A single block of fixtures this weekend makes up the second round of the Women's County Championship, with some intriguing games in both the first and the second divisions, and the likely appearance of many of the England contractual players for the first time.
Pick of the weekend's clashes in Div 1 should be the Yorkshire v Lancashire scrap at Harrogate CC. Both teams won their first two games and, if they are both at full strength, then it could be an intriguing battle, with the bowlers likely to be on top for both teams. It could be a low scoring thriller.
Elsewhere Kent host old foes Sussex, who once again made a dreadful start to their season, losing both their first two games badly. With the possible return of Danni Wyatt, Georgia Elwiss and also Sarah Taylor, Sussex will be a tougher proposition. But Kent should have skipper Tammy Beaumont back to lead her troops, together with Laura Marsh and Tash Farrant. It has the makings of another needle game.
Warwickshire should be favourites to maintain their 100% record against Notts, at home for the third game in a row. Notts dispatched Sussex, but were bowled out for 144 by Kent to lose their second game. With Jenny Gunn and Amy Jones likely to add to Warwickshire's solid team, it could be a miserable day for Notts.
Finally either Middlesex or Berkshire will get off the mark in the final game in Division One. Heather Knight's foot injury will keep her out of the Berkshire side, but Middlesex will be very pleased to welcome back Fran Wilson to bolster their batting. The evergreen Beth Morgan has shown that she too is in good form with the bat, which could be enough to give Middlesex the edge.
Division One Fixtures
Kent v Sussex at KCCC Beckenham
Middlesex v Berkshire at Mill Hill School
Warwickshire v Notts at Edgbaston Foundation Ground
Yorkshire v Lancashire at Harrogate CC
In Div 2 unbeaten teams Devon and Somerset clash. People will be keen to see England's Anya Shrubsole as she tries to keep her Somerset team at the top of the league, plus can Sophie Luff maintain her form with the bat (just the two centuries so far)? If Shrubsole can break through early Devon might find the going tough.
Also unbeaten Hampshire travel to Surrey, who have one win under their belt to date. Suzie Bates is the big hurdle Surrey will need to overcome. She too picked up a brace of 100s in the first weekend's fixtures and will be looking to make it three in three. Surrey should have Nat Sciver back in the team. On paper Surrey have the greater depth, but it is who performs on the day.
Staffs and Derbyshire will both be looking for their first win of the season at Moddershall. Derbyshire might just be favourites, but it will be tight.
And finally Wales, fresh from a victory over Surrey, are at home again to Worcestershire. Wales will expect to get full points
Division Two Fixtures
Devon v Somerset at North Devon CC
Staffs v Derbyshire at Moddershall CC
Surrey v Hants at Reed's School
Wales v Worcs at Panteg
Martin Davies
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Showing posts with label Yorkshire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yorkshire. Show all posts
Saturday, 13 May 2017
Friday, 28 April 2017
Preview of 2017 Women's County Championship
I have had several attempts at writing this introduction to this, my last preview of the Women's County Championship. In fact I did wonder if it was worth writing it at all? The reality is that the County Championship has been emasculated by its reduction to just seven games (its needs expanding not reducing!); the timing of the matches (71% of games will have been played by the end of May); ridiculous rules if games are cancelled by rain; and the lack of top players playing in it.
There is no 50 over KSL tournament this year, but there will be next, and then none of the players playing in that tournament will be playing county cricket at all. I feel desperately sorry for all those people who have worked, and continue to work, incredibly hard to make women's county cricket happen, and for all the young players, who are denied the opportunity to showcase their skills, every weekend, against the best players. So, without further ado, as they say...
Just eight teams will compete for the County Championship trophy this year, after three were relegated (Staffs, Surrey and Somerset) and only two were promoted from Division Two (Lancashire and Notts).
Kent won the trophy last year at a canter losing only once, to Sussex, who finished in the runners-up slot. But for much of the season it was Warwickshire that led the pack. They beat Sussex, Berkshire, and Surrey, and had two more games called off, to lead the table into the penultimate weekend. But they were dispatched by Kent and then lost the next day to Middlesex, to blow any chance they had of winning the Championship for the first time. They finished a creditable third.
With one less game to be played this year, and with teams without their England contingent probably for the majority of the season, this could be a very topsy turvy county season. The ECB have scheduled five of the seven games to be played by 29th May, and the last two games have been shoe-horned in between the end of the KSL league games and the KSL Finals' Day. It means the England girls will play a maximum of three games before the World Cup (probably less) and any of the 36 players involved in the three teams in KSL Finals' Day are unlikely to be allowed to play the last two games of the season.
It is almost impossible to predict who will actually win any particular game, let alone who is going to win the Championship. But below I have had a quick look at all the teams. Their strengths and weaknesses will depend on which 11 players they can actually put on the field. We know the England contracted players will miss the first weekend's games, but beyond that who knows? Kiwis Amy Satterthwaite (Lancs), Rachel Priest (Berks) and Holly Huddlestone (Middlesex) are the only overseas players in the Championship and could have a massive influence on their teams' fortunes in their first five games. If I had to stick my neck out I'd back Warwickshire and Lancashire to be fighting it out for the title come August, and Berkshire and Notts to be fighting to stay in Div 1, but with so few games to play and the weather bound to intervene, it could easily be the other way round. Let's hope we see some good cricket, and find a few future stars, as we wave goodbye to the Women's County Championship as we know it.
First weekend's fixtures
Lancashire v Middlesex at St Anne's Cricket Club
Notts v Sussex at Lady Bay Sports Ground
Warwickshire v Kent at Edgbaston Foundation Ground
Yorkshire v Berks at Harrogate Cricket Club
Lancashire v Berkshire at Urmston Cricket Club
Notts v Kent at Lady Bay Sports Ground
Warwickshire v Sussex at Edgbaston Foundation Ground
Yorkshire v Middlesex at Harrogate Cricket Club
The teams
Berkshire (last year 5th)
Berkshire are under new captain, Lissy Macleod, and will have Kiwi Rachel Priest in Berkshire black for the first five games of the season, but they are unlikely to see much of former skipper Heather Knight. Runs could be a big issue for them. It is going to be a struggle.
Squad
Lissy Macleod (capt), Heather Knight, Rachel Priest, Carla Rudd, Sherisa Gumbs, Annabel Flack, Alex Rogers, Fi Morris, Daisy Gardner, Lauren Bell, Ashleigh Muttitt, Millie Allerton
Kent (last year Champions)
The big news over the winter at Kent was the departure of Charlotte Edwards to Hampshire, after 16 years with her adopted county. She takes with her New Zealand international Suzie Bates, who had such a good season with the county last year.
Stepping up to the Kent captaincy will be Tammy Beaumont, when she is not on England duty. Her back-up will be Alice Davidson-Richards, who is likely to lead the county more often than not. Without their England contingent of Beaumont, Farrant and Marsh and with no overseas player yet named, the early part of the season could be up and down.
Squad
Beaumont (captain), Davidson-Richards (vice), Belt, Bryan, Farrant, Franklin, Gibbs, Greenway, Griffiths, Jackson, Jelfs, Marsh, Pape, Thompson
Lancashire (last year promoted from Div 2 as winners)
Back in the top flight again after winning promotion from Div 2 initially in 2014, only to be relegated straight back down without a win to their name in 2015. They seem determined the same will not happen to them again this year, and have enticed Alex Hartley back from Middlesex after four years in the south, which brought her an England contract. She will make an interesting pairing with fellow left-armer Sophie Ecclestone. They also have the in-form Kiwi Amy Satterthwaite warming up for the WWC17 with them until the end of May. Senior Academy batsmen Eve Jones has also joined from Staffs. On paper they look a strong team, but early success will be vital for them.
Squad
Megan Fairclough (capt) (4), Natalie Brown (10, Ellie Threlkeld (21), Bhumika Doshi (14), Nalisha Patel (15), Emma Lamb (6), Hannah Jones (7), Jess Couser (9), Laura Jackson (22), Laura Marshall (12), Rachel Dickinson (17), Sophie Ecclestone (19), Kate Cross (16), Shachi Pai (18), Evie Priestley (25), Georgie Holt (27), Rebecca Duckworth (26), Evelyn Jones (3), Alex Hartley (8), Ella Telford (5), Amy Satterthwaite (11).
Middlesex (last year 6th)
After four years with Middlesex in Division One, left-arm spinner Alex Hartley has been lured back to her old county, Lancashire, and Leeds medical student Anna Nicholls has chosen to stay in the north and represent Yorkshire. New skipper for the County Championship is Naomi Dattani. They will miss Fran Wilson's batting when she is on England duty, with the onus on Dunkley, Dattani and Dalton to get some runs on the board for them. They do welcome back Kiwi pace bowler Holly Huddleston.
Squad
Dattani (11) (capt), Bouchier (16), Dalton (3), Dattani (11), Dunkley (14), Gole (12), Huddleston (17), Miles (8), Morgan (5), Pope (15), Ravel (7), Wakeman (9), Westbury (6), Whitty (1), Wilson (4), Wolfe (10)
Notts (last year promoted from Div 2 as runners-up)
Relegated from Div 1 in 2015, they have come straight back, despite England internationals Jenny Gunn and Danni Wyatt leaving the county. They too have brought in some new recruits from other counties, Jodie Dibble from Devon, Lucy Higham from Leicestershire and Megan Burton from Wales. Led again by Sonia Odedra they should have a settled team throughout the year and could easily cause a few upsets in the first five games of the season.
Squad
Squad
Georgia Adams (capt), Flora Bertwhistle, Ella Bourne, Ellen Burt, Sally Clarke, Izzy Collis, Freya Davies, Ariana Dowse, Georgia Elwiss, Abbey Freeborn, Chiara Green, Nancy Harman, Ella McCaughan, Tara Norris, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Bethany Tagg, Sarah Taylor, Ella Wadey, Lucy Western, Danni Wyatt.
Warwickshire (last year 3rd)
Last year's surprise package, they led the County Championship only to run out of self-belief when they faced the mighty Kent. This year they will be another year older and wiser and are again likely to be there or thereabouts. Their batting can look a little thin, but their bowling might save them. Youngsters Georgia Davis and Kate Green are names to watch out for.
Squad
Marie Kelly (capt), Jenny Gunn, Amy Jones, Rebecca Grundy, Georgia Hennessy, Georgia Davis, Laura Crofts, Liz Russell, Mina Zahoor, Anisha Patel, Kathryn Bryce, Jo Gardner, Louise Brazier, Bethan Ellis, Kate Green
Yorkshire (last year 4th)
A massively powerful team when they have their full England contingent available, they become less predictable when they are away. Led by Jess Watson this year they will be a tight unit, but as with others, runs will be an issue. Expect leggies Katie Levick and Hollie Armitage to lead the bowlers.
Squad
Jess Watson (capt), Lauren Winfield, Katherine Brunt, Dani Hazell, Beth Langston, Hollie Armitage, Anna Nicholls, Steph Butler, Katie Levick, Cecilia Allen, Hannah Buck, Katie Thompson, Madie Walsh, Theresa Graves, Rebecca Newark, Hannah Poulter, Rachel Hildreth, Charlotte North
MD
28/IV/17
There is no 50 over KSL tournament this year, but there will be next, and then none of the players playing in that tournament will be playing county cricket at all. I feel desperately sorry for all those people who have worked, and continue to work, incredibly hard to make women's county cricket happen, and for all the young players, who are denied the opportunity to showcase their skills, every weekend, against the best players. So, without further ado, as they say...
Just eight teams will compete for the County Championship trophy this year, after three were relegated (Staffs, Surrey and Somerset) and only two were promoted from Division Two (Lancashire and Notts).
Kent won the trophy last year at a canter losing only once, to Sussex, who finished in the runners-up slot. But for much of the season it was Warwickshire that led the pack. They beat Sussex, Berkshire, and Surrey, and had two more games called off, to lead the table into the penultimate weekend. But they were dispatched by Kent and then lost the next day to Middlesex, to blow any chance they had of winning the Championship for the first time. They finished a creditable third.
With one less game to be played this year, and with teams without their England contingent probably for the majority of the season, this could be a very topsy turvy county season. The ECB have scheduled five of the seven games to be played by 29th May, and the last two games have been shoe-horned in between the end of the KSL league games and the KSL Finals' Day. It means the England girls will play a maximum of three games before the World Cup (probably less) and any of the 36 players involved in the three teams in KSL Finals' Day are unlikely to be allowed to play the last two games of the season.
It is almost impossible to predict who will actually win any particular game, let alone who is going to win the Championship. But below I have had a quick look at all the teams. Their strengths and weaknesses will depend on which 11 players they can actually put on the field. We know the England contracted players will miss the first weekend's games, but beyond that who knows? Kiwis Amy Satterthwaite (Lancs), Rachel Priest (Berks) and Holly Huddlestone (Middlesex) are the only overseas players in the Championship and could have a massive influence on their teams' fortunes in their first five games. If I had to stick my neck out I'd back Warwickshire and Lancashire to be fighting it out for the title come August, and Berkshire and Notts to be fighting to stay in Div 1, but with so few games to play and the weather bound to intervene, it could easily be the other way round. Let's hope we see some good cricket, and find a few future stars, as we wave goodbye to the Women's County Championship as we know it.
First weekend's fixtures
Lancashire v Middlesex at St Anne's Cricket Club
Notts v Sussex at Lady Bay Sports Ground
Warwickshire v Kent at Edgbaston Foundation Ground
Yorkshire v Berks at Harrogate Cricket Club
Lancashire v Berkshire at Urmston Cricket Club
Notts v Kent at Lady Bay Sports Ground
Warwickshire v Sussex at Edgbaston Foundation Ground
Yorkshire v Middlesex at Harrogate Cricket Club
The teams
Berkshire (last year 5th)
Berkshire are under new captain, Lissy Macleod, and will have Kiwi Rachel Priest in Berkshire black for the first five games of the season, but they are unlikely to see much of former skipper Heather Knight. Runs could be a big issue for them. It is going to be a struggle.
Squad
Lissy Macleod (capt), Heather Knight, Rachel Priest, Carla Rudd, Sherisa Gumbs, Annabel Flack, Alex Rogers, Fi Morris, Daisy Gardner, Lauren Bell, Ashleigh Muttitt, Millie Allerton
Kent (last year Champions)
The big news over the winter at Kent was the departure of Charlotte Edwards to Hampshire, after 16 years with her adopted county. She takes with her New Zealand international Suzie Bates, who had such a good season with the county last year.
Stepping up to the Kent captaincy will be Tammy Beaumont, when she is not on England duty. Her back-up will be Alice Davidson-Richards, who is likely to lead the county more often than not. Without their England contingent of Beaumont, Farrant and Marsh and with no overseas player yet named, the early part of the season could be up and down.
