linsey Smith (20*) kept her cool and they just snuck over the line in the last over with just two wickets in hand.
And in the final game of the weekend Warwickshire beat Surrey by 119 runs. Warwickshire scored a respectable 198/7 with almost all their batsmen making double figures. No-one really went on to a big score, but Marie Kelly (41) and Liz Russell (38) lead the way. In reply Surrey were bundled out for just 79 in 32 overs. Only Nat Sciver with 34 put up any real resistance as Kelly made it a good day with 4/13.
MD
15/VII/13
The First Act of the play took place at Hurst College in Sussex on Saturday, when Berkshire visited Sussex to play the game that had been cancelled earlier in the season. Sussex knew that if they could win this game and the next day's against Essex they would make the County Championship play-off. Berkshire won the toss and elected to bat, and once again Heather Knight (78) and Fi Morris (47) got them off to a superb start on what looked like an excellent batting track. They put on 115 for the first wicket with Knight playing beautifully off her legs and the pair running some sharp singles. Knight had been fortunate to survive a run-out appeal when in the forties, and Morris finally perished in similar fashion as she hesitated and Sarah Taylor at midwicket whipped in a smart throw. A few overs later Arran Brindle made the important breakthrough enticing a caught and bowled chance out of Knight, which she gratefully accepted. It signalled a stagnation in the Berkshire innings as off-spinners Georgia Adams and Chiara Green found a good line and length. Wickets too began to fall - 134/2 became 142/6. Emily Gerke (12) and Daisy Gardner (16) briefly sparked a revival but it was snuffed out by Alexia Walker (3/38) and Berkshire finished on 182/9. In reply Sussex were going along very sweetly at 72/1 in just the 12th over when Alice MacLeod struck twice. Sussex then slipped to 80/4 but Arran Brindle (51) and Alexia Walker (32) still seemed to be in control. But when they both fell Sussex had slipped to 135/7. 49 were still needed but with plenty of overs in hand. Freya Davies (8) and Izi Noakes (13*) eaked out 28 of them in a patient 14 over partnership and then Rebecca Silk (12) calmly came in to take Sussex over the line with two wickets and 25 balls in hand.
The Second Act unfolded on Sunday in Harrogate in Yorkshire as the Tykes took on Kent. Yorkshire welcomed back Katherine Brunt to their bowling attack, and Kent were at full strength, including Laura Marsh as a bowling option. Kent opted to bat and made a solid start through Tammy Beaumont (18) and Charlotte Edwards (93), but Yorkshire's bowlers never allowed them to get on top. Kent reached 176/3 with six overs to go, but failed to capitalise in the last few overs and could only post 188/7 with Katie Levick claiming 3/42. Lauren Winfield (69) and Jess Watson (53) got Yorkshire off to a rattling start going at seven an over initially and reaching 137 before Yorkshire lost their first wicket. Despite a slight wobble Kathryn Doherty (14*) and Salliann Briggs (12*) brought Yorkshire home with just 4 wickets down, which restricted Kent to just one bowling point to add to their three batting points. Whether the teams realised the significance of this at the time is unlikely, but the points earned by both teams left Yorkshire 0.05 average points above Kent in second place in the league.
The Third Act took place at Garron Park where Sussex took on Essex. A win was all Sussex needed to clinch a spot in the play-off, but against who they did not know. Having reduced Essex to 23/4 after a clinical 14 over opening spell by Izi Noakes (3/26) and Freya Davies (2/6), Sussex's win never really looked in doubt. Essex skipper Jo Cook (27) and some late resistance from Hannah Courtnell (34*) took the Essex total to 122 before they were bowled out in the 45th over. It was never going to be a challenging target and openers Georgia Adams (28) and Arran Brindle (15) made serene progress to 46, before they both surprisingly got out. But skipper Sarah Taylor (35*) and the hard-hitting Alexia Walker (24*) saw Sussex to the win they needed to finish top of the division after Kent's loss at Yorkshire.
The Final Act will take place in Middlesex next Saturday. Yorkshire have had one game cancelled against Middlesex. They have confirmed that they will play this game next Saturday (20th July). They must win and get at least 4 bonus points to maintain their place in the play-off final v Sussex.
Meanwhile, on a separate stage, Berkshire beat Nottinghamshire in a dramatic last over run chase. Notts set Berkshire a challenging 216 to win thanks to some generous bowling and 86 from Jenny Gunn and 64 from Sonia Odedra. But with Heather Knight in magnificent form Berkshire were always in with a shout. She did not disappoint with another great knock of 83 (which takes her tally this season to 604 in eight innings at an eye-watering average of 100.66 - ECB are you watching?), but when she and Carla Rudd (35) were out it looked like the Berkshire charge would come to an end. Fortunately they ended their season on a high as Linsey Smith (20*) kept her cool and they just snuck over the line in the last over with just two wickets in hand.
And in the final game of the weekend Warwickshire beat Surrey by 119 runs. Warwickshire scored a respectable 198/7 with almost all their batsmen making double figures. No-one really went on to a big score, but Marie Kelly (41) and Liz Russell (38) lead the way. In reply Surrey were bundled out for just 79 in 32 overs. Only Nat Sciver with 34 put up any real resistance as Kelly made it a good day with 4/13.
MD
15/VII/13
Lancs and Somerset make Div 2 showdown
The final weekend of games in Division Two of the Women's County Championship produced some great individual performances, but no real surprises. Wins for Lancashire and Somerset have seen them into the Div 2 Play-Off match. The winner will then play the loser of the Div 1 relegation play-off game and the winner of that match will start 2014 in Div 1. Defeats for Durham and Devon leave them at the foot of the division.
Lancashire beat Durham by 161 runs
Lancashire won the toss and decided to bat and posted a magnificent 320/2 in their 50 overs with openers Emma Lamb (113*) and Laura Marshall (88) sharing an opening stand of 164. !5 year old Lamb has had a magnificent season for the Red Roses scoring over 300 runs at an average of over 100. She sells her wicket very dearly. Durham made a decent effort in reply reaching 159/8 with Sarah King (49) and Jane Riddell (36*) their main scorers, but they were never going to get close. Jennifer Laycock (3/18) and Nalisha Patel (3/31) were the chief wicket-takers.
Lancashire have just beaten Ireland in their last fixture of the season by 91 runs to maintain their 100% record.
Somerset beat Devon by 125 runs
Sophie Le Marchand, who has been in great form with the bat for Bath, transferred it seamlessly to county cricket for the second week running scoring exactly 100. With the aid of 63 from Sophie Luff Somerset set a struggling Devon 259/6. Only Aylish Cranstone (52) got into double figures for Devon in response and they were all out in the 43rd over for just 134, 37 of which came in extras. Lorraine Szczepanski took 3/15 and Anya Shrubsole 3/26. As things stand Devon will take on Durham in the relegation play-off if none of the cancelled games get replayed.
Staffordshire beat Ireland by 1 wicketStaffs and Ireland played out a cracker at Swynnerton Park. Ireland batted first and thanks to 71 from Eimear Richardson and 43no from Una Raymond Hoey they posted 220/7 in their 50 overs. Shanel Daley took 3/15 off 10 overs. Things were not looking too promising in reply as Satffs slumped to 38/2 and then 85/3, but Francesca James (61) and Steph Butler (49) took the total to 152/4. Butler and Elysse Lally (21) then took the total beyond 200 and victory seemed certain, but Anna Kerrison (3/17) and Robyn Lewis (3/29) produced a flurry of late wickets and it was left to Staffs' numbers 9 and 11 to squeeze them home with three balls and just one wicket to spare.
Worcestershire beat Wales by 5 wickets Wales' top order all batted well with Gwenan Davies (50) and Claire Thomas (47) the main run-scorers and they would have been reasonably satisfied with their total of 218 all out. Thea Brookes (3/34) and Melissa Norup (3/34) were the pick of the bowlers. Brookes then strapped her pads on and did not take them off again until the game was won by Worcestershire. She made an unbeaten 110 and with help from Charlotte Holtom (44) saw Worcester home in the penultimate over.
MD
15/VII/13
Lancashire beat Durham by 161 runs
Lancashire won the toss and decided to bat and posted a magnificent 320/2 in their 50 overs with openers Emma Lamb (113*) and Laura Marshall (88) sharing an opening stand of 164. !5 year old Lamb has had a magnificent season for the Red Roses scoring over 300 runs at an average of over 100. She sells her wicket very dearly. Durham made a decent effort in reply reaching 159/8 with Sarah King (49) and Jane Riddell (36*) their main scorers, but they were never going to get close. Jennifer Laycock (3/18) and Nalisha Patel (3/31) were the chief wicket-takers.
Lancashire have just beaten Ireland in their last fixture of the season by 91 runs to maintain their 100% record.
Somerset beat Devon by 125 runs
Sophie Le Marchand, who has been in great form with the bat for Bath, transferred it seamlessly to county cricket for the second week running scoring exactly 100. With the aid of 63 from Sophie Luff Somerset set a struggling Devon 259/6. Only Aylish Cranstone (52) got into double figures for Devon in response and they were all out in the 43rd over for just 134, 37 of which came in extras. Lorraine Szczepanski took 3/15 and Anya Shrubsole 3/26. As things stand Devon will take on Durham in the relegation play-off if none of the cancelled games get replayed.