Squad
Beaumont (captain), Davidson-Richards (vice), Belt, Bryan, Farrant, Franklin, Gibbs, Greenway, Griffiths, Jackson, Jelfs, Marsh, Pape, Thompson
Lancashire (last year promoted from Div 2 as winners)
Back in the top flight again after winning promotion from Div 2 initially in 2014, only to be relegated straight back down without a win to their name in 2015. They seem determined the same will not happen to them again this year, and have enticed Alex Hartley back from Middlesex after four years in the south, which brought her an England contract. She will make an interesting pairing with fellow left-armer Sophie Ecclestone. They also have the in-form Kiwi Amy Satterthwaite warming up for the WWC17 with them until the end of May. Senior Academy batsmen Eve Jones has also joined from Staffs. On paper they look a strong team, but early success will be vital for them.
Squad
Megan Fairclough (capt) (4), Natalie Brown (10, Ellie Threlkeld (21), Bhumika Doshi (14), Nalisha Patel (15), Emma Lamb (6), Hannah Jones (7), Jess Couser (9), Laura Jackson (22), Laura Marshall (12), Rachel Dickinson (17), Sophie Ecclestone (19), Kate Cross (16), Shachi Pai (18), Evie Priestley (25), Georgie Holt (27), Rebecca Duckworth (26), Evelyn Jones (3), Alex Hartley (8), Ella Telford (5), Amy Satterthwaite (11).
Middlesex (last year 6th)
After four years with Middlesex in Division One, left-arm spinner Alex Hartley has been lured back to her old county, Lancashire, and Leeds medical student Anna Nicholls has chosen to stay in the north and represent Yorkshire. New skipper for the County Championship is Naomi Dattani. They will miss Fran Wilson's batting when she is on England duty, with the onus on Dunkley, Dattani and Dalton to get some runs on the board for them. They do welcome back Kiwi pace bowler Holly Huddleston.
Squad
Dattani (11) (capt), Bouchier (16), Dalton (3), Dattani (11), Dunkley (14), Gole (12), Huddleston (17), Miles (8), Morgan (5), Pope (15), Ravel (7), Wakeman (9), Westbury (6), Whitty (1), Wilson (4), Wolfe (10)
Notts (last year promoted from Div 2 as runners-up)
Relegated from Div 1 in 2015, they have come straight back, despite England internationals Jenny Gunn and Danni Wyatt leaving the county. They too have brought in some new recruits from other counties, Jodie Dibble from Devon, Lucy Higham from Leicestershire and Megan Burton from Wales. Led again by Sonia Odedra they should have a settled team throughout the year and could easily cause a few upsets in the first five games of the season.
Squad
Sonia Odedra (capt), Natasha Allen, Georgie Boyce, Megan Burton, Kelsey Cox, Jodie Dibble, Kirstie Gordon, Yvonne Graves, Lucy Higham, Hannah Hughes, Sophie Munro, Rosie Penford, Jane Smit, Ruth Sprawson, Hollie Stannard, Ella Tweed, Rebecca Widdowson, Bethany Unwin.
Sussex (last year 2nd)
A very strong squad on paper, but many of this squad will play very few County Championship games, if any at all. A great deal will be expected of the younger players, led this year by new captain, Georgia Adams. The only new recruit is Berkshire's left arm spinner, Linsey Smith, but she may miss the first two games as she is currently with the England squad in Abu Dhabi. Sussex's Achilles' heel is always the first few games of the season. This year they meet Notts and Warwickshire away in the first weekend. They are must-win games.Sussex (last year 2nd)
Squad
Georgia Adams (capt), Flora Bertwhistle, Ella Bourne, Ellen Burt, Sally Clarke, Izzy Collis, Freya Davies, Ariana Dowse, Georgia Elwiss, Abbey Freeborn, Chiara Green, Nancy Harman, Ella McCaughan, Tara Norris, Paige Scholfield, Linsey Smith, Bethany Tagg, Sarah Taylor, Ella Wadey, Lucy Western, Danni Wyatt.
Warwickshire (last year 3rd)
Last year's surprise package, they led the County Championship only to run out of self-belief when they faced the mighty Kent. This year they will be another year older and wiser and are again likely to be there or thereabouts. Their batting can look a little thin, but their bowling might save them. Youngsters Georgia Davis and Kate Green are names to watch out for.
Squad
Marie Kelly (capt), Jenny Gunn, Amy Jones, Rebecca Grundy, Georgia Hennessy, Georgia Davis, Laura Crofts, Liz Russell, Mina Zahoor, Anisha Patel, Kathryn Bryce, Jo Gardner, Louise Brazier, Bethan Ellis, Kate Green
Yorkshire (last year 4th)
A massively powerful team when they have their full England contingent available, they become less predictable when they are away. Led by Jess Watson this year they will be a tight unit, but as with others, runs will be an issue. Expect leggies Katie Levick and Hollie Armitage to lead the bowlers.
Squad
Jess Watson (capt), Lauren Winfield, Katherine Brunt, Dani Hazell, Beth Langston, Hollie Armitage, Anna Nicholls, Steph Butler, Katie Levick, Cecilia Allen, Hannah Buck, Katie Thompson, Madie Walsh, Theresa Graves, Rebecca Newark, Hannah Poulter, Rachel Hildreth, Charlotte North
MD
28/IV/17
Tuesday, 23 August 2016
Decisive weekend in County Championship
Right, lets park the razzmatazz of the KSL, (which was won by the Southern Vipers, by the way, and not just Charlotte Edwards, despite what the Press may say!), it is time to refocus on the bread and butter of women's cricket - the Women's County Championship, with a double-header Bank Holiday weekend ahead of us. If it wasn't for the County Championship there would be no players for competitions such as the KSL and the WBBL.
Catch Up....Unfancied Warwickshire top the league table having won the three games they have played against Sussex, Berkshire and Surrey. Their games against Yorkshire and Staffs have been washed out. Behind them loom Kent, who have lost one game to Sussex, who themselves are third, having been beaten on the opening day of the season by Warwickshire.
Yorkshire, Berkshire and Middlesex have all won two games, and then at the bottom of the league sit Surrey, Somerset (one win) and Staffs (winless)...
All of which means that this Sunday's game between Warwickshire and Kent at the Edgbaston Foundation Ground, could be the game that decides who wins the 2016 County Championship title. It seems that the ECB have decided that the England girls can only play one game this weekend, but for Kent this will not be an issue as they only have one game. For Warwickshire one assumes they will play their full team, including Amy Jones. Jenny Gunn and Rebecca Grundy, against Kent, but they will miss the game against Middlesex the following day. In form Suzie Bates has remained in England after the end of the KSL, so Kent should be at full strength. It will be a tough ask for the young Warwickshire side, but ironically the pressure will actually be on Kent to win. If Warwickshire can get early wickets then that pressure will build. It should be a fascinating game.
As I've said, win or lose on Sunday, Warwickshire take on Middlesex on Monday, with what will be an even younger squad, probably against a Middlesex's full compliment, with Fran Wilson and Alex Hartley back in Middlesex blue, after successful KSL campaigns. This game will be just as key as the one the previous day, and Warwickshire will have to dig deep (no matter what the result the previous day). It may be a tough call for Middlesex regarding their England players, as the previous day they play Yorkshire. Both games are at home and Middlesex could decide to field their strongest side against their northern rivals, given that they are struggling a bit to get many wins on the board this season, and it is almost as important that Yorkshire lose as Middlesex win.
On Monday Yorkshire make the journey from Middlesex down to Bridgwater in Somerset. Somerset will be following them down the M4 as they play Surrey at Reed's School the previous day. With three teams to be relegated from Div 1 at the end of the season these are key games for all involved. Somerset have only beaten Berkshire so far this season and their game against fellow relegation candidates Staffordshire was abandoned (so cannot be rearranged). They have to beat the teams just above them to give themselves a chance of staying in Div 1 next year.
Surrey themselves will be hoping to ease their relegation worries with wins over Somerset, and then on Monday against Staffs. They have lost four of the five games they have played this season, and two wins this weekend are essential.
Sussex are the other team with two games to play, taking on Staffs at home on Sunday and then travelling to North Maidenhead on Monday for Berkshire's only game of the weekend. If Sussex want to keep up any pressure on the top two then they need two wins and full bonus points, but realistically having dropped five bonus points already, they will need both Warwickshire and Kent to have some poor games if they are going to get past them.
Fixtures
Sunday 28th August 2016 - 11am start
Middlesex v Yorkshire at Merchant Taylors School
Surrey v Somerset at Reed's School
Sussex v Staffs at East Grinstead CC
Warks v Kent at Edgbaston Foundation Ground
Monday 29th August 2016 - 11am start
Berks v Sussex at North Maidenhead CC
Middlesex v Warwickshire at Merchant Taylors School
Somerset v Yorkshire at Bridgwater CC
Surrey v Staffs at Reed's School
MD
23/VIII/16
Catch Up....Unfancied Warwickshire top the league table having won the three games they have played against Sussex, Berkshire and Surrey. Their games against Yorkshire and Staffs have been washed out. Behind them loom Kent, who have lost one game to Sussex, who themselves are third, having been beaten on the opening day of the season by Warwickshire.
Yorkshire, Berkshire and Middlesex have all won two games, and then at the bottom of the league sit Surrey, Somerset (one win) and Staffs (winless)...
All of which means that this Sunday's game between Warwickshire and Kent at the Edgbaston Foundation Ground, could be the game that decides who wins the 2016 County Championship title. It seems that the ECB have decided that the England girls can only play one game this weekend, but for Kent this will not be an issue as they only have one game. For Warwickshire one assumes they will play their full team, including Amy Jones. Jenny Gunn and Rebecca Grundy, against Kent, but they will miss the game against Middlesex the following day. In form Suzie Bates has remained in England after the end of the KSL, so Kent should be at full strength. It will be a tough ask for the young Warwickshire side, but ironically the pressure will actually be on Kent to win. If Warwickshire can get early wickets then that pressure will build. It should be a fascinating game.
As I've said, win or lose on Sunday, Warwickshire take on Middlesex on Monday, with what will be an even younger squad, probably against a Middlesex's full compliment, with Fran Wilson and Alex Hartley back in Middlesex blue, after successful KSL campaigns. This game will be just as key as the one the previous day, and Warwickshire will have to dig deep (no matter what the result the previous day). It may be a tough call for Middlesex regarding their England players, as the previous day they play Yorkshire. Both games are at home and Middlesex could decide to field their strongest side against their northern rivals, given that they are struggling a bit to get many wins on the board this season, and it is almost as important that Yorkshire lose as Middlesex win.
On Monday Yorkshire make the journey from Middlesex down to Bridgwater in Somerset. Somerset will be following them down the M4 as they play Surrey at Reed's School the previous day. With three teams to be relegated from Div 1 at the end of the season these are key games for all involved. Somerset have only beaten Berkshire so far this season and their game against fellow relegation candidates Staffordshire was abandoned (so cannot be rearranged). They have to beat the teams just above them to give themselves a chance of staying in Div 1 next year.
Surrey themselves will be hoping to ease their relegation worries with wins over Somerset, and then on Monday against Staffs. They have lost four of the five games they have played this season, and two wins this weekend are essential.
Sussex are the other team with two games to play, taking on Staffs at home on Sunday and then travelling to North Maidenhead on Monday for Berkshire's only game of the weekend. If Sussex want to keep up any pressure on the top two then they need two wins and full bonus points, but realistically having dropped five bonus points already, they will need both Warwickshire and Kent to have some poor games if they are going to get past them.
Fixtures
Sunday 28th August 2016 - 11am start
Middlesex v Yorkshire at Merchant Taylors School
Surrey v Somerset at Reed's School
Sussex v Staffs at East Grinstead CC
Warks v Kent at Edgbaston Foundation Ground
Monday 29th August 2016 - 11am start
Berks v Sussex at North Maidenhead CC
Middlesex v Warwickshire at Merchant Taylors School
Somerset v Yorkshire at Bridgwater CC
Surrey v Staffs at Reed's School
MD
23/VIII/16
Tuesday, 3 May 2016
County Div 1 Round Up - First weekend
Well who would have thought that at the end of the first weekend of County Championship fixtures the top three in Division One would be :-
1. Warwickshire 18.00
2. Berkshire 17.50
3. Middlesex 17.00
True the rain did intervene somewhat, but the fallacy that county cricket is not a good enough standard for the England contracted players was blown out of the water as fancied Sussex got turned over by unfancied Warwickshire, and then Sussex themselves (without Sarah Taylor) dispatched Kent, despite the fact that all five of Kent's contracted England players were on the park and four of them batted in the top four.
On Sunday Kent steam-rollered newbies Somerset into the Taunton turf, posting 279/4 and then bowling Somerset out for just 58. There were runs for Edwards 79, Beaumont 72, and Greenway 69, as the chasm between Div 1 & Div 2 was cruelly exposed.
Fellow newbies Staffs were also hammered by Berkshire who restricted them to 130/9 and then got them with just two wickets down and eight overs to spare. Amanda Potgeiter took 3/12 and Heather Knight helped herself to 56 to get her season off and running.
In Middlesex the home side managed to score 165 before they were bowled out, having been 113/9 at one stage. Fran Wilson made 63, and Naomi Dattani (30*) and Alex Hartley (28) added 52 for the last wicket. In response Surrey were bowled out for 99 with Bryony Smith top-scoring with 23.
Sussex made another calamitous start to their season, as they did last year, losing by six wickets to Warwickshire. Put into bat they could only manage to put 126 on the board (losing two valuable batting points) and then take only four wickets (losing three more). Georgia Adams top-scored for Sussex with 45, with extras second top-scorer with 37. In reply Warwickshire calmly knocked-off the runs with Minihal Zahoor 39, Marie Kelly 31* and Anna Lanning 25 leading the way.
Fellow newbies Staffs were also hammered by Berkshire who restricted them to 130/9 and then got them with just two wickets down and eight overs to spare. Amanda Potgeiter took 3/12 and Heather Knight helped herself to 56 to get her season off and running.
In Middlesex the home side managed to score 165 before they were bowled out, having been 113/9 at one stage. Fran Wilson made 63, and Naomi Dattani (30*) and Alex Hartley (28) added 52 for the last wicket. In response Surrey were bowled out for 99 with Bryony Smith top-scoring with 23.
Sussex made another calamitous start to their season, as they did last year, losing by six wickets to Warwickshire. Put into bat they could only manage to put 126 on the board (losing two valuable batting points) and then take only four wickets (losing three more). Georgia Adams top-scored for Sussex with 45, with extras second top-scorer with 37. In reply Warwickshire calmly knocked-off the runs with Minihal Zahoor 39, Marie Kelly 31* and Anna Lanning 25 leading the way.
On Monday the rain washed out the Yorkshire v Warwickshire and the Staffs v Somerset games, but Berkshire made it two from two as they handed Surrey their second defeat of the weekend. Surrey have now lost their last five county championship games and they must already be strong relegation prospects with Kent, Sussex and Yorkshire still to play. They managed to post 153/9 thanks to 69 from Kirstie White. Potgeiter and Knight claimed three wickets apiece. Knight then led the way with the bat with 37, with keeper Carla Rudd hitting 34, just one shy of her best ever for the county. They wrapped up the win with nearly 10 overs to spare.
Meanwhile in Eastbourne the rain prevented play getting underway until just after 2pm, with the game reduced to 30 overs per side. Put into bat Sussex shot out of the traps with Georgia Adams (53) and Georgia Elwiss (20) smashing 30 off the first three overs from Farrant and Pape. Progress then became a little more serene until the penultimate over when Izi Noakes (38) launched Davidson-Richards for two enormous 6s over midwicket off consecutive balls. It meant Sussex reached 172 before they were bowled out in the last over. Kent needed 5.8 per over, but by half way, having lost Edwards early, Tammy Beaumont (49) and Lydia Greenway (33) had left Kent needing 96 off the last 15 overs at 6.5. As England Head Coach, Mark Robinson (who watched the match), said before the game it is important in women's cricket not to get behind the rate, and so it proved. Beaumont and Greenway went in quick succession and Kent collapsed from 101/2 to 131 all out.
Which means that Berkshire have had a great weekend; Warwickshire have beaten a top team and do not have to play another (Yorkshire); Sussex could win all their remaining games and still not win the title due to only get three bonus points against Warwickshire; and Kent can still take the title, but cannot afford another slip up.
The next round of games is on Sunday 15th May.
MD
03/V/16
MD
03/V/16
Wednesday, 16 September 2015
County Championship Wrap Up
It is always sad when a cricket season comes to an end, as the 2015 season here in England has just done. It is usually made worse by the fact that the sun continues to shine until the end of September, but this year Autumn seems to have arrived early in the UK, with plenty of rain falling from the sky.
Unfortunately that rain arrived a couple of weeks ago, and wrecked the end of the Women's County Championship season, when the Yorkshire v Sussex game was called off. It would have been a pivotal game, but the rules say that it does not have to be played, so it wasn't. Yorkshire went on to annihilate Lancashire in their last game of the season and the County Championship title was theirs for the first time since 2002, when the league had just six teams and five games were played in a week. Kent finished in the runners-up spot.
At the bottom Lancashire have discovered that life in Div 1 is pretty tough. They have lost all of their eight games and have managed to pick up just six bowling bonus points. That equates to just 26 wickets taken in those eight games, not helped by batting first in seven of their fixtures, including games where they won the toss. They were also missing Kate Cross for four of their games, although she only took three wickets in the four games she did play. Will she be happy to play Division 2 cricket again next year? I am guessing she will, if the ECB will let her.
So the question was who would make the drop with Lancashire? It was between Warwickshire (the Harry Houdini's of Div 1) and Notts. Notts did what they could by beating Surrey and claiming 17 points, but Warwickshire pulled off the great escape yet again by beating Middlesex and claiming the full 18 points on offer. It meant that they finished three points above Notts. Will Notts be able to hold on to Jenny Gunn and Danni Wyatt for the 2016 season? With the promotion of Wyatt's former county, Staffordshire, to Division One next year, it may be a tough call. There is little doubt that Staffs would love to have her back.
So the question was who would make the drop with Lancashire? It was between Warwickshire (the Harry Houdini's of Div 1) and Notts. Notts did what they could by beating Surrey and claiming 17 points, but Warwickshire pulled off the great escape yet again by beating Middlesex and claiming the full 18 points on offer. It meant that they finished three points above Notts. Will Notts be able to hold on to Jenny Gunn and Danni Wyatt for the 2016 season? With the promotion of Wyatt's former county, Staffordshire, to Division One next year, it may be a tough call. There is little doubt that Staffs would love to have her back.
Coming up with Staffs, who finished runners-up in Division Two, will be Somerset. They have been so close to Division One status for the past two years, so it was good to see them get it spot on this year with an undefeated season. Sophie Luff hit a couple of important hundreds and Welsh import Gwenan Davies meant that they did not miss Fran Wilson (who left to play at Middlesex) too much at the top of the order. It will be good to see how they go in Division One next year, and whether they can entice South African Lizelle Lee back to play in the top division.
Looking forward to 2016 the ECB must change the rules on cancelled and abandoned games. They are currently a nonsense. Abandoned games (ie games that are started and not finished) cannot be replayed, and cancelled games do not have to be replayed if one team does not want to. This has always allowed teams to manipulate who they do or do not want to play if the weather intervenes. The rule has to be that abandoned and cancelled games MUST be played. If not then they are conceded and the willing team gets a full bonus points win. I would also like to see the season extended to 12 games. With the current nine teams in the league this would mean eight regular games and then four additional games (there are various formulae that can be used to make these as fair as possible). In 2017 it would be easier to reduce the league to seven teams, playing home and away, perhaps with the goal of having four divisions of seven teams ultimately, which might keep things fresh.
Certainly the County Championship will need some spicing up. Next season the inaugural Women's Cricket Super League T20 competition is due to start, and the season after that there is due to be a 50 over competition, which will undoubtedly impact on the standard of county cricket. Basically the more senior players will not be playing it. But the ECB cannot afford to let it wither on the vine. It needs to be supported, encouraged and properly financed, albeit perhaps reduced from the current 38 teams. It will be the proving ground for up and coming players and the home to those that want to play at a good level, but do not have the time or the ambition to play in the Super League or beyond.
MD
16/IX/15
16/IX/15
Thursday, 10 September 2015
County Champs reaches conclusion
So it looks like this will be the last weekend of County Championship fixtures despite the fact that there are two unplayed games in both the 1st and 2nd Divisions.
In Division One if Yorkshire beat bottom of the table Lancs and get 17 or 18 points in the process, then they will be the champions, despite the fact that have a game outstanding against Sussex who could beat them to the title (more here). If they get 16 or less then Kent will be the champions, unless Sussex can beat Berkshire with full bonus points and then it would come down to NRR between Kent and Sussex.
At the bottom Lancs are already relegated back to Div 2, but either Notts or Warwickshire will join them there next season. Notts perhaps have the easier task as they take on Surrey at home. Surrey have had a miserable season and have not won a game since 21st June, although they got to within one run of Yorkshire in their last outing. Warwickshire take on Middlesex, who beat Kent handsomely in their last match and will want to end the season on a high.
In Division Two Somerset and Staffs are both promoted, but it is a question of who will win the Div 2 title. Both are unbeaten and locked together on points, and they take on Wales and Worcestershire respectively. A win is essential, but it could all come down to bonus points. As they have not played each other (cancelled due to rain), if they finish equal top on points then the team with the better net run rate over the season will win the title.
At the bottom Scotland are heading back down to Div 3 but they would love to pick up their first win of the season against mid-table Devon, who are safe from relegation as the two teams below them, Essex and Durham meet in a "winner stays up" match. If Durham win they are safe come what may. If Essex win then they need to get at least three extra bonus points out of eight available to save their bacon.
Division 1
Notts v Surrey at Welbeck CC
Sussex v Berkshire at Horsham CC
Warwickshire v Middx at Egbaston Foundation Ground
Yorks v Lancs at Harrogate CC
Division 2
Devon v Scotland at Exmouth CC
Durham v Essex at Durham City CC
Somerset v Wales at The County Ground, Taunton
Staffs v Worcs at Meakins
MD
10/IX/15
In Division One if Yorkshire beat bottom of the table Lancs and get 17 or 18 points in the process, then they will be the champions, despite the fact that have a game outstanding against Sussex who could beat them to the title (more here). If they get 16 or less then Kent will be the champions, unless Sussex can beat Berkshire with full bonus points and then it would come down to NRR between Kent and Sussex.
At the bottom Lancs are already relegated back to Div 2, but either Notts or Warwickshire will join them there next season. Notts perhaps have the easier task as they take on Surrey at home. Surrey have had a miserable season and have not won a game since 21st June, although they got to within one run of Yorkshire in their last outing. Warwickshire take on Middlesex, who beat Kent handsomely in their last match and will want to end the season on a high.
In Division Two Somerset and Staffs are both promoted, but it is a question of who will win the Div 2 title. Both are unbeaten and locked together on points, and they take on Wales and Worcestershire respectively. A win is essential, but it could all come down to bonus points. As they have not played each other (cancelled due to rain), if they finish equal top on points then the team with the better net run rate over the season will win the title.
At the bottom Scotland are heading back down to Div 3 but they would love to pick up their first win of the season against mid-table Devon, who are safe from relegation as the two teams below them, Essex and Durham meet in a "winner stays up" match. If Durham win they are safe come what may. If Essex win then they need to get at least three extra bonus points out of eight available to save their bacon.
Division 1
Notts v Surrey at Welbeck CC
Sussex v Berkshire at Horsham CC
Warwickshire v Middx at Egbaston Foundation Ground
Yorks v Lancs at Harrogate CC
Division 2
Devon v Scotland at Exmouth CC
Durham v Essex at Durham City CC
Somerset v Wales at The County Ground, Taunton
Staffs v Worcs at Meakins
MD
10/IX/15
Wednesday, 9 September 2015
Yorkshire say "No" to Sussex replay request
It is the climax of the Women's County Championship. Three teams are fighting it out for top spot. Just 0.5 of an average point (don't ask!) separates the teams. In a recent piece I wrote that the I hoped that the cancelled games from the previous week involving those three teams would not decide the Championship. But it seems that they probably will.
One had hoped that the lessons had been learned from the 2012 season where Essex qualified for the play-offs after playing just two of their league games and declining to play others that had been cancelled. But it seems not. The league rules have not been tightened up.
Kent, who sit top of the league, were due to play Berkshire two weekends ago, but the game was called off due to rain. It seems that game will not now be played. On the same day Sussex had travelled all the way to Harrogate only to watch the rain fall. Following the Royal London Women's One Day Cup Rules and Regulations, Sussex (currently third) requested that the game be replayed before the cut-off date of 28th September. Yorkshire (currently second) have declined due to the non-availability of some of their players. In the circumstances you would think that they would therefore forfeit the game and that Sussex would take full points (10 for the win and a full 8 bonus points).
But you would be wrong. "For a match to be rearranged both counties need to agree to replay it. In the event that they do not agree to replay, the original result of a cancelled fixture remains." This is the official line from the ECB. Is this really right?
If you scour through the Rules and Regs you won't find anything to contradict this. In fact you will find nothing in the rules that deals with this situation at all. Basically if it suits you not to play a cancelled game, then there is no obligation on you to make any effort to sort it out at all, and no penalty for your choosing not to do so. Quite why the rules bother to state that "If the home side is unable to find a suitable venue then the away team shall be offered the opportunity to host the match" is baffling. If the home side simply do not want to play then they can simply say "no thanks".
So that leaves the games that are due to be played this weekend as the last games of the season. Quite simply Yorkshire know that if they beat bottom of the table Lancashire and get 7 or 8 bonus points then they will win the league. They know that if they were to play their cancelled game with Sussex and lose then they would have no chance of winning the league, and Sussex's chances would be enhanced, if they also scored more than 15 points. It seems it is a risk Yorkshire are not prepared to take, so they have simply refused to play.
As for Sussex, there seems to be nothing that they can do. If they beat Berkshire on Sunday and take full points then they will be level with Kent at the top of the league, but Yorkshire will be able to pass them too with 17/18 points from their last game.
And if it rains on Sunday, or Yorkshire or Sussex don't win with enough points, then Kent will be the champions. All in all not a desperately satisfactory way to end women's cricket's premier competition.
MD
09/IX/15
One had hoped that the lessons had been learned from the 2012 season where Essex qualified for the play-offs after playing just two of their league games and declining to play others that had been cancelled. But it seems not. The league rules have not been tightened up.
Kent, who sit top of the league, were due to play Berkshire two weekends ago, but the game was called off due to rain. It seems that game will not now be played. On the same day Sussex had travelled all the way to Harrogate only to watch the rain fall. Following the Royal London Women's One Day Cup Rules and Regulations, Sussex (currently third) requested that the game be replayed before the cut-off date of 28th September. Yorkshire (currently second) have declined due to the non-availability of some of their players. In the circumstances you would think that they would therefore forfeit the game and that Sussex would take full points (10 for the win and a full 8 bonus points).
But you would be wrong. "For a match to be rearranged both counties need to agree to replay it. In the event that they do not agree to replay, the original result of a cancelled fixture remains." This is the official line from the ECB. Is this really right?
If you scour through the Rules and Regs you won't find anything to contradict this. In fact you will find nothing in the rules that deals with this situation at all. Basically if it suits you not to play a cancelled game, then there is no obligation on you to make any effort to sort it out at all, and no penalty for your choosing not to do so. Quite why the rules bother to state that "If the home side is unable to find a suitable venue then the away team shall be offered the opportunity to host the match" is baffling. If the home side simply do not want to play then they can simply say "no thanks".
So that leaves the games that are due to be played this weekend as the last games of the season. Quite simply Yorkshire know that if they beat bottom of the table Lancashire and get 7 or 8 bonus points then they will win the league. They know that if they were to play their cancelled game with Sussex and lose then they would have no chance of winning the league, and Sussex's chances would be enhanced, if they also scored more than 15 points. It seems it is a risk Yorkshire are not prepared to take, so they have simply refused to play.
As for Sussex, there seems to be nothing that they can do. If they beat Berkshire on Sunday and take full points then they will be level with Kent at the top of the league, but Yorkshire will be able to pass them too with 17/18 points from their last game.
And if it rains on Sunday, or Yorkshire or Sussex don't win with enough points, then Kent will be the champions. All in all not a desperately satisfactory way to end women's cricket's premier competition.
MD
09/IX/15
Tuesday, 1 September 2015
Div 1 Results and Round-Up
Only four of the eight scheduled games could be played this weekend due to excessive rain throughout the country.
League leaders Kent lost to Middlesex, while chasers Yorkshire and Sussex both won, but Yorkshire only by the skin of their teeth after a spirited fightback by Surrey, who fell just one run short. (Check out what this means at the top of the division here)
At the bottom Warwickshire picked up a vital win at Lancs on Monday, which puts Notts down into the second relegation place.
Notts finish their season at home against Surrey and Warwickshire finish theirs against Middlesex, also at home.
Lancs two losses means they will go straight back down to Div 2, no matter what the result of the local derby with Yorkshire on 13th September.
[league table here]
Yorkshire 174/6 (Elise Good 56, Sarah Clarke 3/27)
Surrey 173/8 (Sarah Clarke 51, Laura Spragg 3/33)
Yorkshire won by 1 run
Yorkshire made hard work of reaching 174/6 in their 50 overs, but it looked to be too much for Surrey as they slipped to 76/5 at the halfway point in their reply, but Sarah Clarke (51) and Bryony Smith (35), kept plugging away and they took Surrey into the last 10 overs needing 53 to win. From there on in Surrey managed to keep it at about a run a ball, with 19 needed off the last three overs and then seven from the last six balls with three wickets in hand, including Clarke. But with three needed off the last two balls, Clarke was caught at deep midwicket and Surrey could only manage one off the last ball, to leave Yorkshire winners by one run.