Staffordshire beat Ireland by 1 wicketStaffs and Ireland played out a cracker at Swynnerton Park. Ireland batted first and thanks to 71 from Eimear Richardson and 43no from Una Raymond Hoey they posted 220/7 in their 50 overs. Shanel Daley took 3/15 off 10 overs. Things were not looking too promising in reply as Satffs slumped to 38/2 and then 85/3, but Francesca James (61) and Steph Butler (49) took the total to 152/4. Butler and Elysse Lally (21) then took the total beyond 200 and victory seemed certain, but Anna Kerrison (3/17) and Robyn Lewis (3/29) produced a flurry of late wickets and it was left to Staffs' numbers 9 and 11 to squeeze them home with three balls and just one wicket to spare.
Worcestershire beat Wales by 5 wickets Wales' top order all batted well with Gwenan Davies (50) and Claire Thomas (47) the main run-scorers and they would have been reasonably satisfied with their total of 218 all out. Thea Brookes (3/34) and Melissa Norup (3/34) were the pick of the bowlers. Brookes then strapped her pads on and did not take them off again until the game was won by Worcestershire. She made an unbeaten 110 and with help from Charlotte Holtom (44) saw Worcester home in the penultimate over.
MD
15/VII/13
Sunday, 14 July 2013
Sussex top as Kent fall to Yorkshire
****STOP PRESS****
(full reports to follow)
Division One Women's County Championship
Sussex beat Berkshire by 2 wickets on Saturday and beat Essex by 7 wickets on Sunday to claim 7 batting and 8 bowling points, plus 20 points for the two wins.
In a dramatic twist Yorkshire beat Kent by 6 wickets. Kent only picked up 3 batting and 1 bowling point. Yorkshire picked up 10 points for the win, plus 4 batting and 3 bowling points.
This means Sussex have finished top and qualified for the championship play-off. Yorkshire hold the second play-off slot. They have had one cancelled game against Middlesex.
This means the table looks like this.
(full reports to follow)
Division One Women's County Championship
Sussex beat Berkshire by 2 wickets on Saturday and beat Essex by 7 wickets on Sunday to claim 7 batting and 8 bowling points, plus 20 points for the two wins.
In a dramatic twist Yorkshire beat Kent by 6 wickets. Kent only picked up 3 batting and 1 bowling point. Yorkshire picked up 10 points for the win, plus 4 batting and 3 bowling points.
This means Sussex have finished top and qualified for the championship play-off. Yorkshire hold the second play-off slot. They have had one cancelled game against Middlesex.
This means the table looks like this.
| Team | P | W | L | T | A | C | win points | bonus bat | bonus bowl | total points | avge points |
| Sussex | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 28 | 28 | 116 | 14.50 |
| Yorkshire | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50 | 21 | 23 | 94 | 13.43 |
| Kent | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 27 | 20 | 107 | 13.38 |
| MD 14/VII/13 | ||||||||||||
Friday, 12 July 2013
Decisive final weekend in County Champs Divs One and Two
The final full weekend of Women's County Championship fixtures will almost certainly see the top two in both divisions decided. At the bottom of both divisions matters may not be quite so clear come Sunday night.
Division One
League leaders Kent take on third team Yorkshire up in Harrogate. Kent know if they win then they will definitely be in the Division One play-off again on 15th September, but, if they lose, Yorkshire, who have another game to play against Middlesex, could still get to the Championship play-off themselves. This could be at the expense of Kent, or if Sussex slip up, then it could be to play Kent again.
Sussex meanwhile have their destiny in their own hands. They have their last two games this weekend - on Saturday against Berkshire and on Sunday against Essex. If they win both games they will almost certainly be through to the play-off, provided they score a reasonable number of bonus points. That would keep them above Yorkshire, even if they won both their games, and Kent, if they were to lose to Yorkshire.
At the bottom (where the bottom two will play-off against each other and the loser then plays the winner of the Division Two play-off to stay in the league) Surrey have a tough game at Warwickshire, who had a very important win against Berkshire last week. It means Warwickshire are probably safe, but with Middlesex on a roll (they have won their last two games against Warwickshire and Sussex) they cannot afford to relax too much. Essex are also only one win just behind them, but they still have two games to play. They will have their work cut out against Sussex on Sunday, particularly if Sussex have won the day before against Berkshire. Their other game is against Surrey themselves, which is yet to be scheduled.
The final game on Sunday is Berkshire v Notts. Both will want to win to keep their slim hopes of reaching the title play-off game alive. It will be the last game for both sides this year, and both look destined to finish mid-table.
Division Two
In Division Two Somerset play their last game of the season against Devon and they will expect to win and provided they pick up a couple of bonus points that will be enough to see them through to the Div Two play-off match no matter what happens elsewhere. If league leaders Lancashire beat Durham on Sunday then it will be Lancashire who meet them there, even though they still have another game to play against Ireland on Monday.
Ireland's slim chances of getting to the play-off rest on them beating Staffordshire on Sunday and then Lancashire in their last game of the season on Monday, but Somerset will still have to trip up on Sunday against Devon. Its a longshot, but they have nothing to lose after having had a great season.
The final game on Sunday in Division Two is Worcestershire v Wales clash. Wales are scrapping it out at the bottom with Devon and Durham (all have one win to date). One win for any team in their last couple of games (Durham actually have three) could be the one that takes them out of the bottom two.
There will be a lot of frayed nerves throughout the country on Sunday afternoon and I will update this blog as soon as I can on Monday with results and consequences.
MD
12/VII/13
Division One
League leaders Kent take on third team Yorkshire up in Harrogate. Kent know if they win then they will definitely be in the Division One play-off again on 15th September, but, if they lose, Yorkshire, who have another game to play against Middlesex, could still get to the Championship play-off themselves. This could be at the expense of Kent, or if Sussex slip up, then it could be to play Kent again.
Sussex meanwhile have their destiny in their own hands. They have their last two games this weekend - on Saturday against Berkshire and on Sunday against Essex. If they win both games they will almost certainly be through to the play-off, provided they score a reasonable number of bonus points. That would keep them above Yorkshire, even if they won both their games, and Kent, if they were to lose to Yorkshire.
At the bottom (where the bottom two will play-off against each other and the loser then plays the winner of the Division Two play-off to stay in the league) Surrey have a tough game at Warwickshire, who had a very important win against Berkshire last week. It means Warwickshire are probably safe, but with Middlesex on a roll (they have won their last two games against Warwickshire and Sussex) they cannot afford to relax too much. Essex are also only one win just behind them, but they still have two games to play. They will have their work cut out against Sussex on Sunday, particularly if Sussex have won the day before against Berkshire. Their other game is against Surrey themselves, which is yet to be scheduled.
The final game on Sunday is Berkshire v Notts. Both will want to win to keep their slim hopes of reaching the title play-off game alive. It will be the last game for both sides this year, and both look destined to finish mid-table.
Division Two
In Division Two Somerset play their last game of the season against Devon and they will expect to win and provided they pick up a couple of bonus points that will be enough to see them through to the Div Two play-off match no matter what happens elsewhere. If league leaders Lancashire beat Durham on Sunday then it will be Lancashire who meet them there, even though they still have another game to play against Ireland on Monday.
Ireland's slim chances of getting to the play-off rest on them beating Staffordshire on Sunday and then Lancashire in their last game of the season on Monday, but Somerset will still have to trip up on Sunday against Devon. Its a longshot, but they have nothing to lose after having had a great season.
The final game on Sunday in Division Two is Worcestershire v Wales clash. Wales are scrapping it out at the bottom with Devon and Durham (all have one win to date). One win for any team in their last couple of games (Durham actually have three) could be the one that takes them out of the bottom two.
There will be a lot of frayed nerves throughout the country on Sunday afternoon and I will update this blog as soon as I can on Monday with results and consequences.
MD
12/VII/13
Monday, 8 July 2013
Lancs and Somerset heading for title showdown
Results went pretty much the way of form this weekend as the Division Two Championship heads towards its closing matches of the season
Lancashire beat Devon by 8 wickets
Devon have been having a horrible season and it got worse against unbeaten Lancashire. Having won the toss Devon decided to bat, but within 28 overs they had been skittled out by Lancashire for just 69, mainly in the shape of opening bowlers Jasmine Titmuss who claimed 5/22, and Kathyrn Cross (3/29). Only three of the Devon batsmen made it into double figures (just). Lancashire made sure they picked up full points wrapping up victory in the 18th over for the loss of just two wickets (both claimed by Jessie Jones). Laura Marshall top scored with 34.
Somerset beat Wales by 9 wickets
Wales have had almost as torrid a time as Devon this year and Somerset duly dispatched them, despite the lack of Anya Shrubsole in their team. Having elected to bat Wales stumbled along to 151 before they were all out in the 41st over. There was only one real partnership of any note (65 runs) between Gwenan Davies (50) and Megan Burton (24). Gemma Mumby (21) also enjoyed herself at number 10. The reliable Bath duo of Sophie Le Marchand (79*) and Sophie Luff (39*) saw Somerset comfortably home in 36 overs.