Middlesex 238 all out (Fran Wilson 90, Beth Morgan 77)
Kent 146 all out (Tammy Beaumont 32)
Middlesex won by 92 runs
Middlesex looked to be in all sorts of bother at 48/3, but this just meant that Fran Wilson (90) and Beth Morgan (77) had more time at the crease together. They put together a 143 run partnership which saw Middlesex finally amass 238 all out to the last ball of their innings. In reply Kent never really got going. After 25 overs they were 64/3 and when Beaumont (32) was run out a short while after drinks all hope was gone for Kent. But with bonus points potentially crucial they past the 100 mark and looked like reaching 150, having been 132/8 with six overs to go and then 146/8 with 10 balls to come, but Jelfs and Belt fell to consecutive balls to leave Kent 4 short of another bonus point.
Lancashire 198/9 (Nat Brown 56, Holly Colvin 3/19, Izzy Collis 3/19)
Sussex 199/4 (Alexia Walker 50*, Holly Colvin 48*)
Sussex won by 6 wickets
Nat Brown was chiefly responsible for Lancashire posting 198/9 at Wigan where the wicket had a very short boundary on one side. Holly Colvin picked up 3/19, as did leg-spinner Izzy Collis. Nalisha Patel and Sophie Ecclestone added an unbeaten 35 for the last Lancs' wicket. In reply Sussex lost a couple of early wickets before Collis (34) and Paige Scholfield (33) added 50 for the third wicket. Both went smashing long-hops to deep square, but veterans Alexia Walker (50*) and Colvin (48*) saw Sussex home comfortably in the 41st over.
Warwickshire 109/1
Berkshire
Match Abandoned
Lancashire 86 all out (Emma Lamb 37, Katie Green 3/19, Georgia Davis 3/28)
Warwickshire 87/2 (Amy Jones 30*)
Warwickshire won by 8 wickets
Warwickshire completed a huge win, in all senses, against Lancs on BH Monday, when no other games were played.
Having been inserted Lancs struggled to make 86 all out in 31 overs, with only Emma Lamb (37) making it into double figures. As the drizzle continued to fall Warwickshire made short work of the reply and claimed a maximum 18 points, which will help their relegation battle no end.
Yorkshire v Sussex - Cancelled
Berks v Kent - Cancelled
Middlesex v Notts - Cancelled
MD
01/IX/15
League leaders Kent lost to Middlesex, while chasers Yorkshire and Sussex both won, but Yorkshire only by the skin of their teeth after a spirited fightback by Surrey, who fell just one run short. (Check out what this means at the top of the division here)
At the bottom Warwickshire picked up a vital win at Lancs on Monday, which puts Notts down into the second relegation place.
Notts finish their season at home against Surrey and Warwickshire finish theirs against Middlesex, also at home.
Lancs two losses means they will go straight back down to Div 2, no matter what the result of the local derby with Yorkshire on 13th September.
[league table here]
Yorkshire 174/6 (Elise Good 56, Sarah Clarke 3/27)
Surrey 173/8 (Sarah Clarke 51, Laura Spragg 3/33)
Yorkshire won by 1 run
Yorkshire made hard work of reaching 174/6 in their 50 overs, but it looked to be too much for Surrey as they slipped to 76/5 at the halfway point in their reply, but Sarah Clarke (51) and Bryony Smith (35), kept plugging away and they took Surrey into the last 10 overs needing 53 to win. From there on in Surrey managed to keep it at about a run a ball, with 19 needed off the last three overs and then seven from the last six balls with three wickets in hand, including Clarke. But with three needed off the last two balls, Clarke was caught at deep midwicket and Surrey could only manage one off the last ball, to leave Yorkshire winners by one run.
Middlesex 238 all out (Fran Wilson 90, Beth Morgan 77)
Kent 146 all out (Tammy Beaumont 32)
Middlesex won by 92 runs
Middlesex looked to be in all sorts of bother at 48/3, but this just meant that Fran Wilson (90) and Beth Morgan (77) had more time at the crease together. They put together a 143 run partnership which saw Middlesex finally amass 238 all out to the last ball of their innings. In reply Kent never really got going. After 25 overs they were 64/3 and when Beaumont (32) was run out a short while after drinks all hope was gone for Kent. But with bonus points potentially crucial they past the 100 mark and looked like reaching 150, having been 132/8 with six overs to go and then 146/8 with 10 balls to come, but Jelfs and Belt fell to consecutive balls to leave Kent 4 short of another bonus point.
Lancashire 198/9 (Nat Brown 56, Holly Colvin 3/19, Izzy Collis 3/19)
Sussex 199/4 (Alexia Walker 50*, Holly Colvin 48*)
Sussex won by 6 wickets
Nat Brown was chiefly responsible for Lancashire posting 198/9 at Wigan where the wicket had a very short boundary on one side. Holly Colvin picked up 3/19, as did leg-spinner Izzy Collis. Nalisha Patel and Sophie Ecclestone added an unbeaten 35 for the last Lancs' wicket. In reply Sussex lost a couple of early wickets before Collis (34) and Paige Scholfield (33) added 50 for the third wicket. Both went smashing long-hops to deep square, but veterans Alexia Walker (50*) and Colvin (48*) saw Sussex home comfortably in the 41st over.
Warwickshire 109/1
Berkshire
Match Abandoned
Lancashire 86 all out (Emma Lamb 37, Katie Green 3/19, Georgia Davis 3/28)
Warwickshire 87/2 (Amy Jones 30*)
Warwickshire won by 8 wickets
Warwickshire completed a huge win, in all senses, against Lancs on BH Monday, when no other games were played.
Having been inserted Lancs struggled to make 86 all out in 31 overs, with only Emma Lamb (37) making it into double figures. As the drizzle continued to fall Warwickshire made short work of the reply and claimed a maximum 18 points, which will help their relegation battle no end.
Yorkshire v Sussex - Cancelled
Berks v Kent - Cancelled
Middlesex v Notts - Cancelled
MD
01/IX/15
Don't let cancelled games settle Div 1 Title!
Defeat for Kent at the hands of Middlesex, and wins for both Yorkshire (just) and Sussex on Bank Holiday Sunday set up the Monday games (Berks v Kent and Yorkshire v Sussex) as key matches in deciding which of the three teams would walk away with the 2015 County Championship title. Unfortunately the weather intervened and neither game got underway, so yet again a women's competition is thrown into uncertainty.
As things stand Kent are currently top of the league with an average of 15 (105 points in 7 games), followed by Yorkshire on 14.83 (89 points in 6 games) and Sussex on 14.5 (87 points in 6 games).
Kent have completed their scheduled fixture list, but should replay the cancelled Berkshire game before 28th September. Yorkshire still have Lancashire to play on 13th September and Sussex have Berkshire to play on the same day. They too should replay their cancelled game before the end of September. But will either cancelled game get played?
Under the league rules counties have seven days to agree a date and venue for the cancelled fixture. If the home side cannot sort it out then the away side are entitled to. All fixtures must be played by 28th September. But the counties have a very poor record of cancelled games being reorganised, especially this late in the season.
If the cancelled games are not played then if Yorkshire beat Lancashire and score seven or eight bonus points, they will win the league. If they score 6 bonus points they will be level with Kent on 105 points, but Kent's win over Yorkshire would mean they win.
However if Sussex were to beat Berkshire and claim full bonus points (8) then they too could finish on 105 points, which could see a three-way tie, for which there is no provision in the league rules.
If it ends up just being Kent and Sussex at the top then it would come down to which team has the highest net run rate for all completed matches, as the teams tied in the notorious Beckenham encounter earlier in the season.
Let's avoid all that and get the games played and have a proper winner of the 2015 Women's County Championship.
MD
01/IX/15
As things stand Kent are currently top of the league with an average of 15 (105 points in 7 games), followed by Yorkshire on 14.83 (89 points in 6 games) and Sussex on 14.5 (87 points in 6 games).
Kent have completed their scheduled fixture list, but should replay the cancelled Berkshire game before 28th September. Yorkshire still have Lancashire to play on 13th September and Sussex have Berkshire to play on the same day. They too should replay their cancelled game before the end of September. But will either cancelled game get played?
Under the league rules counties have seven days to agree a date and venue for the cancelled fixture. If the home side cannot sort it out then the away side are entitled to. All fixtures must be played by 28th September. But the counties have a very poor record of cancelled games being reorganised, especially this late in the season.
If the cancelled games are not played then if Yorkshire beat Lancashire and score seven or eight bonus points, they will win the league. If they score 6 bonus points they will be level with Kent on 105 points, but Kent's win over Yorkshire would mean they win.
However if Sussex were to beat Berkshire and claim full bonus points (8) then they too could finish on 105 points, which could see a three-way tie, for which there is no provision in the league rules.
If it ends up just being Kent and Sussex at the top then it would come down to which team has the highest net run rate for all completed matches, as the teams tied in the notorious Beckenham encounter earlier in the season.
Let's avoid all that and get the games played and have a proper winner of the 2015 Women's County Championship.
MD
01/IX/15
Friday, 28 August 2015
Kent have seventh title within their grasp
This Bank Holiday weekend is the penultimate weekend for the Women's County Championship, with games being played on the Sunday and Monday (Wales and Durham are now playing Saturday rather than Monday). Both Div 1 & Div 2 games are previewed below.
Division One Preview & Fixtures
Due to the way the fixtures have worked out Div 1 table-toppers Kent actually finish their season this weekend, with away games at Middlesex and Berkshire, and they will know that two wins will give them the County Championship title for a record seventh time. Kent will be without their England trio of Edwards, Greenway and Marsh, but they will have Tammy Beaumont and Tash Farrant available for selection. But Middlesex should be at full strength with Fran Wilson back on duty, plus Aussie import Julie Hunter opening the bowling. If Middlesex can get Beaumont early they should back themselves to win. Monday's game against Berkshire will be no pushover for Kent either. If Berkshire can get a full-strength team on the park, minus Heather Knight, including players such as Rogers, Macleod, Hall, Rudd, Gumbs, Morris and Gardner they will fancy themselves to upset last year's County Champions.
Should Kent lose one or both games, then they will open the door for chasers Yorkshire and Sussex. The two teams meet in a potentially massive game on Bank Holiday Monday at Harrogate CC, but before that clash they have Surrey and Lancashire, respectively, to overcome. Surrey have had a torrid season. They have just finished bottom of the Div 1 T20 table without recording a win and they have not won a game in the Championship or the T20 competition since 21st June. Yorkshire are of course without Brunt, Hazell and Winfield, so they will be relying on their youngsters to keep up their title challenge.
Sussex's Sunday opponents, Lancashire, are also struggling in the Championship without a victory in five games, but they have romped away with the Div 2 T20 title, which should instill some confidence in them. They will, of course, have Kate Cross back in their midst, so Sussex without Taylor and Elwiss again, will need to be on their toes.
If both teams can win on the Sunday then Monday's Harrogate game will be huge. The winner could go on to take the Championship. The loser can wave goodbye to any Championship ambitions. Yorkshire narrowly missed out on the Div 1 T20 title to Sussex on NRR, so they will be keen to avenge that loss, but they will be without opening bats Beth Mooney (returned to Australia) and Jess Watson (injured), so will be reliant on youngsters such as Cecilia Allen, Hannah Buck, Katie Thompson, Phoebe Austin and Bea Firth to show what they can do. It could be a tough ask against a strong Sussex bowling attack, spearheaded by the experienced Holly Colvin and with the new ball threat of Freya Davies.
At the bottom of the league Lancashire meet second-to-bottom Warwickshire on Monday at home. With two teams to be relegated it is a must-win game for both counties. Warwickshire will have met Berkshire the previous day and if they could secure two wins they would lift themselves out of the relegation zone with one game (against Middlesex) still to come. They will have been buoyed by recent T20 performances (albeit in Div 2) and with Amy Jones back in their batting line-up they could make life uncomfortable for the teams just above them in the league table at the current time, particularly Notts and Middlesex, who also meet each other on Monday at Middlesex's new home ground at Merchant Taylor's School. Middlesex must be favourites to come out on top with Notts missing Jenny Gunn and Danni Wyatt on England duties, but it is Notts' only game of the weekend so they will be fresh, whereas Middlesex will have battled it out with Kent the day before.
Sunday 30th August
Lancs v Sussex at Wigan CC
Middx v Kent at Merchant Taylor's School
Warwickshire v Berks at Wellesbourne CC
Yorkshire v Surrey at Harrogate CC
Monday 31st August
Berks v Kent at North Maidenhead CC
Lancs v Warwickshire at Urmston CC
Middx v Notts at Merchant Taylor's School
Yorkshire v Sussex at Harrogate CC
Division Two Preview and Fixtures
Somerset and Staffs looked nailed on to take the top two promotion places in Div 2 but they can make sure this weekend. Somerset are at home to third-placed Durham on Sunday and then travel to Worcestershire on Monday. Durham have won their last three games against Ireland, Worcester and Scotland so could give Somerset something to think about. Somerset will know if they win both games with decent bonus points they will be promoted - a feat which has tantalisingly alluded them for the past couple of seasons.
Staffs meanwhile (without overseas leading run-scorer Molly Strano) have just the one game on Monday against a reinvigorated Essex. Essex lost their first four games in Div 2 after relegation from Div 1 last year, but they picked up their first County Championship win in the last round against Worcestershire and have had a decent Div 2 T20 campaign, just missing out on promotion back to Div 1. They take on Scotland the day before, who are currently rock-bottom of Div 2, and two wins could drag Essex out of the relegation zone and the possibility of dropping two divisions in two years. The game at Garon Park on Monday could be a tense affair. If Lily Reynolds can retain her form with the bat for Essex (she hit 170 against Worcestershire) they could make life very uncomfortable for Staffs.
Wales, currently third from bottom, take on Durham on Saturday and then Ireland on Sunday. They cannot rely on those around them losing, but they will have their work cut out to get much from these two games. Durham are on a roll and Ireland have had a good Div 1 T20 campaign and performed admirably against Australia in the recent T20 series in Dublin. Two wins for Ireland (who finish their season this weekend) or Durham, and a slip by Staffs, and both teams could still be in with a shout of promotion to Div 1 next year. Ireland's game on Monday is against Scotland, who will have travelled all the way down to Essex the day before and then back to the midlands for this game. It could be a long drive back home to Scotland on Monday evening if they fail to pick up a win.
Devon's only game of the weekend is against Worcestershire on Sunday. Worcestershire could do with the win with Wales and Essex only one win behind them, but mid-table Devon will want to prove they are better than recent results have suggested. They have lost their last three games to Staffs, Ireland and Somerset to end any hopes they may have had of promotion. It should be a good game.