Worcestershire beat Staffordshire by 7 wickets
Staffordshire were bundled out for 140 in just over 44 overs with Thea Brookes taking 3/34. West Indian import Shanel Daley was top scorer with 35. Brookes was an early casualty in Worcestershire's reply, but Naomi Heywood (59*) and Clare Boycott (37) took the Worcester total passed 100 and Heywood hung around to finish the job off in 34 overs with the loss of just three wickets.
Cheshire beat Durham by 104 runs
Neither team have been particularly adept at amassing big totals this season and Cheshire's innings of 198 all out, based around a fine opening partnership of 92 between Jenny Halstead (44) and Helen Smith (40), always looked to be too many for Durham. They made it to 60/3 but that soon became 67/9 as 14 year old left arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone got to work. She claimed 4/14 in a controlled spell of 10 overs which included six maidens - five of them on the trot. Only opener Laura Ellison (26) and number 11 Lynn McDonnell (15*) put up any real resistance as Durham were bowled out for 94.
It is difficult to see beyond Lancashire and Somerset for the Division Two title. Somerset only have Devon to play and a slip-up there seems unlikely. Lancashire have Durham and Ireland to play and would have to lose both games badly to be in any trouble. Ireland are still theoretically in the hunt and must play Staffs as well as Lancashire.
At the bottom its a dogfight between Durham, Wales and Devon for the last two spots. Durham still have three to play including potential clashes with Wales and Devon. Their destiny may be in their own hands.
The current Division Two table looks like this.
MD
8/VII/13
Lancashire beat Devon by 8 wickets
Devon have been having a horrible season and it got worse against unbeaten Lancashire. Having won the toss Devon decided to bat, but within 28 overs they had been skittled out by Lancashire for just 69, mainly in the shape of opening bowlers Jasmine Titmuss who claimed 5/22, and Kathyrn Cross (3/29). Only three of the Devon batsmen made it into double figures (just). Lancashire made sure they picked up full points wrapping up victory in the 18th over for the loss of just two wickets (both claimed by Jessie Jones). Laura Marshall top scored with 34.
Somerset beat Wales by 9 wickets
Wales have had almost as torrid a time as Devon this year and Somerset duly dispatched them, despite the lack of Anya Shrubsole in their team. Having elected to bat Wales stumbled along to 151 before they were all out in the 41st over. There was only one real partnership of any note (65 runs) between Gwenan Davies (50) and Megan Burton (24). Gemma Mumby (21) also enjoyed herself at number 10. The reliable Bath duo of Sophie Le Marchand (79*) and Sophie Luff (39*) saw Somerset comfortably home in 36 overs.
Worcestershire beat Staffordshire by 7 wickets
Staffordshire were bundled out for 140 in just over 44 overs with Thea Brookes taking 3/34. West Indian import Shanel Daley was top scorer with 35. Brookes was an early casualty in Worcestershire's reply, but Naomi Heywood (59*) and Clare Boycott (37) took the Worcester total passed 100 and Heywood hung around to finish the job off in 34 overs with the loss of just three wickets.
Cheshire beat Durham by 104 runs
Neither team have been particularly adept at amassing big totals this season and Cheshire's innings of 198 all out, based around a fine opening partnership of 92 between Jenny Halstead (44) and Helen Smith (40), always looked to be too many for Durham. They made it to 60/3 but that soon became 67/9 as 14 year old left arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone got to work. She claimed 4/14 in a controlled spell of 10 overs which included six maidens - five of them on the trot. Only opener Laura Ellison (26) and number 11 Lynn McDonnell (15*) put up any real resistance as Durham were bowled out for 94.
It is difficult to see beyond Lancashire and Somerset for the Division Two title. Somerset only have Devon to play and a slip-up there seems unlikely. Lancashire have Durham and Ireland to play and would have to lose both games badly to be in any trouble. Ireland are still theoretically in the hunt and must play Staffs as well as Lancashire.
At the bottom its a dogfight between Durham, Wales and Devon for the last two spots. Durham still have three to play including potential clashes with Wales and Devon. Their destiny may be in their own hands.
The current Division Two table looks like this.
| Division Two | |||||||||||
| Team | P | W | L | T | A | C | win points | bonus bat | bonus bowl | total points | avge points |
| Lancashire | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 19 | 24 | 103 | 17.17 |
| Somerset | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 22 | 19 | 101 | 14.43 |
| Ireland | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 18 | 18 | 76 | 12.67 |
| Worcestershire | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 14 | 18 | 62 | 10.33 |
| Cheshire | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 | 17 | 21 | 68 | 9.71 |
| Staffordshire | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 17 | 14 | 61 | 8.71 |
| Durham | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 16 | 33 | 6.60 |
| Wales | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 16 | 13 | 39 | 6.50 |
| Devon | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 15 | 13 | 38 | 6.33 |
MD
8/VII/13
Kent march on as Sussex stumble to defeat
As Andy Murray dramatically clinched his first-ever Wimbledon title, there was drama of a different kind unfolding in Division One of the Women's County Championship. Kent are new County Championship leaders after they dispatched Surrey; Sussex have slipped to second place after losing to Middlesex; and Yorkshire smashed Notts out of contention for the play-offs with a resounding 10 wicket victory, which puts them in with a good chance of reaching the play-offs themselves - only the small matter of Kent to overcome in one of their games to come.
Kent beat Surrey by 146 runs
Kent amassed 271/5 in their 50 overs with their England top four all contributing - Charlotte Edwards (64), Tammy Beaumont (53), Lydia Greenway (50), and Laura Marsh (66). It was a long day in the field for the Surrey girls with only Sarah Clarke (3/54) enjoying any success. Surrey wilted under the pressure and the heat and were all out for 125 in the 39th over with Deanna Cooper claiming 3/31.
Middlesex beat Sussex by 45 runs
Sussex slipped to their second defeat of the season due in no small part to the fact that none of their four England players were in their squad for this game - Holly Colvin (broken thumb); Georgia Elwiss (injured back); Sarah Taylor (advised not to play by ECB due to niggles) and Arran Brindle (not available). But it was actually a lack of positive intent with the bat in the first half of their innings that ultimately cost them a game that they could have won. Middlesex had batted well to put 236 all out on the board, having used up their full quota of overs. Their score was based around a powerful innings of 75 from Aussie import Emma Inglis and useful early contributions from in-form Helen Stolle (32) and Cath Dalton (45). Once Inglis and Dalton had gone, it looked as though Sussex may restrict Middlesex to less than 200, but Anna Nicholls (31) and the tail ensured their got well passed this mark. Freya Davies picked up 3/46 for Sussex. For the first 25 overs Sussex never looked up for the chase, reaching just 69/2 at the halfway stage. It was only when 17 year old Paige Scholfield joined skipper Alexia Walker at 98/5 that some life was breathed into the dying innings. Walker smashed 52 off 53 balls and Scholfield 48 off 45 balls as they added 74 for the sixth wicket in a 10 over spree that had Middlesex worried. But Middlesex kept their nerve and when both had gone Sussex limped to 191 all out in the last over.
Warwickshire beat Berkshire by 4 wickets
Berkshire managed to get to 165 all out in just over 44 overs thanks almost entirely due to Heather Knight, who carried her bat for an unbeaten 86 off 146 balls. She received some assistance from Alice MacLeod (38), but their second wicket partnership of 78 was the only substantial one of the innings. Isabelle Watson claimed 3/36. Warwickshire's winning response of 166/6 was built around a patient knock of 75 from 138 balls from opener Elizabeth Smart. She was the last wicket to fall with just 17 runs needed for victory, but by then she had done her job.
Yorkshire beat Nottinghamshire by 10 wickets
Notts could only manage to put 174/7 on the board off their 50 overs with Helen Smit (50) top scoring and openers Olivia Thornton (40) and Sonia Odedra (35) making useful contributions. Aimee Simms (3/24) and Danni Hazell (2/25) both bowled miserly 10 over spells for Yorkshire. Lauren Winfield (76*) and Jess Watson (84*) made light work of the task ahead of them, knocking off the runs with 11 overs still in hand, despite Notts using 9 different bowlers at them.
That leaves the Division One table looking like this
Division One Table
Kent will ensure they make the County Championship play-off if they beat Yorkshire next week, but should they lose they will have to wait for Sussex and Yorkshire to play their last games (Sussex play Essex and Berks; Yorkshire have Kent and Middlesex). Should they win both games then all three teams will finish with two losses and it will come down to average points.Theoretically Notts and Berks are not out of play-off contention, if both Sussex and Yorkshire slip up in either of their last two games and they win theirs. All would then be on three losses and again it would be down to average points per game.
At the bottom Surrey need to conjure a win or two from their last two games against Warwickshire and Essex. Essex also have Sussex to play, so their game with Surrey may be the big showdown. Middlesex have won their last two games and may upset Yorkshire's charge for the top and keep themselves out of the relegation play-offs.
MD
8/VII/13
Kent beat Surrey by 146 runs
Kent amassed 271/5 in their 50 overs with their England top four all contributing - Charlotte Edwards (64), Tammy Beaumont (53), Lydia Greenway (50), and Laura Marsh (66). It was a long day in the field for the Surrey girls with only Sarah Clarke (3/54) enjoying any success. Surrey wilted under the pressure and the heat and were all out for 125 in the 39th over with Deanna Cooper claiming 3/31.
Middlesex beat Sussex by 45 runs
Sussex slipped to their second defeat of the season due in no small part to the fact that none of their four England players were in their squad for this game - Holly Colvin (broken thumb); Georgia Elwiss (injured back); Sarah Taylor (advised not to play by ECB due to niggles) and Arran Brindle (not available). But it was actually a lack of positive intent with the bat in the first half of their innings that ultimately cost them a game that they could have won. Middlesex had batted well to put 236 all out on the board, having used up their full quota of overs. Their score was based around a powerful innings of 75 from Aussie import Emma Inglis and useful early contributions from in-form Helen Stolle (32) and Cath Dalton (45). Once Inglis and Dalton had gone, it looked as though Sussex may restrict Middlesex to less than 200, but Anna Nicholls (31) and the tail ensured their got well passed this mark. Freya Davies picked up 3/46 for Sussex. For the first 25 overs Sussex never looked up for the chase, reaching just 69/2 at the halfway stage. It was only when 17 year old Paige Scholfield joined skipper Alexia Walker at 98/5 that some life was breathed into the dying innings. Walker smashed 52 off 53 balls and Scholfield 48 off 45 balls as they added 74 for the sixth wicket in a 10 over spree that had Middlesex worried. But Middlesex kept their nerve and when both had gone Sussex limped to 191 all out in the last over.
Warwickshire beat Berkshire by 4 wickets
Berkshire managed to get to 165 all out in just over 44 overs thanks almost entirely due to Heather Knight, who carried her bat for an unbeaten 86 off 146 balls. She received some assistance from Alice MacLeod (38), but their second wicket partnership of 78 was the only substantial one of the innings. Isabelle Watson claimed 3/36. Warwickshire's winning response of 166/6 was built around a patient knock of 75 from 138 balls from opener Elizabeth Smart. She was the last wicket to fall with just 17 runs needed for victory, but by then she had done her job.
Yorkshire beat Nottinghamshire by 10 wickets
Notts could only manage to put 174/7 on the board off their 50 overs with Helen Smit (50) top scoring and openers Olivia Thornton (40) and Sonia Odedra (35) making useful contributions. Aimee Simms (3/24) and Danni Hazell (2/25) both bowled miserly 10 over spells for Yorkshire. Lauren Winfield (76*) and Jess Watson (84*) made light work of the task ahead of them, knocking off the runs with 11 overs still in hand, despite Notts using 9 different bowlers at them.
That leaves the Division One table looking like this
Division One Table
| Team | P | W | L | T | A | C | win points | bonus bat | bonus bowl | total points | avge points |
| Kent | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 60 | 24 | 19 | 103 | 14.71 |
| Sussex | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 21 | 20 | 81 | 13.50 |
| Yorkshire | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 17 | 20 | 77 | 12.83 |
| Nottinghamshire | 7 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40 | 23 | 18 | 81 | 11.57 |
| Berkshire | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 17 | 16 | 63 | 10.50 |
| Warwickshire | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 17 | 18 | 65 | 9.29 |
| Middlesex | 7 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 25 | 16 | 61 | 8.71 |
| Essex | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 15 | 14 | 49 | 8.17 |
| Surrey | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 18 | 15 | 43 | 7.17 |
Kent will ensure they make the County Championship play-off if they beat Yorkshire next week, but should they lose they will have to wait for Sussex and Yorkshire to play their last games (Sussex play Essex and Berks; Yorkshire have Kent and Middlesex). Should they win both games then all three teams will finish with two losses and it will come down to average points.Theoretically Notts and Berks are not out of play-off contention, if both Sussex and Yorkshire slip up in either of their last two games and they win theirs. All would then be on three losses and again it would be down to average points per game.
At the bottom Surrey need to conjure a win or two from their last two games against Warwickshire and Essex. Essex also have Sussex to play, so their game with Surrey may be the big showdown. Middlesex have won their last two games and may upset Yorkshire's charge for the top and keep themselves out of the relegation play-offs.
MD
8/VII/13
Friday, 5 July 2013
Just two weekends of the County Championship to go!
As the England women take on the Pakistanis in two T20s today at Loughborough the rest of the county circuit players are gearing up for another round of County Championship matches on Sunday. This is the penultimate weekend of County Championship fixtures and things at the top and the bottom of Divisions One and Two are still very much up for grabs - take a look at the league tables here - http://womens-cricket.blogspot.co.uk/p/womens-county-championship-league.html
Division One
It looks like Sussex and Kent are heading to the Division One play-off, but both have tricky fixtures this weekend.
Sussex take on a resurgent Middlesex, fresh from their resounding eight wicket win over Warwickshire two weeks ago. It may be their only win to date, but their top order have batted consistently throughout the season with Natasha Miles, Cath Dalton and Helen Stolle all in the top 10 run-getters in the Division. They have made decent totals but not been able to bowl out their opponents. Sussex have been strong, but are severely hampered by injuries to key players. This could be a tight game.
Kent are at home to Surrey who have a similar problem to Middlesex - they can get runs, but cannot restrict the opposition. Nat Sciver will be on a high from her England performances this week and a big knock from her, and maybe some wickets too, could mean Kent won't have it all their own way, but Kent will be confident.
Third-placed Notts take on Yorkshire, who could leap-frog over them if they win. Whichever team loses is probably out of contention for the top two places. Notts were riding high, but suffered at the hands of Sussex two weeks ago. Yorkshire have lacked consistency - they beat Sussex, but lost badly to Berkshire and Warwickshire with some fragile batting. I think this is likely to be an edgy affair and one good knock could win it for either side.
Warwickshire take on Berkshire, who are still in with a shout of the top two places, having only lost two games this season to Kent and Essex. Warwickshire have struggled to put decent scores on the board and Berkshire should be favourites to win this one.
Division Two
Lancashire make the trip down to Devon in great form. They have won five out of five and should not really slip up against Devon who have had a torrid season. Devon have the potential to cause an upset though and they really need a win. I think this could be a good game to watch in the Devon sun.
Second-placed Somerset are at home to Wales and will be looking to keep the pressure on Lancashire and keep themselves above Ireland (who don't play this weekend). Wales are battling it out at the bottom of the league, but are unlikely to get much change out of a well-drilled Somerset team.
Staffs take on Worcestershire in a mid-table clash. Staffs have struggled for runs this season and Worcestershire will hope to capitalise on this and sneak up a place in the league.
Durham meet Cheshire, who have performed admirably this season. Both sides have struggled with the bat and this could be a low-scoring affair.
MD
5/VII/13
Division One
It looks like Sussex and Kent are heading to the Division One play-off, but both have tricky fixtures this weekend.
Sussex take on a resurgent Middlesex, fresh from their resounding eight wicket win over Warwickshire two weeks ago. It may be their only win to date, but their top order have batted consistently throughout the season with Natasha Miles, Cath Dalton and Helen Stolle all in the top 10 run-getters in the Division. They have made decent totals but not been able to bowl out their opponents. Sussex have been strong, but are severely hampered by injuries to key players. This could be a tight game.
Kent are at home to Surrey who have a similar problem to Middlesex - they can get runs, but cannot restrict the opposition. Nat Sciver will be on a high from her England performances this week and a big knock from her, and maybe some wickets too, could mean Kent won't have it all their own way, but Kent will be confident.
Third-placed Notts take on Yorkshire, who could leap-frog over them if they win. Whichever team loses is probably out of contention for the top two places. Notts were riding high, but suffered at the hands of Sussex two weeks ago. Yorkshire have lacked consistency - they beat Sussex, but lost badly to Berkshire and Warwickshire with some fragile batting. I think this is likely to be an edgy affair and one good knock could win it for either side.
Warwickshire take on Berkshire, who are still in with a shout of the top two places, having only lost two games this season to Kent and Essex. Warwickshire have struggled to put decent scores on the board and Berkshire should be favourites to win this one.
Division Two
Lancashire make the trip down to Devon in great form. They have won five out of five and should not really slip up against Devon who have had a torrid season. Devon have the potential to cause an upset though and they really need a win. I think this could be a good game to watch in the Devon sun.
Second-placed Somerset are at home to Wales and will be looking to keep the pressure on Lancashire and keep themselves above Ireland (who don't play this weekend). Wales are battling it out at the bottom of the league, but are unlikely to get much change out of a well-drilled Somerset team.
Staffs take on Worcestershire in a mid-table clash. Staffs have struggled for runs this season and Worcestershire will hope to capitalise on this and sneak up a place in the league.
Durham meet Cheshire, who have performed admirably this season. Both sides have struggled with the bat and this could be a low-scoring affair.
MD
5/VII/13
Monday, 24 June 2013
Lancs take stranglehold on Div 2
After another great weekend of games it looks like Lancashire and Somerset are heading for the top of the table decider and a chance at getting into Div 1 next year, while Devon, Wales and Durham slug it out at the other end of the table. Here are the match details:-
Lancashire beat Wales by 80 runs
Lancashire made it five wins out of five with a convincing effort against Wales, who have struggled so far this season. Asked to bat Lancashire scored a respectable, if unspectacular, 198/8 based around solid knocks from Kate Cross (58), Natalie Brown (37) and Emma Lamb (35). Rebecca Struthers was the best of the Welsh bowlers with 3/30. But Wales were soon in trouble in reply losing their top three batsmen with just 28 runs on the board. Megan Burton (42) and Gwenan Davies (24) did their best to restore some sanity, but got little support and Wales slumped to their fourth defeat in five games when they were all out in the 43rd over for just 118. Bhumika Doshi mopped up the tail with a quick 3/9 off just 16 balls.