Saturday 29th August
Wales v Durham at Llanarth CC
Sunday 30th Aug
Essex v Scotland at Billericay CC
Somerset v Durham at Midsomer Norton CC
Wales v Ireland at Newport CC
Worcs v Devon at New Road, Worcs
Mon 31st Aug
Essex v Staffs at Garon Park, Southend
Scotland v Ireland at Wellesbourne CC
Worcs v Somerset at Romsley CC
MD
28/VIII/15
Division One Preview & Fixtures
Due to the way the fixtures have worked out Div 1 table-toppers Kent actually finish their season this weekend, with away games at Middlesex and Berkshire, and they will know that two wins will give them the County Championship title for a record seventh time. Kent will be without their England trio of Edwards, Greenway and Marsh, but they will have Tammy Beaumont and Tash Farrant available for selection. But Middlesex should be at full strength with Fran Wilson back on duty, plus Aussie import Julie Hunter opening the bowling. If Middlesex can get Beaumont early they should back themselves to win. Monday's game against Berkshire will be no pushover for Kent either. If Berkshire can get a full-strength team on the park, minus Heather Knight, including players such as Rogers, Macleod, Hall, Rudd, Gumbs, Morris and Gardner they will fancy themselves to upset last year's County Champions.
Should Kent lose one or both games, then they will open the door for chasers Yorkshire and Sussex. The two teams meet in a potentially massive game on Bank Holiday Monday at Harrogate CC, but before that clash they have Surrey and Lancashire, respectively, to overcome. Surrey have had a torrid season. They have just finished bottom of the Div 1 T20 table without recording a win and they have not won a game in the Championship or the T20 competition since 21st June. Yorkshire are of course without Brunt, Hazell and Winfield, so they will be relying on their youngsters to keep up their title challenge.
Sussex's Sunday opponents, Lancashire, are also struggling in the Championship without a victory in five games, but they have romped away with the Div 2 T20 title, which should instill some confidence in them. They will, of course, have Kate Cross back in their midst, so Sussex without Taylor and Elwiss again, will need to be on their toes.
If both teams can win on the Sunday then Monday's Harrogate game will be huge. The winner could go on to take the Championship. The loser can wave goodbye to any Championship ambitions. Yorkshire narrowly missed out on the Div 1 T20 title to Sussex on NRR, so they will be keen to avenge that loss, but they will be without opening bats Beth Mooney (returned to Australia) and Jess Watson (injured), so will be reliant on youngsters such as Cecilia Allen, Hannah Buck, Katie Thompson, Phoebe Austin and Bea Firth to show what they can do. It could be a tough ask against a strong Sussex bowling attack, spearheaded by the experienced Holly Colvin and with the new ball threat of Freya Davies.
At the bottom of the league Lancashire meet second-to-bottom Warwickshire on Monday at home. With two teams to be relegated it is a must-win game for both counties. Warwickshire will have met Berkshire the previous day and if they could secure two wins they would lift themselves out of the relegation zone with one game (against Middlesex) still to come. They will have been buoyed by recent T20 performances (albeit in Div 2) and with Amy Jones back in their batting line-up they could make life uncomfortable for the teams just above them in the league table at the current time, particularly Notts and Middlesex, who also meet each other on Monday at Middlesex's new home ground at Merchant Taylor's School. Middlesex must be favourites to come out on top with Notts missing Jenny Gunn and Danni Wyatt on England duties, but it is Notts' only game of the weekend so they will be fresh, whereas Middlesex will have battled it out with Kent the day before.
Sunday 30th August
Lancs v Sussex at Wigan CC
Middx v Kent at Merchant Taylor's School
Warwickshire v Berks at Wellesbourne CC
Yorkshire v Surrey at Harrogate CC
Monday 31st August
Berks v Kent at North Maidenhead CC
Lancs v Warwickshire at Urmston CC
Middx v Notts at Merchant Taylor's School
Yorkshire v Sussex at Harrogate CC
Division Two Preview and Fixtures
Somerset and Staffs looked nailed on to take the top two promotion places in Div 2 but they can make sure this weekend. Somerset are at home to third-placed Durham on Sunday and then travel to Worcestershire on Monday. Durham have won their last three games against Ireland, Worcester and Scotland so could give Somerset something to think about. Somerset will know if they win both games with decent bonus points they will be promoted - a feat which has tantalisingly alluded them for the past couple of seasons.
Staffs meanwhile (without overseas leading run-scorer Molly Strano) have just the one game on Monday against a reinvigorated Essex. Essex lost their first four games in Div 2 after relegation from Div 1 last year, but they picked up their first County Championship win in the last round against Worcestershire and have had a decent Div 2 T20 campaign, just missing out on promotion back to Div 1. They take on Scotland the day before, who are currently rock-bottom of Div 2, and two wins could drag Essex out of the relegation zone and the possibility of dropping two divisions in two years. The game at Garon Park on Monday could be a tense affair. If Lily Reynolds can retain her form with the bat for Essex (she hit 170 against Worcestershire) they could make life very uncomfortable for Staffs.
Wales, currently third from bottom, take on Durham on Saturday and then Ireland on Sunday. They cannot rely on those around them losing, but they will have their work cut out to get much from these two games. Durham are on a roll and Ireland have had a good Div 1 T20 campaign and performed admirably against Australia in the recent T20 series in Dublin. Two wins for Ireland (who finish their season this weekend) or Durham, and a slip by Staffs, and both teams could still be in with a shout of promotion to Div 1 next year. Ireland's game on Monday is against Scotland, who will have travelled all the way down to Essex the day before and then back to the midlands for this game. It could be a long drive back home to Scotland on Monday evening if they fail to pick up a win.
Devon's only game of the weekend is against Worcestershire on Sunday. Worcestershire could do with the win with Wales and Essex only one win behind them, but mid-table Devon will want to prove they are better than recent results have suggested. They have lost their last three games to Staffs, Ireland and Somerset to end any hopes they may have had of promotion. It should be a good game.
Saturday 29th August
Wales v Durham at Llanarth CC
Sunday 30th Aug
Essex v Scotland at Billericay CC
Somerset v Durham at Midsomer Norton CC
Wales v Ireland at Newport CC
Worcs v Devon at New Road, Worcs
Mon 31st Aug
Essex v Staffs at Garon Park, Southend
Scotland v Ireland at Wellesbourne CC
Worcs v Somerset at Romsley CC
MD
28/VIII/15
Monday, 17 August 2015
Three-way tie at top of Div 1 settled by NRR!!
In the preview on Friday we suggested that it was perfectly possible for there to be a four-way tie at the top of Div 1 of the NatWest County T20 competition after the final games were played on Sunday. As it turned out three teams all finished on 24 points.
Division One
Yorkshire, Ireland and Middlesex are at Harrogate CC
Sussex, Somerset and Berkshire are at East Grinstead CC
Kent, Surrey and Notts are at Polo Farm Sports Club
How the drama unfolded
At the start of the day it was Yorkshire and Kent who were in the driving seat with five wins out of six under their belts, one win ahead of Sussex and Middlesex, but by 1.30pm the situation had altered dramatically.
Yorkshire (86 all out) had lost to Ireland (87/3) by 7 wickets; Kent (56 all out) had lost to Notts (136/4) by 80 runs (Jenny Gunn 51* and 5/3); and Sussex (95/9) had beaten Berks (92/7) by three runs ( Freya Davies 4/19).
All three teams were now level on points.
By 4.30pm Middlesex (92/5) (playing their first game of the day) had joined them there after beating Ireland (68 all out) by 24 runs.
All four teams were now level on points.
And all four teams were playing in the last games of the day and the last games of the tournament:-
Kent were playing Surrey
Sussex were taking on Somerset
and Yorkshire and Middlesex were taking on each other
Kent completed a solid win over Surrey after racking up 146/0 (including 104* for Tammy Beaumont) and restricting them to 115 all out. They moved on to 24 points
Sussex had allowed Somerset to rack up 127/8 (despite Holly Colvin's 4/10), but then managed to chase this score down reaching 130/4 in 18 overs thanks to 60 from Georgia Adams. They too moved on to 24 points.
It was now a question of who would win out of Yorkshire and Middlesex and thereby join Kent and Sussex equal on points at the top of the league.
If Yorkshire won then it would come down to a NRR calculation as each team had lost one game to one of the other two. If Middlesex won Kent would be champions as they had beaten both Middlesex and Sussex in the group matches.
Yorkshire batted first and made 116/4 (Alex Macdonald 52*). Middlesex started off strong in reply and were 29/0 after three overs, but at the start of the fourth over they lost Tash Miles, and then in the sixth Sophia Dunkley, to be pegged back to 35/2. By the half-way stage Fran Wilson (29) and Cath Dalton (6) had taken Middlesex to 54/2. They needed 63 off the last 10 overs. In the 13th over they lost Dalton, quickly followed by Wilson and Dattani in the 15th over. At 73/5 Yorkshire seemed to have the game under control, but Beth Morgan (25*) and Izzy Westbury (21*) made one final charge for Middlesex. They got it down to 19 off the last two overs and then 10 off the last one, and then four off the last ball. But they could only manage one, leaving Yorkshire victors by 2 runs.
As the NRR calculation needed all the group match scores for all three teams no definitive calculations could be made until all the results went up on the Play Cricket website, which did not happen until 5pm today. It showed that Sussex had won by 0.05NRR (see final table here) from Yorkshire, with Kent third.
At the bottom of the table Notts pulled off a magnificent Houdini act securing wins against Kent and Surrey to lift themselves out of the second relegation place. Two further defeats for bottom club Surrey consigned them to Div 2 T20 cricket next year, where they will be joined by Somerset, who gave themselves a chance of escaping the drop by convincingly beating Berkshire by 47 runs, but then lost to Sussex as they charged for the title.
Division Two
Derbyshire, Cheshire and Warwickshire are at Denby CC
Essex, Wales and the Netherlands are at Billericay CC
Durham, Staffs and Lancashire are at Durham City CC
In Division Two Lancashire won both their games against Durham and Staffs to remain unbeaten and ensure promotion to Div 1 next year as Division Two champions. They will be accompanied by Warwickshire who also won both their games to finish clear in second place ahead of Essex. Two defeats for Staffs and the Netherlands ruined their chances of promotion, and Durham's win over Staffs was enough to consign Derbyshire and Cheshire to Div 3 T20 cricket next year.
MD
17/VIII/15
Division One
Yorkshire, Ireland and Middlesex are at Harrogate CC
Sussex, Somerset and Berkshire are at East Grinstead CC
Kent, Surrey and Notts are at Polo Farm Sports Club
How the drama unfolded
At the start of the day it was Yorkshire and Kent who were in the driving seat with five wins out of six under their belts, one win ahead of Sussex and Middlesex, but by 1.30pm the situation had altered dramatically.
Yorkshire (86 all out) had lost to Ireland (87/3) by 7 wickets; Kent (56 all out) had lost to Notts (136/4) by 80 runs (Jenny Gunn 51* and 5/3); and Sussex (95/9) had beaten Berks (92/7) by three runs ( Freya Davies 4/19).
All three teams were now level on points.
By 4.30pm Middlesex (92/5) (playing their first game of the day) had joined them there after beating Ireland (68 all out) by 24 runs.
All four teams were now level on points.
And all four teams were playing in the last games of the day and the last games of the tournament:-
Kent were playing Surrey
Sussex were taking on Somerset
and Yorkshire and Middlesex were taking on each other
Kent completed a solid win over Surrey after racking up 146/0 (including 104* for Tammy Beaumont) and restricting them to 115 all out. They moved on to 24 points
Sussex had allowed Somerset to rack up 127/8 (despite Holly Colvin's 4/10), but then managed to chase this score down reaching 130/4 in 18 overs thanks to 60 from Georgia Adams. They too moved on to 24 points.
It was now a question of who would win out of Yorkshire and Middlesex and thereby join Kent and Sussex equal on points at the top of the league.
If Yorkshire won then it would come down to a NRR calculation as each team had lost one game to one of the other two. If Middlesex won Kent would be champions as they had beaten both Middlesex and Sussex in the group matches.
Yorkshire batted first and made 116/4 (Alex Macdonald 52*). Middlesex started off strong in reply and were 29/0 after three overs, but at the start of the fourth over they lost Tash Miles, and then in the sixth Sophia Dunkley, to be pegged back to 35/2. By the half-way stage Fran Wilson (29) and Cath Dalton (6) had taken Middlesex to 54/2. They needed 63 off the last 10 overs. In the 13th over they lost Dalton, quickly followed by Wilson and Dattani in the 15th over. At 73/5 Yorkshire seemed to have the game under control, but Beth Morgan (25*) and Izzy Westbury (21*) made one final charge for Middlesex. They got it down to 19 off the last two overs and then 10 off the last one, and then four off the last ball. But they could only manage one, leaving Yorkshire victors by 2 runs.
As the NRR calculation needed all the group match scores for all three teams no definitive calculations could be made until all the results went up on the Play Cricket website, which did not happen until 5pm today. It showed that Sussex had won by 0.05NRR (see final table here) from Yorkshire, with Kent third.
At the bottom of the table Notts pulled off a magnificent Houdini act securing wins against Kent and Surrey to lift themselves out of the second relegation place. Two further defeats for bottom club Surrey consigned them to Div 2 T20 cricket next year, where they will be joined by Somerset, who gave themselves a chance of escaping the drop by convincingly beating Berkshire by 47 runs, but then lost to Sussex as they charged for the title.
Division Two
Derbyshire, Cheshire and Warwickshire are at Denby CC
Essex, Wales and the Netherlands are at Billericay CC
Durham, Staffs and Lancashire are at Durham City CC
In Division Two Lancashire won both their games against Durham and Staffs to remain unbeaten and ensure promotion to Div 1 next year as Division Two champions. They will be accompanied by Warwickshire who also won both their games to finish clear in second place ahead of Essex. Two defeats for Staffs and the Netherlands ruined their chances of promotion, and Durham's win over Staffs was enough to consign Derbyshire and Cheshire to Div 3 T20 cricket next year.
MD
17/VIII/15
Thursday, 30 July 2015
Round 3 of County T20 this Sunday
We may be in the middle of an Ashes Series, but the county fixtures continue this weekend with the third round of the Nat West County T20 competition. It seems that none of the England contracted players will be in action for their counties, and several Academy players will also be missing as they line-up for the EWA in a two day warm-up game against Australia at Loughborough this weekend.
This weekend's groupings are:-
Division One
Yorkshire, Somerset and Kent at Harrogate CC
Notts, Ireland and Sussex at Welbeck CC
Middlesex, Surrey and Berkshire at Merchant Taylors' School
Division Two
Wales, Staffs and Derbyshire at Pontarddulais CC
Lancs, Netherlands and Cheshire at Glossop CC
Warwickshire, Essex and Durham at Knowle & Dorridge CC
Preview
Division One is led by unbeaten Kent at the moment with Yorkshire and Sussex hard on their heels. Kent will be without six frontline players, which should give Yorkshire and Somerset an opportunity. But Yorkshire are themselves without Brunt, Hazell and Winfield and Somerset will be missing Shrubsole, and South African Lizelle Lee, who has had to return to South Africa due to a serious shoulder injury. Yorkshire will be very keen to pick up two more wins, inflicting a defeat on Kent on the way, which would take them to the top of the league.
In Nottinghamshire Sussex will hope to come away with two victories in their games against Notts and Ireland. Again the two English counties will be missing some key players, but Sussex's strength in depth could see them through if they can put some runs on the board.