Lancashire are comfortably top of the league and seem unlikely to relinquish their hold on one of the playoff places.
Wales are in the dogfight at the bottom of the table with just one win to their name and some tough fixtures to come. They will need to find some form and quickly.
Games to play
Lancs - v Devon, v Durham and v Ireland
Wales - v Somerset and v Worcestershire
Cheshire beat Devon by 15 runsA vital clash at the bottom of the table went the way of Cheshire thanks to a heroic eighth wicket stand of 102 from Lauren Griffiths (59) and Kate Harvey (44*). They rescued Cheshire from 70/7 to end on 172/9 and set Devon, who have struggled to win games they should have this year, a competitive target. Rebecca Donahue (3/27) and Aylish Cranstone (3/30) were the main wicket-takers for Wales. Cranstone (48) and the experienced Rosalie Birch (31) took Devon to 81/1 before Birch ran herself out and when Cranstone fell at 102 the Devon boat began to rock. Spinners Griffiths (3/25) and Raffaella Rodighiero (3/37) gradually whittled their way through the lower order and Devon's boat finally sank with 11 balls left of their innings, and with 15 runs still required.
Cheshire will be breathing a little easier after this win, but will need to beat bottom of the table Durham in their final game to be sure of safety from the relegation playoffs.
Devon on the other hand still have the top two teams in the league to play so their relegation worries remain. A win or big bonus points for Wales or Durham below them and they may be playing again at the end of the season to keep their place in Div 2.
Games to play
Cheshire - v Durham
Devon - v Lancashire and v Somerset
Somerset beat Staffordshire by 7 wicketsSecond-placed Somerset completed a comfortable win over Staffordshire in a game reduced to 36 overs per side, thanks to a mature knock of 55 from former England star and team manager Caroline Atkins. Staffs had scored a slow 130/6 with Charlotte Whyle hitting 40. Atkins and Sophie Luff (25) kept Somerset on course for the win, before they both fell in quick succession. But it was a minor blip and Somerset got home with 16 balls to spare.
Somerset continue to edge out Ireland for the second playoff place at the top of the league and finish with games against two teams at the bottom of the league.
Staffordshire look destined to finish mid-table but will be hoping to finish on a high in their last two games.
Games to play
Somerset - v Wales and v Devon
Staffs - v Worcestershire and v Ireland
Ireland beat Worcestershire by 7 wicketsIreland kept up the pressure on Somerset with a convincing win of their own against a Worcester team that have not lived-up to last year's potential. They skittled them out for 147 after an opening stand of 59 in which Thea Brookes (34) was the main contributor. After her departure wickets fell at regular intervals to Melissa Scott-Hayward (3/33) and the rest of the Irish bowlers. Isobel Joyce (44) and Kim Garth (40*) set up the win with Cecelia Joyce (37) also contributing as Ireland lost just three wickets in the chase and won with 14 overs in hand.
Ireland will need to win their last two games and hope that Somerset slip up in order to make the playoffs, unless Lancashire implode at the top of the table.
Worcestershire will look to finish strongly against two counties currently below them in the table, but mid-table is where they are now likely to finish.Games to play
Ireland - v Staffs and v Lancashire
Worcestershire - v Staffs and v Wales
MD
24/VI/13
Lancashire beat Wales by 80 runs
Lancashire made it five wins out of five with a convincing effort against Wales, who have struggled so far this season. Asked to bat Lancashire scored a respectable, if unspectacular, 198/8 based around solid knocks from Kate Cross (58), Natalie Brown (37) and Emma Lamb (35). Rebecca Struthers was the best of the Welsh bowlers with 3/30. But Wales were soon in trouble in reply losing their top three batsmen with just 28 runs on the board. Megan Burton (42) and Gwenan Davies (24) did their best to restore some sanity, but got little support and Wales slumped to their fourth defeat in five games when they were all out in the 43rd over for just 118. Bhumika Doshi mopped up the tail with a quick 3/9 off just 16 balls.
Lancashire are comfortably top of the league and seem unlikely to relinquish their hold on one of the playoff places.
Wales are in the dogfight at the bottom of the table with just one win to their name and some tough fixtures to come. They will need to find some form and quickly.
Games to play
Lancs - v Devon, v Durham and v Ireland
Wales - v Somerset and v Worcestershire
Cheshire beat Devon by 15 runsA vital clash at the bottom of the table went the way of Cheshire thanks to a heroic eighth wicket stand of 102 from Lauren Griffiths (59) and Kate Harvey (44*). They rescued Cheshire from 70/7 to end on 172/9 and set Devon, who have struggled to win games they should have this year, a competitive target. Rebecca Donahue (3/27) and Aylish Cranstone (3/30) were the main wicket-takers for Wales. Cranstone (48) and the experienced Rosalie Birch (31) took Devon to 81/1 before Birch ran herself out and when Cranstone fell at 102 the Devon boat began to rock. Spinners Griffiths (3/25) and Raffaella Rodighiero (3/37) gradually whittled their way through the lower order and Devon's boat finally sank with 11 balls left of their innings, and with 15 runs still required.
Cheshire will be breathing a little easier after this win, but will need to beat bottom of the table Durham in their final game to be sure of safety from the relegation playoffs.
Devon on the other hand still have the top two teams in the league to play so their relegation worries remain. A win or big bonus points for Wales or Durham below them and they may be playing again at the end of the season to keep their place in Div 2.
Games to play
Cheshire - v Durham
Devon - v Lancashire and v Somerset
Somerset beat Staffordshire by 7 wicketsSecond-placed Somerset completed a comfortable win over Staffordshire in a game reduced to 36 overs per side, thanks to a mature knock of 55 from former England star and team manager Caroline Atkins. Staffs had scored a slow 130/6 with Charlotte Whyle hitting 40. Atkins and Sophie Luff (25) kept Somerset on course for the win, before they both fell in quick succession. But it was a minor blip and Somerset got home with 16 balls to spare.
Somerset continue to edge out Ireland for the second playoff place at the top of the league and finish with games against two teams at the bottom of the league.
Staffordshire look destined to finish mid-table but will be hoping to finish on a high in their last two games.
Games to play
Somerset - v Wales and v Devon
Staffs - v Worcestershire and v Ireland
Ireland beat Worcestershire by 7 wicketsIreland kept up the pressure on Somerset with a convincing win of their own against a Worcester team that have not lived-up to last year's potential. They skittled them out for 147 after an opening stand of 59 in which Thea Brookes (34) was the main contributor. After her departure wickets fell at regular intervals to Melissa Scott-Hayward (3/33) and the rest of the Irish bowlers. Isobel Joyce (44) and Kim Garth (40*) set up the win with Cecelia Joyce (37) also contributing as Ireland lost just three wickets in the chase and won with 14 overs in hand.
Ireland will need to win their last two games and hope that Somerset slip up in order to make the playoffs, unless Lancashire implode at the top of the table.
Worcestershire will look to finish strongly against two counties currently below them in the table, but mid-table is where they are now likely to finish.Games to play
Ireland - v Staffs and v Lancashire
Worcestershire - v Staffs and v Wales
MD
24/VI/13
Sussex go top of Div One
As the Women's County Championship gets to the sharp end of the season (despite the fact that it is only June!), there were some significant results at both the top and the bottom of Division One.
Sussex beat Notts by 114 runs
Top of the table Notts were dispatched by Sussex in a clinical performance which showed Sussex's strength in depth. Georgia Elwiss (98) missed out on her second century of the season by just two runs as she became one of five run out victims in the Sussex innings. She had already watched Georgia Adams, Arran Brindle and Izi Noakes perish in similar fashion at the other end (none her fault), before she clipped a ball to midwicket and was herself run out by a direct hit. The returning Sarah Taylor (33) looked in good touch before being inexplicably stumped and Sussex closed on 227/9, perhaps 30 runs short of where they might have expected to be. But it was plenty of runs. Notts struggled to score against the pace of Noakes and Freya Davies, and once Aussie import Olivia Thornton (40) and Sonia Odedra (28) had gone, and Davies had run out the dangerous Danni Wyatt, Notts offered very little resistance. Off spinner Rebecca Silk mopped up with 3/7 as Notts subsided to 113 all out.
Sussex leapfrogged over Notts to go top of the table. They have a double-header weekend in three weeks time against Berkshire and Essex which will be decisive in their campaign to reach the Championship playoffs.
Notts will need to win their last two games and hope that either Sussex or Kent slip up if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the play-off. But Yorkshire and Berkshire are also in the mix, having also lost only two games so far.
Games to play
Sussex - v Middx, v Berks and v Essex
Notts - v Yorkshire and v Berkshire
Kent beat Essex by 8 wickets
Kent made light work of defeating Essex after they had inserted them and then restricted them to just 169/8 in their 50 overs. The top six Essex bats all got into double figures, but at generally slow-scoring rates, and only Lauren Onojaife (50) went on to make a significant score. All the Kent bowlers were economical with Alice Davidson-Richards, Grace Gibbs and Charlotte Pape all chipping in with a couple of wickets each. In reply Tammy Beaumont (78) and Charlotte Edwards (59) set up the win with an opening stand of 126 and the job was finished off by Lydia Greenway (14*) and Laura Marsh (18*) with 11 overs in the bag.
Kent's victory takes them to second in the league behind Sussex and they look well placed to make the Championship playoff. But Yorkshire in Yorkshire may be a tough game to finish on, and they can take nothing for granted
Essex are not out of the woods at the bottom of the league. Their rearranged clash with Surrey, if it happens, could be a very significant one.
Games to play
Kent - v Surrey and v Yorkshire
Essex - v Sussex and v Surrey
Middlesex beat Warwickshire by 8 wickets
Middlesex have given themselves a lifeline at the bottom of the league with their first victory of the season over an inconsistent Warwickshire team. Warwickshire could only stumble to 114/9 in their 50 overs with Ria Raval taking 3/15. Only three Warwickshire players got into double figures. Middlesex knocked off the runs with just two wickets down. Natasha Miles (44*) and Catherine Dalton (34*) saw them home.
Middlesex have two tough games to go and they will struggle to avoid finishing in the bottom two (remember bottom two play-off and loser plays Div 2 winner to see who goes into which league). Warwickshire really need to win just one of their last two games to remain in Div 1 for a second season.
Games to play
Middlesex - v Sussex and v Yorkshire
Warwickshire - v Berkshire and v Surrey
Berkshire beat Surrey by 10 runs
Berkshire sneaked past a spirited Surrey effort to chase down 213 to win. Invited to bat Berkshire made 212/9 in their 50 overs with Heather Knight (45) again leading from the front. She got a bit more support than usual with contributions from almost all the batsmen, but chiefly Alice MacLeod (36) and Alex Rogers (34). For Surrey Nat Sciver (2/52) and Sarah Clarke (2/37) were the main wicket-takers. Surrey's reply looked in good shape thanks to openers Kirstie White (53) and Hannah Jones (34) and at 118/1 they were probably favourites, but two wickets changed the complexion of the game and when Susie Rowe (29) went at 177/5 Surrey's valiant effort petered out and they finished 10 runs short on 202/8.
Having lost only two games so far Berkshire are not out of the playoff picture, but they are likely to need to win all of their last three games, which may be a tall order.
Surrey too have three to play and the rearranged game with Essex, if it happens, may end up being crucial, if they can't sneak a win before then.
Games to play
Berks - v Warwickshire, v Sussex and v Notts
Surrey - v Kent, v Warwickshire and v Essex
MD
24/VI/13
Sussex beat Notts by 114 runs
Top of the table Notts were dispatched by Sussex in a clinical performance which showed Sussex's strength in depth. Georgia Elwiss (98) missed out on her second century of the season by just two runs as she became one of five run out victims in the Sussex innings. She had already watched Georgia Adams, Arran Brindle and Izi Noakes perish in similar fashion at the other end (none her fault), before she clipped a ball to midwicket and was herself run out by a direct hit. The returning Sarah Taylor (33) looked in good touch before being inexplicably stumped and Sussex closed on 227/9, perhaps 30 runs short of where they might have expected to be. But it was plenty of runs. Notts struggled to score against the pace of Noakes and Freya Davies, and once Aussie import Olivia Thornton (40) and Sonia Odedra (28) had gone, and Davies had run out the dangerous Danni Wyatt, Notts offered very little resistance. Off spinner Rebecca Silk mopped up with 3/7 as Notts subsided to 113 all out.
Sussex leapfrogged over Notts to go top of the table. They have a double-header weekend in three weeks time against Berkshire and Essex which will be decisive in their campaign to reach the Championship playoffs.
Notts will need to win their last two games and hope that either Sussex or Kent slip up if they are to have any chance of qualifying for the play-off. But Yorkshire and Berkshire are also in the mix, having also lost only two games so far.
Games to play
Sussex - v Middx, v Berks and v Essex
Notts - v Yorkshire and v Berkshire
Kent beat Essex by 8 wickets
Kent made light work of defeating Essex after they had inserted them and then restricted them to just 169/8 in their 50 overs. The top six Essex bats all got into double figures, but at generally slow-scoring rates, and only Lauren Onojaife (50) went on to make a significant score. All the Kent bowlers were economical with Alice Davidson-Richards, Grace Gibbs and Charlotte Pape all chipping in with a couple of wickets each. In reply Tammy Beaumont (78) and Charlotte Edwards (59) set up the win with an opening stand of 126 and the job was finished off by Lydia Greenway (14*) and Laura Marsh (18*) with 11 overs in the bag.
Kent's victory takes them to second in the league behind Sussex and they look well placed to make the Championship playoff. But Yorkshire in Yorkshire may be a tough game to finish on, and they can take nothing for granted
Essex are not out of the woods at the bottom of the league. Their rearranged clash with Surrey, if it happens, could be a very significant one.
Games to play
Kent - v Surrey and v Yorkshire
Essex - v Sussex and v Surrey
Middlesex beat Warwickshire by 8 wickets
Middlesex have given themselves a lifeline at the bottom of the league with their first victory of the season over an inconsistent Warwickshire team. Warwickshire could only stumble to 114/9 in their 50 overs with Ria Raval taking 3/15. Only three Warwickshire players got into double figures. Middlesex knocked off the runs with just two wickets down. Natasha Miles (44*) and Catherine Dalton (34*) saw them home.
Middlesex have two tough games to go and they will struggle to avoid finishing in the bottom two (remember bottom two play-off and loser plays Div 2 winner to see who goes into which league). Warwickshire really need to win just one of their last two games to remain in Div 1 for a second season.
Games to play
Middlesex - v Sussex and v Yorkshire
Warwickshire - v Berkshire and v Surrey
Berkshire beat Surrey by 10 runs
Berkshire sneaked past a spirited Surrey effort to chase down 213 to win. Invited to bat Berkshire made 212/9 in their 50 overs with Heather Knight (45) again leading from the front. She got a bit more support than usual with contributions from almost all the batsmen, but chiefly Alice MacLeod (36) and Alex Rogers (34). For Surrey Nat Sciver (2/52) and Sarah Clarke (2/37) were the main wicket-takers. Surrey's reply looked in good shape thanks to openers Kirstie White (53) and Hannah Jones (34) and at 118/1 they were probably favourites, but two wickets changed the complexion of the game and when Susie Rowe (29) went at 177/5 Surrey's valiant effort petered out and they finished 10 runs short on 202/8.
Having lost only two games so far Berkshire are not out of the playoff picture, but they are likely to need to win all of their last three games, which may be a tall order.
Surrey too have three to play and the rearranged game with Essex, if it happens, may end up being crucial, if they can't sneak a win before then.
Games to play
Berks - v Warwickshire, v Sussex and v Notts
Surrey - v Kent, v Warwickshire and v Essex
MD
24/VI/13
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
Big games as County Championship reaches critical phase
With just three games to play for most teams, there are some massive games in the Women's County Championship top two divisions this weekend.
Division One (11am starts)
Essex v Kent at Billericay CC - In a repeat of last year's final Kent will need to bounce back after their six wicket defeat to Sussex in their last game if they are not to lose touch at the top of the table, and maintain a chance of defending their champion's crown. Laura Marsh seems likely to be back in the team and will strengthen their batting, although it remains to be seen if she will bowl. Essex lost the final by seven wickets last year. They will be hoping for better having wins over Berkshire and Middlesex under their belts to date.
Games still to play -
Kent - Surrey and Yorkshire
Essex - Sussex, and Surrey
Middlesex v Warwickshire at Edmonton CC - Middlesex are yet to get off the mark this season and Warwickshire are not likely to be an easy first win, but if Middlesex can bat first and put a decent score on the board, they might just be able to pull it off. This could be a tight one.
Games still to play -
Middlesex - Sussex and Yorkshire
Warwickshire - Berkshire and Surrey
Surrey v Berkshire at Reeds School - Berkshire's skipper Heather Knight is the Division One top run scorer at the moment, with two big hundreds in four knocks. If she goes well then so do her team. This could be a big scoring game and it could go either way, but my money would be on Berkshire.
Games still to play -
Surrey - Kent, Warwickshire and Essex
Berkshire - Warwickshire, Sussex and Notts
Sussex v Nottinghamshire at St James Montefiore - This is the big clash of the weekend as the current top two take on each other. A win for either side will give them a great chance of making the final given their remaining fixtures. Danni Wyatt has been in good form with the bat for her adopted county and hers will be a key wicket. Sussex are still without Holly Colvin, but will be glad to see Sarah Taylor back and batting at three. Early wickets will be key for both teams.
Games still to play -
Sussex - Middlesex, Berkshire and Essex
Notts - Yorkshire and Berkshire
Yorkshire have no fixture this weekend but their remaining fixtures are - Notts, Kent and Middlesex
Division Two (11am starts)
Wales v Lancashire at Llandysul CC - Wales take on the undefeated Lancastrians and will have their work cut out. No side has scored more than 109 runs against Lancashire with wickets shared around their varied bowling attack. Wales' only win so far has been against Devon and this will be a much stiffer task.
Games still to play -
Wales - Somerset and Worcestershire
Lancashire - Devon, Durham and Ireland
Devon v Cheshire at Brixham CC - A must-win game for both teams, who both only have one tick in the win column to date. Devon have underperformed, but finally got their season underway with a win over high-flying Staffordshire last time out. If the side batting first can put runs on the board, then the pressure will be on. Cheshire did it against Wales, but that is the only time so far this season.