The tightest games are likely to be at Merchant Taylors' School, where Middlesex, Surrey and Berkshire clash. Middlesex have struggled of late, whereas Berkshire are on a bit of a roll. Surrey might trouble them both, so your guess is as good as mine on these three fixtures.
In Division Two Lancashire, who are struggling in Div 1 of the County Championship are currently unbeaten in Div 2 T20 games. This Sunday they take on second placed Netherlands and mid-table Cheshire in what looks like the match-up of the weekend. It would not surprise me for honours to be even at the end of the day.
Staffs, who are unbeaten in Div 2 of the County Championship have yet to hit their straps in the T20 competition, with losses to Netherlands and Warwickshire in their first four games. They will be keen to add two more wins this Sunday when they meet Derbyshire and Wales, who are currently the bottom two in Div 2 of the T20.
Mid-tabled Warwickshire, Essex and Durham meet each other at the quaintly named Knowle & Dorridge CC in the West Midlands. Two wins for either Warwickshire or Durham could put them in with a shout of promotion to Div 1 next season, with just two more games to come after this weekend. Remember the top two teams in Div 2 will be promoted to Div 1 next year. There are no play-offs, so there is plenty to play for.
MD
30/VII/15
This weekend's groupings are:-
Division One
Yorkshire, Somerset and Kent at Harrogate CC
Notts, Ireland and Sussex at Welbeck CC
Middlesex, Surrey and Berkshire at Merchant Taylors' School
Division Two
Wales, Staffs and Derbyshire at Pontarddulais CC
Lancs, Netherlands and Cheshire at Glossop CC
Warwickshire, Essex and Durham at Knowle & Dorridge CC
Preview
Division One is led by unbeaten Kent at the moment with Yorkshire and Sussex hard on their heels. Kent will be without six frontline players, which should give Yorkshire and Somerset an opportunity. But Yorkshire are themselves without Brunt, Hazell and Winfield and Somerset will be missing Shrubsole, and South African Lizelle Lee, who has had to return to South Africa due to a serious shoulder injury. Yorkshire will be very keen to pick up two more wins, inflicting a defeat on Kent on the way, which would take them to the top of the league.
In Nottinghamshire Sussex will hope to come away with two victories in their games against Notts and Ireland. Again the two English counties will be missing some key players, but Sussex's strength in depth could see them through if they can put some runs on the board.
The tightest games are likely to be at Merchant Taylors' School, where Middlesex, Surrey and Berkshire clash. Middlesex have struggled of late, whereas Berkshire are on a bit of a roll. Surrey might trouble them both, so your guess is as good as mine on these three fixtures.
In Division Two Lancashire, who are struggling in Div 1 of the County Championship are currently unbeaten in Div 2 T20 games. This Sunday they take on second placed Netherlands and mid-table Cheshire in what looks like the match-up of the weekend. It would not surprise me for honours to be even at the end of the day.
Staffs, who are unbeaten in Div 2 of the County Championship have yet to hit their straps in the T20 competition, with losses to Netherlands and Warwickshire in their first four games. They will be keen to add two more wins this Sunday when they meet Derbyshire and Wales, who are currently the bottom two in Div 2 of the T20.
Mid-tabled Warwickshire, Essex and Durham meet each other at the quaintly named Knowle & Dorridge CC in the West Midlands. Two wins for either Warwickshire or Durham could put them in with a shout of promotion to Div 1 next season, with just two more games to come after this weekend. Remember the top two teams in Div 2 will be promoted to Div 1 next year. There are no play-offs, so there is plenty to play for.
MD
30/VII/15
Monday, 20 July 2015
Div 1 leaders Kent recover to win, and Somerset & Staffs look set fair for Div 1 next year
Division One
Kent came back from being 49/6 chasing Surrey's 140 all out to win by four wickets, thanks to an unbroken stand of 92 between Charlotte Pape (59*) with her maiden half-century for Kent and Phoebe Franklin (26*). It means that Kent remain unbeaten and top of Division One, with just two games to play, against Middlesex and Berkshire.
Yorkshire kept up the pressure at the top with a solid win over Nottinghamshire thanks to a great all-round performance from Cecilia Allen, who top-scored with 70* and then took 3/12 as Notts ended 47 runs adrift of Yorkshire's 191/6.
Sussex too kept their title chances alive with a 4 wicket win over Middlesex at Hove. Middlesex were bowled out for 151 with England veteran Beth Morgan holding the Middlesex innings together with 72. Not to be outdone Sussex's former England star Holly Colvin claimed 5/33 and then finished 27* as Sussex got over the line with 22 balls and four wickets to spare.
Berkshire made sure that Lancashire's first season in Div 1 remains winless to date, with a thumping 156 run defeat. It was set up by Alice MacLeod (107) and Sherisa Gumbs (80) who added 165 for the second wicket for Berkshire as they scored a mammoth 308/7. Lancs were always going to struggle with such a mountain to climb and they managed to score just less than half the runs they needed before they were bowled out.
Div 1 Results
Berkshire beat Lancashire by 156 runs
Berkshire 308/5 (Alice MacLeod 107, Sherisa Gumbs 80, Megan Firclough 3/45)
Lancashire 152 (Bhumika Doshi 30, Linsey Smith 3/18, Lauren Bell 3/48)
Yorkshire beat Notts by 47 runs
Yorkshire 191/6 (Cecilia Allen 70*, Laura Spragg 34*)
Notts 144 (Sonia Odedra 31, Cecilia Allen 3/12)
Kent beat Surrey by 4 wickets
Surrey 140 (Kirstie White 51, Megan Belt 4/24)
Kent 141/6 (Charlotte Pape 59*)
Sussex beat Middlesex by 4 wickets
Middlesex 151 (Beth Morgan 72, Holly Colvin 5/33)
Sussex 154/6 (Holly Colvin 27*, Izzy Westbury 3/32)
Division Two
Staffs overcame a potentially difficult hurdle with a convincing win over Devon by six wickets. Devon were bowled out for just 108, but it could have been worse if number 10 Hazelle Garton had not managed to score 36 adding 57 for the last two Devon wickets. Staffs looked to be cruising to victory, before a flurry of wickets left them at 65/4, but Devon could not make any further in-roads into the Staffs batting order as Kathryn Whyle (22*) and Alex Hale (14*) took the Midlanders a step nearer Div 1.
But Somerset remain top of Div 2 thanks to an easy win over Scotland. Gwenan Davies (77) led her adopted county to 214/7 and Scotland never looked like getting very close after being reduced to 8/3. The middle order brought some respectability to the scorecard, but were never up with the rate and Scotland were bowled out in the 45th over for 129.
Essex chalked up their first win of the season against Worcestershire thanks to a magnificent 170 from Lily Reynolds. She opened and was the fourth wicket to fall by which time she had scored 170 out of Essex's 253. They went on to finish on 272/5. Worcestershire managed to get beyond 200 in reply, thanks in part to top-scoring extras of 48, plus some decent middle-order contributions.
And finally Durham managed another nail-biting win, this time against Ireland, by 7 runs. They are becoming masters of the art of defending low totals. This time they scored just 125 before they were bowled out in the 45th over. In reply Ireland lost wickets regularly falling seven runs short with three overs still to be bowled.
Div 2 Results
Durham beat Ireland by 7 runs
Durham 125 (Becky Glen 30, Kim Garth 3/13)
Ireland 118 (Mary Waldron 32*, Helen Fenby 4/18)
Essex beat Worcestershire by 68 runs
Essex 272/5 (Lily Reynolds 170)
Worcestershire 204/9 (Clare Boycott 44, Shona Keaney 3/38)
Somerset beat Scotland by 85 runs
Somerset 214/7 (Gwenan Davies 77)
Scotland 129 (Kathryn Bryce 37, Moira Comfort 3/26)
Staffordshire beat Devon by 6 wickets
Devon 108 (Hazelle Garton 36, Kathryn Whyle 3/30)
Staffs 109/4 (Kathryn Whyle 22*)
MD
20/VII/15
Kent came back from being 49/6 chasing Surrey's 140 all out to win by four wickets, thanks to an unbroken stand of 92 between Charlotte Pape (59*) with her maiden half-century for Kent and Phoebe Franklin (26*). It means that Kent remain unbeaten and top of Division One, with just two games to play, against Middlesex and Berkshire.
Yorkshire kept up the pressure at the top with a solid win over Nottinghamshire thanks to a great all-round performance from Cecilia Allen, who top-scored with 70* and then took 3/12 as Notts ended 47 runs adrift of Yorkshire's 191/6.
Sussex too kept their title chances alive with a 4 wicket win over Middlesex at Hove. Middlesex were bowled out for 151 with England veteran Beth Morgan holding the Middlesex innings together with 72. Not to be outdone Sussex's former England star Holly Colvin claimed 5/33 and then finished 27* as Sussex got over the line with 22 balls and four wickets to spare.
Berkshire made sure that Lancashire's first season in Div 1 remains winless to date, with a thumping 156 run defeat. It was set up by Alice MacLeod (107) and Sherisa Gumbs (80) who added 165 for the second wicket for Berkshire as they scored a mammoth 308/7. Lancs were always going to struggle with such a mountain to climb and they managed to score just less than half the runs they needed before they were bowled out.
Div 1 Results
Berkshire beat Lancashire by 156 runs
Berkshire 308/5 (Alice MacLeod 107, Sherisa Gumbs 80, Megan Firclough 3/45)
Lancashire 152 (Bhumika Doshi 30, Linsey Smith 3/18, Lauren Bell 3/48)
Yorkshire beat Notts by 47 runs
Yorkshire 191/6 (Cecilia Allen 70*, Laura Spragg 34*)
Notts 144 (Sonia Odedra 31, Cecilia Allen 3/12)
Kent beat Surrey by 4 wickets
Surrey 140 (Kirstie White 51, Megan Belt 4/24)
Kent 141/6 (Charlotte Pape 59*)
Sussex beat Middlesex by 4 wickets
Middlesex 151 (Beth Morgan 72, Holly Colvin 5/33)
Sussex 154/6 (Holly Colvin 27*, Izzy Westbury 3/32)
Division Two
Staffs overcame a potentially difficult hurdle with a convincing win over Devon by six wickets. Devon were bowled out for just 108, but it could have been worse if number 10 Hazelle Garton had not managed to score 36 adding 57 for the last two Devon wickets. Staffs looked to be cruising to victory, before a flurry of wickets left them at 65/4, but Devon could not make any further in-roads into the Staffs batting order as Kathryn Whyle (22*) and Alex Hale (14*) took the Midlanders a step nearer Div 1.
But Somerset remain top of Div 2 thanks to an easy win over Scotland. Gwenan Davies (77) led her adopted county to 214/7 and Scotland never looked like getting very close after being reduced to 8/3. The middle order brought some respectability to the scorecard, but were never up with the rate and Scotland were bowled out in the 45th over for 129.
Essex chalked up their first win of the season against Worcestershire thanks to a magnificent 170 from Lily Reynolds. She opened and was the fourth wicket to fall by which time she had scored 170 out of Essex's 253. They went on to finish on 272/5. Worcestershire managed to get beyond 200 in reply, thanks in part to top-scoring extras of 48, plus some decent middle-order contributions.
And finally Durham managed another nail-biting win, this time against Ireland, by 7 runs. They are becoming masters of the art of defending low totals. This time they scored just 125 before they were bowled out in the 45th over. In reply Ireland lost wickets regularly falling seven runs short with three overs still to be bowled.
Div 2 Results
Durham beat Ireland by 7 runs
Durham 125 (Becky Glen 30, Kim Garth 3/13)
Ireland 118 (Mary Waldron 32*, Helen Fenby 4/18)
Essex beat Worcestershire by 68 runs
Essex 272/5 (Lily Reynolds 170)
Worcestershire 204/9 (Clare Boycott 44, Shona Keaney 3/38)
Somerset beat Scotland by 85 runs
Somerset 214/7 (Gwenan Davies 77)
Scotland 129 (Kathryn Bryce 37, Moira Comfort 3/26)
Staffordshire beat Devon by 6 wickets
Devon 108 (Hazelle Garton 36, Kathryn Whyle 3/30)
Staffs 109/4 (Kathryn Whyle 22*)
MD
20/VII/15
Wednesday, 15 July 2015
Could this be a decisive weekend in the Women's County Championship?
After the latest T20 action a few days ago the Women's County Championship returns to prominence this Sunday with a full list of fixtures, despite the fact that 27 England (Ashes duties) and England Academy (warm-up game v Australia) players will not be available for selection for their counties. It means that the counties that have relied on their England contingent will have to dig into their reserves, and there will be opportunities for others to take the limelight, as Lissy MacLeod did for Berkshire on Saturday. She top-scored with 61 and took 4/26, as Berkshire posted 202 and then bowled out Middlesex for 165.
It was Middlesex's second County Championship defeat in a row, with two T20 defeats sandwiched in between. This Sunday they take on Sussex, who will be one of the teams who will suffer the most due to England duties. Middlesex will be hoping to reinvigorate their season and Sussex will be hoping to maintain some sort of title challenge.
So who will be missing England players this Sunday?
Kent (5) - Charlotte Edwards, Lyda Greenway, Laura Marsh, Tammy Beaumont, Tash Farrant
Sussex (4) - Georgia Elwiss, Sarah Taylor, Georgia Adams, Freya Davies
Yorkshire (3) - Katherine Brunt, Lauren Winfield, Dani Hazell
Berkshire (2) - Heather Knight, Carla Rudd
Lancashire (2) - Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone
Notts (2) - Jenny Gunn, Danielle Wyatt
Somerset (2) - Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Luff
Warwickshire (2) - Rebecca Grundy, Amy Jones
Devon - Jodie Dibble
Essex - Beth Langston
Middlesex - Fran Wilson
Staffs - Evelyn Jones
Surrey - Nat Sciver
Div One Games
Lancashire v Berks at Wigan CC
Notts v Yorkshire at Welbeck CC
Surrey v Kent at the Kia Oval
Sussex v Middlesex at the County Ground, Hove
League leaders Kent visit local rivals Surrey at the Kia Oval without five frontline players. Surrey will be missing just Nat Sciver from their ranks. It must flip the odds in favour of Surrey who should have Rachel Candy and Sarah Clarke to lead from the front. Could Surrey inflict the first defeat on Kent this summer?
Yorkshire will be without their captain Lauren Winfield plus Katherine Brunt and Dani Hazell for their trip to Welbeck to take on Notts. Yorkshire had a good win over Middlesex two weeks ago, with their Aussie import Beth Mooney a major contributor with the bat. Notts will be missing Danni Wyatt and Jenny Gunn without whom they may struggle for runs, which should allow Yorkshire to keep the pressure on at the top of the league.
Sussex invite Middlesex down to charming County Ground at Hove and they will have to fill in five gaps left by England duties, plus another as Erin Osborne too is on Ashes' duty, but for the other side. The opportunity will be there for Middlesex, but they are low on confidence and Sussex's young pups have very little to lose. One big performance could win this game for either side.
Winless Lancashire take on a resurgent Berkshire side, who beat Middlesex last Saturday for their second win in four games. Both teams will be missing two English players each, with Berks' skipper Heather Knight perhaps the most influential with both bat and ball. Berks will also be without the services of Alex Blackwell, but they have Corinne Hall to replace her and some experience amongst their ranks and I think they may still have just too much for this Lancs Thunder team.
Div Two Games
Durham v Ireland at Durham City CC
Essex v Worcestershire at Garon Park, Southend
Somerset v Scotland at Brislington CC
Staffs v Devon at Milford Hall CC
Staffs against Devon is the top clash in Div 2, with Staffs attempting to keep their unbeaten record and Devon desperate to keep up a challenge for promotion . They are currently third but have already lost two games. A further defeat would end their chances so they have to go for it against Staffs. Defeat would be a blow but not be a disaster for Staffs. They do still have Somerset (the only other unbeaten side) to play. Hopefully both teams will agree to play that cancelled game at some time before the season ends in September.
Somerset take on Scotland, who will be glad that Anya Shrubsole and Sophie Luff will not be lining up for the west country team. But Somerset are likely to still prove too strong for Scotland, who are yet to get off the mark in this higher division.
Also winless so far are Essex, who entertain Worcestershire, at the generally pretty flat Garon Park. I cannot see it being a run-fest, but Worcestershire might just have the edge with the experienced Kiwi Sian Ruck, opening their bolwing attack. Early wickets from her might just clinch it.
And finally Ireland are at Durham. Both teams are consistently inconsistent so anything could happen. Ireland come off the back off a good win over Devon last time out, and Durham beat Worcestershire in a two run cliffhanger. Ireland will miss the experience of the injured Izzy Joyce, who is likely to miss the rest of the season, and they need at least one of their top order batsmen to stand up and get some runs on the board for the team. It could be another nail-biter?
MD
15/VII/15
It was Middlesex's second County Championship defeat in a row, with two T20 defeats sandwiched in between. This Sunday they take on Sussex, who will be one of the teams who will suffer the most due to England duties. Middlesex will be hoping to reinvigorate their season and Sussex will be hoping to maintain some sort of title challenge.
So who will be missing England players this Sunday?
Kent (5) - Charlotte Edwards, Lyda Greenway, Laura Marsh, Tammy Beaumont, Tash Farrant
Sussex (4) - Georgia Elwiss, Sarah Taylor, Georgia Adams, Freya Davies
Yorkshire (3) - Katherine Brunt, Lauren Winfield, Dani Hazell
Berkshire (2) - Heather Knight, Carla Rudd
Lancashire (2) - Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone
Notts (2) - Jenny Gunn, Danielle Wyatt
Somerset (2) - Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Luff
Warwickshire (2) - Rebecca Grundy, Amy Jones
Devon - Jodie Dibble
Essex - Beth Langston
Middlesex - Fran Wilson
Staffs - Evelyn Jones
Surrey - Nat Sciver
Div One Games
Lancashire v Berks at Wigan CC
Notts v Yorkshire at Welbeck CC
Surrey v Kent at the Kia Oval
Sussex v Middlesex at the County Ground, Hove
League leaders Kent visit local rivals Surrey at the Kia Oval without five frontline players. Surrey will be missing just Nat Sciver from their ranks. It must flip the odds in favour of Surrey who should have Rachel Candy and Sarah Clarke to lead from the front. Could Surrey inflict the first defeat on Kent this summer?
Yorkshire will be without their captain Lauren Winfield plus Katherine Brunt and Dani Hazell for their trip to Welbeck to take on Notts. Yorkshire had a good win over Middlesex two weeks ago, with their Aussie import Beth Mooney a major contributor with the bat. Notts will be missing Danni Wyatt and Jenny Gunn without whom they may struggle for runs, which should allow Yorkshire to keep the pressure on at the top of the league.
Sussex invite Middlesex down to charming County Ground at Hove and they will have to fill in five gaps left by England duties, plus another as Erin Osborne too is on Ashes' duty, but for the other side. The opportunity will be there for Middlesex, but they are low on confidence and Sussex's young pups have very little to lose. One big performance could win this game for either side.
Winless Lancashire take on a resurgent Berkshire side, who beat Middlesex last Saturday for their second win in four games. Both teams will be missing two English players each, with Berks' skipper Heather Knight perhaps the most influential with both bat and ball. Berks will also be without the services of Alex Blackwell, but they have Corinne Hall to replace her and some experience amongst their ranks and I think they may still have just too much for this Lancs Thunder team.
Div Two Games
Durham v Ireland at Durham City CC
Essex v Worcestershire at Garon Park, Southend
Somerset v Scotland at Brislington CC
Staffs v Devon at Milford Hall CC
Staffs against Devon is the top clash in Div 2, with Staffs attempting to keep their unbeaten record and Devon desperate to keep up a challenge for promotion . They are currently third but have already lost two games. A further defeat would end their chances so they have to go for it against Staffs. Defeat would be a blow but not be a disaster for Staffs. They do still have Somerset (the only other unbeaten side) to play. Hopefully both teams will agree to play that cancelled game at some time before the season ends in September.
Somerset take on Scotland, who will be glad that Anya Shrubsole and Sophie Luff will not be lining up for the west country team. But Somerset are likely to still prove too strong for Scotland, who are yet to get off the mark in this higher division.
Also winless so far are Essex, who entertain Worcestershire, at the generally pretty flat Garon Park. I cannot see it being a run-fest, but Worcestershire might just have the edge with the experienced Kiwi Sian Ruck, opening their bolwing attack. Early wickets from her might just clinch it.
And finally Ireland are at Durham. Both teams are consistently inconsistent so anything could happen. Ireland come off the back off a good win over Devon last time out, and Durham beat Worcestershire in a two run cliffhanger. Ireland will miss the experience of the injured Izzy Joyce, who is likely to miss the rest of the season, and they need at least one of their top order batsmen to stand up and get some runs on the board for the team. It could be another nail-biter?
MD
15/VII/15
Friday, 3 July 2015
Unbeaten Kent, Middx & Sussex clash in Week 2 of County T20 action
This Sunday the women are back in Nat West County T20 action around the country. Here are the details of who is doing what, where and some interesting clashes to look out for. This is the final weekend this season before the England squad will be withdrawn from games to concentrate on the Ashes, so teams should be at their strongest, subject to injuries. First games start at 10.30am.
Division One
At Arundel Castle - Kent, Middlesex and Sussex
At Welbeck CC - Berkshire, Notts and Yorkshire
At Bath CC - Ireland, Somerset and Surrey
Kent, Middlesex and Sussex
It just so happens that the three teams that won both their fixtures on the opening day of the Nat West T20 competition all meet at the picturesque Arundel Castle ground this Sunday. Kent beat Berkshire and Ireland; Middlesex beat Notts and Somerset; and Sussex beat Surrey and Yorkshire. If one team could win both their games this weekend then they would being sitting pretty at the top of the league having played half their games.
Sussex have the most powerful and diverse bowling attack and they will rely on them to keep their opponents' scores in check. They will have their work cut out against Middlesex's opening pair of Sophia Dunkley and Tash Miles, and Kent's experienced top order of Edwards, Beaumont, Greenway and Marsh. Early wickets will be the key for Sussex.
It will be interesting to compare the left-arm spin of Sussex's former England star Holly Colvin and Middlesex's Alex Hartley, who is flirting with selection for the Ashes squad. Both are happy to give the ball some air and entice batsmen into false shots. Both could prove to be very effective again.
Kent have their own young spinner in Megan Belt, plus former Sussex player Laura Marsh, and Charlotte Edwards is once again twirling her arm over for her county.
The standard of cricket is going to be very high and one or two stand-out performances will win the individual games. Too close to call.
Berkshire, Notts and Yorkshire
Each of these teams picked up one win in the first week of the competition. Berkshire beat Ireland by eight wickets; Notts beat Somerset by seven wickets and Yorkshire beat Surrey by 10 wickets.
For Notts Danni Wyatt was in scintillating form with the bat. She scored 102 against Somerset and 89 (54b) in a losing cause against Middlesex. She is obviously a key wicket for Notts' opponents.
As are the Yorkshire opening pair of Lauren Winfield and Aussie Beth Mooney. Both looked in great touch as they clocked up an unbeaten opening partnership of 125 to waltz past Surrey's 122/7. In addition Yorkshire have the free-swinging Katherine Brunt and Alex Macdonald in their middle order. Berkshire have England VC Heather Knight at the top of their order, followed by the hard-hitting Lissy MacLeod. Get past those and you just have Australia's Alex Blackwell to contend with (playing her last game for Berkshire before joining her touring Aussie teammates).
Notts won the trophy last year and they have a good T20 pedigree, so I tip them to beat Berkshire, but I think they may find Yorkshire too strong for them. If Yorkshire can also overcome Berks it could be a good weekend for them.
Ireland, Somerset and Surrey
None of these teams managed a win in the first round of fixtures, so they will all be anxious to get off the mark. Opening bat for Somerset, South African Lizelle Lee, can take the game away from any team if she gets going, and the home team will be hoping she does. Somerset and England opening bowler Anya Shrubsole has also looked good with the bat recently, so she too will be a key player, playing at her home club.
Surrey have had a bit of a torrid time of late, both in the county championship and T20 competition, but they had to manage the first T20 week without leg-spinner Sarah Clarke and Kiwi Rachel Candy was injured in game one. If both are back they could get their T20 campaign back on track.
Ireland struggled to get runs on the board against Kent and Berks in their first round games. Div 1 is a step up for them and Somerset and Surrey will do them no favours this weekend. They need someone in their top five to bat through their innings to set up a decent score. They may struggle.
Division Two
At Fordhouses CC - Cheshire, Essex and Staffs
At Durham City CC - Durham, Derbyshire and the Netherlands
At Leamington CC - Lancashire, Wales and Warwickshire
Lancashire, Wales and Warwickshire
Lancs and Warwickshire made the perfect start to their T20 campaign with two wins out of two. Lancs overcame Essex (in a 10 over slog) and Derbyshire (with some ease). Warwickshire brushed aside the Netherlands and Staffs, bowling them out for 59 and 64 respectively. Warwickshire are probably the team to beat out of these three and Wales may find it hard to overcome a young and enthusiastic Lancashire team.
Cheshire, Essex and Staffs
Cheshire had a great opening weekend with two wins over Durham (4 runs) and Wales (48 runs). Essex and Staffs may be tougher this week. Essex beat Derbyshire to clock up their first win in any competition this season, but Staffs drew a blank with clattering defeats to both Warwickshire and the Netherlands. They will hope to bounce back this weekend and record their first T20 points of the season.
Durham, Derbyshire and the Netherlands
Promoted Derbyshire struggled in their first games in Div 2 four weeks ago and they may do so again this weekend. Durham beat Wales by four runs, but then lost by the same margin to Cheshire. They should be too strong for both Derbyshire and the Netherlands, who have one win under their belt over Staffs.
MD
3/VII/15
Division One
At Arundel Castle - Kent, Middlesex and Sussex
At Welbeck CC - Berkshire, Notts and Yorkshire
At Bath CC - Ireland, Somerset and Surrey
Kent, Middlesex and Sussex
It just so happens that the three teams that won both their fixtures on the opening day of the Nat West T20 competition all meet at the picturesque Arundel Castle ground this Sunday. Kent beat Berkshire and Ireland; Middlesex beat Notts and Somerset; and Sussex beat Surrey and Yorkshire. If one team could win both their games this weekend then they would being sitting pretty at the top of the league having played half their games.
Sussex have the most powerful and diverse bowling attack and they will rely on them to keep their opponents' scores in check. They will have their work cut out against Middlesex's opening pair of Sophia Dunkley and Tash Miles, and Kent's experienced top order of Edwards, Beaumont, Greenway and Marsh. Early wickets will be the key for Sussex.
It will be interesting to compare the left-arm spin of Sussex's former England star Holly Colvin and Middlesex's Alex Hartley, who is flirting with selection for the Ashes squad. Both are happy to give the ball some air and entice batsmen into false shots. Both could prove to be very effective again.
Kent have their own young spinner in Megan Belt, plus former Sussex player Laura Marsh, and Charlotte Edwards is once again twirling her arm over for her county.
The standard of cricket is going to be very high and one or two stand-out performances will win the individual games. Too close to call.
Berkshire, Notts and Yorkshire
Each of these teams picked up one win in the first week of the competition. Berkshire beat Ireland by eight wickets; Notts beat Somerset by seven wickets and Yorkshire beat Surrey by 10 wickets.
For Notts Danni Wyatt was in scintillating form with the bat. She scored 102 against Somerset and 89 (54b) in a losing cause against Middlesex. She is obviously a key wicket for Notts' opponents.
As are the Yorkshire opening pair of Lauren Winfield and Aussie Beth Mooney. Both looked in great touch as they clocked up an unbeaten opening partnership of 125 to waltz past Surrey's 122/7. In addition Yorkshire have the free-swinging Katherine Brunt and Alex Macdonald in their middle order. Berkshire have England VC Heather Knight at the top of their order, followed by the hard-hitting Lissy MacLeod. Get past those and you just have Australia's Alex Blackwell to contend with (playing her last game for Berkshire before joining her touring Aussie teammates).
Notts won the trophy last year and they have a good T20 pedigree, so I tip them to beat Berkshire, but I think they may find Yorkshire too strong for them. If Yorkshire can also overcome Berks it could be a good weekend for them.
Ireland, Somerset and Surrey
None of these teams managed a win in the first round of fixtures, so they will all be anxious to get off the mark. Opening bat for Somerset, South African Lizelle Lee, can take the game away from any team if she gets going, and the home team will be hoping she does. Somerset and England opening bowler Anya Shrubsole has also looked good with the bat recently, so she too will be a key player, playing at her home club.
Surrey have had a bit of a torrid time of late, both in the county championship and T20 competition, but they had to manage the first T20 week without leg-spinner Sarah Clarke and Kiwi Rachel Candy was injured in game one. If both are back they could get their T20 campaign back on track.
Ireland struggled to get runs on the board against Kent and Berks in their first round games. Div 1 is a step up for them and Somerset and Surrey will do them no favours this weekend. They need someone in their top five to bat through their innings to set up a decent score. They may struggle.
Division Two
At Fordhouses CC - Cheshire, Essex and Staffs
At Durham City CC - Durham, Derbyshire and the Netherlands
At Leamington CC - Lancashire, Wales and Warwickshire
Lancashire, Wales and Warwickshire
Lancs and Warwickshire made the perfect start to their T20 campaign with two wins out of two. Lancs overcame Essex (in a 10 over slog) and Derbyshire (with some ease). Warwickshire brushed aside the Netherlands and Staffs, bowling them out for 59 and 64 respectively. Warwickshire are probably the team to beat out of these three and Wales may find it hard to overcome a young and enthusiastic Lancashire team.