Games still to play -
Devon - Lancashire and Somerset
Cheshire - Durham
Staffordshire v Somerset at Himley - Table-toppers Somerset were mauled by Lancashire in their last match, being bowled out for just 60, but this may just have been a bad day at the office. I'd expect them to bounce back strongly and Staffordshire may suffer.
Games still to play -
Staffordshire - Worcestershire and Ireland
Somerset - Wales and Devon
Worcestershire v Ireland at Old Elizabethans CC - Ireland had been going well but then crashed to defeat against Durham, to give them their first win of the season. Both teams have been a bit inconsistent over the season so far, which makes this a difficult one to call. A win for either team would keep them in the hunt for the play-offs.
Games still to play -
Worcestershire - Staffordshire and Wales
Ireland - Staffordshire & Lancashire
Durham have no game this weekend but they have the following fixtures to play - Cheshire and Lancashire
MD
19/VI/13
Division One (11am starts)
Essex v Kent at Billericay CC - In a repeat of last year's final Kent will need to bounce back after their six wicket defeat to Sussex in their last game if they are not to lose touch at the top of the table, and maintain a chance of defending their champion's crown. Laura Marsh seems likely to be back in the team and will strengthen their batting, although it remains to be seen if she will bowl. Essex lost the final by seven wickets last year. They will be hoping for better having wins over Berkshire and Middlesex under their belts to date.
Games still to play -
Kent - Surrey and Yorkshire
Essex - Sussex, and Surrey
Middlesex v Warwickshire at Edmonton CC - Middlesex are yet to get off the mark this season and Warwickshire are not likely to be an easy first win, but if Middlesex can bat first and put a decent score on the board, they might just be able to pull it off. This could be a tight one.
Games still to play -
Middlesex - Sussex and Yorkshire
Warwickshire - Berkshire and Surrey
Surrey v Berkshire at Reeds School - Berkshire's skipper Heather Knight is the Division One top run scorer at the moment, with two big hundreds in four knocks. If she goes well then so do her team. This could be a big scoring game and it could go either way, but my money would be on Berkshire.
Games still to play -
Surrey - Kent, Warwickshire and Essex
Berkshire - Warwickshire, Sussex and Notts
Sussex v Nottinghamshire at St James Montefiore - This is the big clash of the weekend as the current top two take on each other. A win for either side will give them a great chance of making the final given their remaining fixtures. Danni Wyatt has been in good form with the bat for her adopted county and hers will be a key wicket. Sussex are still without Holly Colvin, but will be glad to see Sarah Taylor back and batting at three. Early wickets will be key for both teams.
Games still to play -
Sussex - Middlesex, Berkshire and Essex
Notts - Yorkshire and Berkshire
Yorkshire have no fixture this weekend but their remaining fixtures are - Notts, Kent and Middlesex
Division Two (11am starts)
Wales v Lancashire at Llandysul CC - Wales take on the undefeated Lancastrians and will have their work cut out. No side has scored more than 109 runs against Lancashire with wickets shared around their varied bowling attack. Wales' only win so far has been against Devon and this will be a much stiffer task.
Games still to play -
Wales - Somerset and Worcestershire
Lancashire - Devon, Durham and Ireland
Devon v Cheshire at Brixham CC - A must-win game for both teams, who both only have one tick in the win column to date. Devon have underperformed, but finally got their season underway with a win over high-flying Staffordshire last time out. If the side batting first can put runs on the board, then the pressure will be on. Cheshire did it against Wales, but that is the only time so far this season.
Games still to play -
Devon - Lancashire and Somerset
Cheshire - Durham
Staffordshire v Somerset at Himley - Table-toppers Somerset were mauled by Lancashire in their last match, being bowled out for just 60, but this may just have been a bad day at the office. I'd expect them to bounce back strongly and Staffordshire may suffer.
Games still to play -
Staffordshire - Worcestershire and Ireland
Somerset - Wales and Devon
Worcestershire v Ireland at Old Elizabethans CC - Ireland had been going well but then crashed to defeat against Durham, to give them their first win of the season. Both teams have been a bit inconsistent over the season so far, which makes this a difficult one to call. A win for either team would keep them in the hunt for the play-offs.
Games still to play -
Worcestershire - Staffordshire and Wales
Ireland - Staffordshire & Lancashire
Durham have no game this weekend but they have the following fixtures to play - Cheshire and Lancashire
MD
19/VI/13
Tuesday, 28 May 2013
Notts get most out of BH Double Header
On a weekend when either Kent or Sussex felt they could have taken charge of the Division One race to the Championship play-off, it was actually Nottinghamshire who made the most of their chances, securing two wins out of two over Warwickshire and Middlesex (and going to the top of the league), while Sussex tripped up against Yorkshire before beating Kent, in their only game of the weekend. It means that all three teams have now lost one game with Notts due to play Sussex in the next round of fixtures in four week's time.[The next three weeks see the top players in England playing in the Super 4s competition]
[up-to-date Div One Table is here - http://womens-cricket.blogspot.co.uk/p/womens-county-championship-league.html]
Yorkshire beat Sussex by 7 runs. Sussex seemed to have this game under control after they restricted Yorkshire to a very gettable 179/9 in their 50 overs. In reply Sussex were cruising along through Arran Brindle (51) and Georgia Elwiss (36), but without too much regard for the run-rate which grew steadily as the middle overs slipped by. In the 43rd over Sussex lost Brindle and a selfless Alexia Walker (0). Thirty nine were still needed off seven overs. The 44th over produced seven runs and another wicket, but only seven runs came off the next three overs, plus the loss of Hannah Phelps (34). Twenty five were still needed off three overs, but young Beatrice Firth (2/21 off 10 overs) and Laura Spragg (2/40) bowled tight lines to allow Sussex to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
Surrey beat Middlesex by 15 runs in the battle at the bottom of the league for a first win of the season. Surrey clocked up 211/7 in their 50 overs with solid contributions from most batsmen - Kirsty White (42) and Natalie Sciver (32) top-scored, but there were also 42 wides. Danni Warren was the main wicket-taker with 3/32. At 132/2 Middlesex were on track with Beth Morgan (58) and Emma Inglis (44) going well, but they fell within a few runs of each other and Middlesex slipped to 156/8. Anna Nicholls (18) and Ria Raval (18*) did what they could to keep the chase going but fell 15 runs short.
Essex beat Berkshire by 29 runs. Berkshire will have been reasonably happy to have restricted Essex to just 175/9 in their 50 overs. Only Lauren Onojaife (58) really got going as Sherisa Gumbs (3/30) and Heather Knight (3/36) weighed in with some wickets. In reply Berkshire had made it to 64 without loss before Knight went for 27. They then took the score to 85 before losing four quick wickets for just six runs. Emily Gerke (26*) did her best to hold the Berkshire innings together but little support and the innings petered out on 146 in the 48th over.
Nottinghamshire beat Warwickshire by 7 wickets. Warwickshire set Notts a target of 193 after they were bowled out for 192, thanks in the main part to 72 from Kayleigh Alsop. Danni Wyatt picked up 4/16 and Lucy Maxwell 3/23. Notts made light of the target romping home with 7 wickets in hand with Jenny Gunn 64 not out and Danni Wyatt making 58.
Sussex beat Kent by 6 wickets. After their defeat the day before Sussex needed to beat Kent to keep their hopes of making the play-offs a reality. Once again without Sarah Taylor and Holly Colvin Sussex fielded a young side. Kent won the toss and elected to bat on what looked like a good track. Youngsters Izi Noakes and Freya Davies opened for Sussex and not only gave nothing away, but picked up Tammy Beaumont and Charlotte Edwards respectively - Kent were 12/2 in the 8th over. Step forward Lydia Greenway, who, not for the first time this season, stepped up to the plate. She hit a magnificent even century, and with the aid of Deanna Cooper (53), added 137 for the third wicket. She was last out as Kent scored 200/5 in their 50 overs. Davies finished with 2/23 from her 10 overs.
 |
| Davies bowls Davidson-Richards |
Nottinghamshire beat Middlesex by 49 runs. Notts piled on the runs against Middlesex making 259/6 in their 50 overs. England's Danni Wyatt scored a magnificent 124 and Jane Smit (45) and Abbey Hawkins (47) also joined the party. Openers Helena Stolle (54) and Natasha Miles (51) got Middlesex off to a decent start, before Danni Wyatt accounted for them both, not with her bowling but her fielding as she ran them both out. Beth Morgan and Emma Inglis both went cheaply and Middlesex could only make it to 205/4 before they ran out of overs.
Warwickshire beat Essex by 4 wickets. Essex won the toss and decided to bat in this game but were soon in trouble at 18/3 and then 49/4 as Isabelle Watson (3/27) ripped out the top order. Joanne Cook (41) and Bryony Butcher (22) attempted to rebuild the innings, but when they fell to the returning Liz Russell (5/13) Essex's innings subsided to 125 all out. In a solid team batting effort Warwickshire scored what they needed in just under 37 overs for the loss of six wickets. Kayliegh Alsop (28*) and Amy Jones (26) were the top scorers, as five of the top six scored double figures.
Berkshire beat Yorkshire by 108 runs. Berkshire scored 216 all out, with Heather Knight scoring 123 of them. The next highest score was extras with 24. Yorkshire, after their exhilarating win over Sussex the previous day, never looked like getting close as wickets fell at regular intervals. Only Salliann Briggs (33*) put up any serious resistance as Heather Knight finished off the innings with 3/3 in three overs and Sharisa Gumbs (3/18) and Daisy Gardner (3/29) improved their stats for the season. Yorkshire were bowled out for 108 in 31 overs.
MD
28/V/13
Lancashire make hay while the sun shines
Division Two - Second Bank Holiday Double-Header Review
[updated Div 2 table here - http://womens-cricket.blogspot.co.uk/p/womens-county-championship-league.html]
Lancashire were the big winners in the second Bank Holiday double-header set of fixtures. They maintained their 100% record with wins over Worcestershire, and a big win over previously unbeaten Somerset. It puts them in a commanding position with chasers Ireland, Worcester and Staffordshire all losing another game over the weekend.
Lancashire beat Worcestershire by 6 wickets - Worcestershire probably regretted their decision to bat first when they were bowled out for 102 in 38 overs. Bhumika Doshi (4/17) skittled out the middle order after Worcestershire's top order had failed to fire with the exception of Clare Boycott (31) and Thea Brookes (26). Fifteen year old Emma Lamb led the Lancashire reply with a mature 54 not out as Lancashire reached their target in 28 overs with four wickets down, three of them to Jo Greaves (3/18).
Ireland beat Cheshire by 13 runs in a low-scoring affair at Hawk Green. Ireland could only muster 129 before they were bowled out by the impressive Dawn Prestidge (6/28), including a hat-trick. Ireland can thank Rebecca Rolfe (39) and Amy Kenealy (25) for at least giving their bowlers something to bowl at. Cheshire looked in good shape as the openers took the score to 31 without loss, but when Hannah Gradwell (31) fell at 49, it was left to Prestidge (42) to try and hold things together. But Melissa Scott-Hayward (5/12) ran through the lower order, including Prestige as the ninth wicket, as Cheshire slumped to 116 all out.
Wales beat Devon by 52 runs to clock up their first win of the season, based around a solid, if rather slow, opening partnership of 139 between Lauren Parfitt (52) and Joanne Westwood (55). They fell within one run of each other, from when the rest of the Welsh batting struggled to 199/8. Devon made a reasonable start and had got to 101/3 when the wheels fell off thanks to Claire Thomas (5/20 in 10 overs), who reduced them to 114/8. Lydia Harris (21*) tried to hold it together with the lower order, but they ended well short on 147 all out.
Staffs beat Durham by 115 runs. Invited to bat Staffs scored a respectable 194/3 in their 50 overs thanks to workmanlike knocks from Charlotte Whyle (52) and Stephanie Butler (46*). Durham never really got going in reply with only Laura Hockaday (17) and Becky Glen (24) reaching double figures before they were all out for 79 in the 30th over. Shanel Daley claimed 5/25 and Butler 3/23.
Lancashire beat Somerset by 6 wickets in the big clash of the weekend. Invited to bat Somerset were soon in all sorts of trouble at 14/6 with three wickets apiece for Jasmine Titmuss (3/8) and Kathryn Cross (4/20). The lower order tried their best to rescue the situation, but it was not to be as Somerset crashed to 60 all out. Lancashire made steady headway towards victory before a late clatter of wickets to Jenny Withers (3/4), but it was too little too late as Emma Lamb (37*) completed another good weekend for her and for Lancashire.
Durham beat Ireland by 19 runs. In a second low-scoring match of the weekend Ireland this time came out on the losing side. Having restricted Durham to just 118/7 in their 50 overs Ireland must have felt the game was theirs to win, but Durham, and Rachel Petherick (6/17) in particular, had other ideas. Batsmen came and went as Ireland slumped to 38/8 and only a rearguard action by Louise McCarthy (21) and Mary Waldron (20) at nine and ten got Ireland anywhere close, before they were bowled out for 99 with 10 overs to go, to give Durham their first win of the season and dent Ireland's play-off hopes.
Devon beat Staffs by 8 wickets to finally notch their first win of the season. Staffs would have been hoping to secure their place in the top half of the league against a winless Devon, but their total of 133 all out was woefully short of what they needed. Elysse Lally (38) and Shanel Daley (30) were the only two significant scorers. Rebecca Donahue finished with 4/30 for Devon, who then proceeded to knock off the required runs in 30 overs and with eight wickets to spare. Top three Amara Carr (48), Aylish Cranstone (35) and Rosalie Birch (32*) saw them home.
Cheshire v Worcestershire was abandoned after Cheshire had been bowled out for 107. Worcester never got a chance to start their reply before play was called off.
[updated Div 2 table here - http://womens-cricket.blogspot.co.uk/p/womens-county-championship-league.html]
The County Championship takes a break for the next four weeks as the Super 4s tournament takes place over the next three weekends, involving the top players in England.
MD
28/V/13
[updated Div 2 table here - http://womens-cricket.blogspot.co.uk/p/womens-county-championship-league.html]
Lancashire were the big winners in the second Bank Holiday double-header set of fixtures. They maintained their 100% record with wins over Worcestershire, and a big win over previously unbeaten Somerset. It puts them in a commanding position with chasers Ireland, Worcester and Staffordshire all losing another game over the weekend.
Lancashire beat Worcestershire by 6 wickets - Worcestershire probably regretted their decision to bat first when they were bowled out for 102 in 38 overs. Bhumika Doshi (4/17) skittled out the middle order after Worcestershire's top order had failed to fire with the exception of Clare Boycott (31) and Thea Brookes (26). Fifteen year old Emma Lamb led the Lancashire reply with a mature 54 not out as Lancashire reached their target in 28 overs with four wickets down, three of them to Jo Greaves (3/18).
Ireland beat Cheshire by 13 runs in a low-scoring affair at Hawk Green. Ireland could only muster 129 before they were bowled out by the impressive Dawn Prestidge (6/28), including a hat-trick. Ireland can thank Rebecca Rolfe (39) and Amy Kenealy (25) for at least giving their bowlers something to bowl at. Cheshire looked in good shape as the openers took the score to 31 without loss, but when Hannah Gradwell (31) fell at 49, it was left to Prestidge (42) to try and hold things together. But Melissa Scott-Hayward (5/12) ran through the lower order, including Prestige as the ninth wicket, as Cheshire slumped to 116 all out.
Wales beat Devon by 52 runs to clock up their first win of the season, based around a solid, if rather slow, opening partnership of 139 between Lauren Parfitt (52) and Joanne Westwood (55). They fell within one run of each other, from when the rest of the Welsh batting struggled to 199/8. Devon made a reasonable start and had got to 101/3 when the wheels fell off thanks to Claire Thomas (5/20 in 10 overs), who reduced them to 114/8. Lydia Harris (21*) tried to hold it together with the lower order, but they ended well short on 147 all out.
Staffs beat Durham by 115 runs. Invited to bat Staffs scored a respectable 194/3 in their 50 overs thanks to workmanlike knocks from Charlotte Whyle (52) and Stephanie Butler (46*). Durham never really got going in reply with only Laura Hockaday (17) and Becky Glen (24) reaching double figures before they were all out for 79 in the 30th over. Shanel Daley claimed 5/25 and Butler 3/23.
Lancashire beat Somerset by 6 wickets in the big clash of the weekend. Invited to bat Somerset were soon in all sorts of trouble at 14/6 with three wickets apiece for Jasmine Titmuss (3/8) and Kathryn Cross (4/20). The lower order tried their best to rescue the situation, but it was not to be as Somerset crashed to 60 all out. Lancashire made steady headway towards victory before a late clatter of wickets to Jenny Withers (3/4), but it was too little too late as Emma Lamb (37*) completed another good weekend for her and for Lancashire.
Durham beat Ireland by 19 runs. In a second low-scoring match of the weekend Ireland this time came out on the losing side. Having restricted Durham to just 118/7 in their 50 overs Ireland must have felt the game was theirs to win, but Durham, and Rachel Petherick (6/17) in particular, had other ideas. Batsmen came and went as Ireland slumped to 38/8 and only a rearguard action by Louise McCarthy (21) and Mary Waldron (20) at nine and ten got Ireland anywhere close, before they were bowled out for 99 with 10 overs to go, to give Durham their first win of the season and dent Ireland's play-off hopes.
Devon beat Staffs by 8 wickets to finally notch their first win of the season. Staffs would have been hoping to secure their place in the top half of the league against a winless Devon, but their total of 133 all out was woefully short of what they needed. Elysse Lally (38) and Shanel Daley (30) were the only two significant scorers. Rebecca Donahue finished with 4/30 for Devon, who then proceeded to knock off the required runs in 30 overs and with eight wickets to spare. Top three Amara Carr (48), Aylish Cranstone (35) and Rosalie Birch (32*) saw them home.
Cheshire v Worcestershire was abandoned after Cheshire had been bowled out for 107. Worcester never got a chance to start their reply before play was called off.
[updated Div 2 table here - http://womens-cricket.blogspot.co.uk/p/womens-county-championship-league.html]
The County Championship takes a break for the next four weeks as the Super 4s tournament takes place over the next three weekends, involving the top players in England.
MD
28/V/13
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