Cheshire, Essex and Staffs
Cheshire had a great opening weekend with two wins over Durham (4 runs) and Wales (48 runs). Essex and Staffs may be tougher this week. Essex beat Derbyshire to clock up their first win in any competition this season, but Staffs drew a blank with clattering defeats to both Warwickshire and the Netherlands. They will hope to bounce back this weekend and record their first T20 points of the season.
Durham, Derbyshire and the Netherlands
Promoted Derbyshire struggled in their first games in Div 2 four weeks ago and they may do so again this weekend. Durham beat Wales by four runs, but then lost by the same margin to Cheshire. They should be too strong for both Derbyshire and the Netherlands, who have one win under their belt over Staffs.
MD
3/VII/15
Monday, 22 June 2015
Kent go top as Yorkshire flay Middlesex
Kent have clambered their way back to the top of Division One of the Women's County Championship courtesy of an easy victory over Warwickshire, and league leaders Middlesex crashing to a nine wicket defeat at Yorkshire, which keeps Yorkshire right in contention too.
Surrey and Sussex have kept themselves in the hunt for top-spot with solid wins over Lancashire and Notts respectively. At the bottom things are looking bleak for Lancashire as they have now lost four from four.
But the England players on Ashes' duty will miss the next three games for their counties (19th July, 30th & 31st August), so things could all change before the season reaches it climax on 13th September (Kent having completed their fixtures on 31st August).
Div 1 Results and Reports
Game 17 - Lancashire v Surrey
Lancashire 78 all out (Nat Sciver 5/27, Sarah Clarke 4/11)
Surrey 79/4 (Susie Rowe 35*)
Surrey won by 6 wickets
Lancashire's disappointing first season in the top flight continued as they were skittled out for just 78 runs in less than 38 overs, losing their fourth game of the season, as Surrey romped home in less than 20 overs. Nat Sciver did the early damage claiming five of the top six wickets for just 27, and, who else, but Sarah Clarke (4/11) dispatched the last four Lancs' batsmen with her flighted leg breaks (she already has 14 wickets in Div 1 this year). Surrey made light work of getting the required runs, although they did lose four wickets in the process. Susie Rowe (35*) saw them home after Nat Sciver went for a bright 28, including five 4s.
Game 18 - Sussex v Notts
Notts 132 all out (Jenny Gunn 39, Danielle Wyatt 36, Holly Colvin 4/20, Erin Osborne 3/28)
Sussex 133/5 (Sarah Taylor 39)
Sussex won by 5 wickets
Sussex ran out very comfortable winners against Notts who quite simply could not put enough runs on the board to challenge the Sussex batting line up. Inserted Notts were soon two down as Sonia Odedra called her partner Georgie Boyce through for a suicidal run only to see her easily run out. Odedra herself then went edging Freya Davies to Georgia Elwiss at gully in the fifth over. Notts were 21/2. But Jenny Gunn (39) and Danielle Wyatt (36) made the most of some attacking fields set by Sarah Taylor, as Sussex strived to dislodge the two key Notts' batsmen. Eventually it was the spin combination of Holly Colvin (4/20) and Erin Osborne (3/28) that initially frustrated the pair and then took their wickets - Wyatt attempting to launch Colvin over mid-on and edging high to slip and Gunn eventually plopping one back to Colvin, having stood firm the ball before when it seemed she had edged the ball behind to Taylor. In the same over Aussie Zoe Richards departed for a duck and Notts were 103/6. Osborne returned as Colvin completed her spell and accounted for nine and ten, and then Freya Davies removed the jack's off stump to end the Notts innings.
In response Sussex lost Georgia Adams in the second over to Wyatt for a duck, but Georgia Elwiss (27) and Sarah Taylor (39) took the Sussex score past 50 in the 9th over and seemed to be cruising, before Elwiss was bowled by a full loopy off-break from Wyatt. Sussex's progress was stalled but not halted. Taylor continued to bat positively, despite losing Izzy Collis (10), with Paige Scholfield also hitting a breezey run-a-ball 25, but then Taylor fell to Gunn, caught at mid-off looking to go over the top. At 99/4 Notts might have felt they had a glimmer of a chance, but Osborne and Holly Colvin saw Sussex home easily in the 29th over.
Game 19 - Warwickshire v Kent
Kent 209/8 (Tammy Beaumont 67, Charlotte Edwards 37, Georgia Davies 3/23)
Warwickshire 125 all out (Megan Belt 3/20, Tash Farrant 3/23)
Kent won by 83 runs
Invited to bat Kent made their usual solid start through Tammy Beaumont (67) and Charlotte Edwards (37), the pair adding 90 for the first wicket, before Edwards was unfortunately run out at the non-striker's end as the bowler deflected a Beaumont drive onto the stumps. 30 runs later Kent's serene progress came to a juddering halt as they lost Lydia Greenway (5), Laura Marsh (0) and Beaumont in the space of five overs, leaving them on 133/4. Alice Davidson-Richards (27) and Kara Sutherland (23) decided to consolidate and they took the score to 184/6 before they were both out, together with keeper Lauren Griffith. Kent managed to push the total beyond the maximum bonus point 200 mark before they ran out of overs, setting Warwickshire 210 to win. As they stumbled to 41/5 Warwickshire never looked like being in contention. Only Georgia Hennessy (35) and Liz Smart (24) offered much resistance as Tash Farrant and Megan Belt picked up three wickets apiece as Warwickshire were bowled out for 125 in the 43rd over.
Game 20 - Yorkshire v Middlesex
Middlesex 174 all out (Fran Wilson 45, Katie Levick 3/??)
Yorkshire 175/1 (Lauren Winfield 99*, Beth Mooney 69)
Yorkshire won by 9 wickets
(no scorecard yet available)
Yorkshire restricted table-toppers Middlesex to just 174 as they bowled them out in the 42nd over of their innings. Fran Wilson top scored as Middlesex failed to set Yorkshire anything remotely resembling a challenging target.
Yorkshire openers Lauren Winfield (99*) and Aussie Beth Mooney (69) looked to be taking Yorkshire to a ten wicket win, before Mooney was caught on the boundary off Hartley with just six runs needed to win. Unfortunately there were not quite enough runs required for Winfield to complete a well-deserved century, but no doubt the Yorkshire skipper was happy enough with her own form and the thumping nine wicket win.
MD
22/VI/15
Surrey and Sussex have kept themselves in the hunt for top-spot with solid wins over Lancashire and Notts respectively. At the bottom things are looking bleak for Lancashire as they have now lost four from four.
But the England players on Ashes' duty will miss the next three games for their counties (19th July, 30th & 31st August), so things could all change before the season reaches it climax on 13th September (Kent having completed their fixtures on 31st August).
Div 1 Results and Reports
Game 17 - Lancashire v Surrey
Lancashire 78 all out (Nat Sciver 5/27, Sarah Clarke 4/11)
Surrey 79/4 (Susie Rowe 35*)
Surrey won by 6 wickets
Lancashire's disappointing first season in the top flight continued as they were skittled out for just 78 runs in less than 38 overs, losing their fourth game of the season, as Surrey romped home in less than 20 overs. Nat Sciver did the early damage claiming five of the top six wickets for just 27, and, who else, but Sarah Clarke (4/11) dispatched the last four Lancs' batsmen with her flighted leg breaks (she already has 14 wickets in Div 1 this year). Surrey made light work of getting the required runs, although they did lose four wickets in the process. Susie Rowe (35*) saw them home after Nat Sciver went for a bright 28, including five 4s.
Game 18 - Sussex v Notts
Notts 132 all out (Jenny Gunn 39, Danielle Wyatt 36, Holly Colvin 4/20, Erin Osborne 3/28)
Sussex 133/5 (Sarah Taylor 39)
Sussex won by 5 wickets
Sussex ran out very comfortable winners against Notts who quite simply could not put enough runs on the board to challenge the Sussex batting line up. Inserted Notts were soon two down as Sonia Odedra called her partner Georgie Boyce through for a suicidal run only to see her easily run out. Odedra herself then went edging Freya Davies to Georgia Elwiss at gully in the fifth over. Notts were 21/2. But Jenny Gunn (39) and Danielle Wyatt (36) made the most of some attacking fields set by Sarah Taylor, as Sussex strived to dislodge the two key Notts' batsmen. Eventually it was the spin combination of Holly Colvin (4/20) and Erin Osborne (3/28) that initially frustrated the pair and then took their wickets - Wyatt attempting to launch Colvin over mid-on and edging high to slip and Gunn eventually plopping one back to Colvin, having stood firm the ball before when it seemed she had edged the ball behind to Taylor. In the same over Aussie Zoe Richards departed for a duck and Notts were 103/6. Osborne returned as Colvin completed her spell and accounted for nine and ten, and then Freya Davies removed the jack's off stump to end the Notts innings.
In response Sussex lost Georgia Adams in the second over to Wyatt for a duck, but Georgia Elwiss (27) and Sarah Taylor (39) took the Sussex score past 50 in the 9th over and seemed to be cruising, before Elwiss was bowled by a full loopy off-break from Wyatt. Sussex's progress was stalled but not halted. Taylor continued to bat positively, despite losing Izzy Collis (10), with Paige Scholfield also hitting a breezey run-a-ball 25, but then Taylor fell to Gunn, caught at mid-off looking to go over the top. At 99/4 Notts might have felt they had a glimmer of a chance, but Osborne and Holly Colvin saw Sussex home easily in the 29th over.
Game 19 - Warwickshire v Kent
Kent 209/8 (Tammy Beaumont 67, Charlotte Edwards 37, Georgia Davies 3/23)
Warwickshire 125 all out (Megan Belt 3/20, Tash Farrant 3/23)
Kent won by 83 runs
Invited to bat Kent made their usual solid start through Tammy Beaumont (67) and Charlotte Edwards (37), the pair adding 90 for the first wicket, before Edwards was unfortunately run out at the non-striker's end as the bowler deflected a Beaumont drive onto the stumps. 30 runs later Kent's serene progress came to a juddering halt as they lost Lydia Greenway (5), Laura Marsh (0) and Beaumont in the space of five overs, leaving them on 133/4. Alice Davidson-Richards (27) and Kara Sutherland (23) decided to consolidate and they took the score to 184/6 before they were both out, together with keeper Lauren Griffith. Kent managed to push the total beyond the maximum bonus point 200 mark before they ran out of overs, setting Warwickshire 210 to win. As they stumbled to 41/5 Warwickshire never looked like being in contention. Only Georgia Hennessy (35) and Liz Smart (24) offered much resistance as Tash Farrant and Megan Belt picked up three wickets apiece as Warwickshire were bowled out for 125 in the 43rd over.
Game 20 - Yorkshire v Middlesex
Middlesex 174 all out (Fran Wilson 45, Katie Levick 3/??)
Yorkshire 175/1 (Lauren Winfield 99*, Beth Mooney 69)
Yorkshire won by 9 wickets
(no scorecard yet available)
Yorkshire restricted table-toppers Middlesex to just 174 as they bowled them out in the 42nd over of their innings. Fran Wilson top scored as Middlesex failed to set Yorkshire anything remotely resembling a challenging target.
Yorkshire openers Lauren Winfield (99*) and Aussie Beth Mooney (69) looked to be taking Yorkshire to a ten wicket win, before Mooney was caught on the boundary off Hartley with just six runs needed to win. Unfortunately there were not quite enough runs required for Winfield to complete a well-deserved century, but no doubt the Yorkshire skipper was happy enough with her own form and the thumping nine wicket win.
MD
22/VI/15
Friday, 19 June 2015
County Champs reaches half-way stage
Attention turns again to The Women's County Championship as it reaches it's half-way stage this Sunday with the fifth round of fixtures being played. We look at all the fixtures in Divs 1 & 2 and try to pick some winners.
Division One
Lancashire v Surrey at Urmston CC
Sussex v Notts at Billingshurst CC
Warwickshire v Kent at Egbaston Foundation Ground
Yorkshire v Middlesex at Harrogate CC
In Div 1 unbeaten Middlesex make the long journey to Harrogate to take on Yorkshire. Lauren Winfield and Katherine Brunt should be in the Yorkshire line-up, but it will be interesting to see if Dani Hazell makes it on to the field. She was absent from Yorkshire's recent T20 games in Surrey, where they beat Surrey, but lost to Sussex. Yorkshire will also have played Notts in a T20 match at Headingley tonight (Friday), before the same men's T20 Blast fixture. Middlesex will be buoyant after winning their first two County Championship games (against Surrey and Lancs) and their first two T20 games (against Notts and Somerset), but Yorkshire may prove tougher opposition particularly on home turf.
Sussex host the mercurial Notts at Billingshurst, which could prove to be the game of the weekend. Danni Wyatt is in sparkling form with the bat in T20 cricket, but can she convert that to the longer format? Sussex will hope not. They should be at full strength, and after a shakey start to the season they seem to have got their ducks in a row and look a formidable side in all formats.
Kent will be hoping to take full points from their encounter with Warwickshire to keep themselves in the title battle, before losing their England contingent for the remainder of the Championship season. But Warwickshire beat Surrey in their last County Championship game and if they can put some runs on the board then they could give Kent a good run for their money. They are a young team under the leadership of 24 year old England left-arm spinner Rebecca Grundy. Could she get one over on her illustrious England skipper?
Finally in Div 1 Lancs host Surrey for whom not much has gone right since they beat Sussex and Berkshire on the opening weekend of the season. They have subsequently lost in the County Championship to Middlesex and Warwickshire and they lost both their opening T20 games on Sunday to Yorkshire (by 10 wickets) and Sussex (by 8 wickets). They will be looking to bounce back against Lancs who have yet to pick up a win in the top flight of the County Championship. If Rachel Candy and Sarah Clarke are back in for the fixture then Lancs might still be winless come Monday.
Division Two
Devon v Ireland at Tiverton Heathcoat
Durham v Worcestershire at Durham City CC
Essex v Somerset at Felsted School
Wales v Staffordshire at Ynystawe CC
Staffordshire sit at the top of Div 2 with three wins out of three, but suffered a torrid time at last weekend's Div 2 T20 matches, losing to the Netherlands and Warwickshire. Mind you Wales, their opponents on Sunday didn't fare much better, losing to Cheshire and Durham in the same division. Staffs look likely to make it four from four.
Somerset are also unbeaten so far this season and Essex are the team that have to find an answer to South African opener Lizelle Lee, who is getting great support at the top of the order from Gwenan Davies, Sophie Luff and Anya Shrubsole. Over 300 could be on the cards again if Somerset get to bat first.
Devon need to beat Ireland to keep their title challenge on track. Ireland have struggled for runs after scoring over 300 in their first game of the season, and so are won two lost two so far this season. Jodie Dibble has been scoring plenty of runs at the top of the order for Devon and they look like they might be too strong for Ireland, but this could be the game of the weekend in Div 2.
Finally Worcestershire have made a great start to the season with wins over Scotland and Wales in the Championship. Durham pasted Scotland in their last Championship game and had a decent opening to their Div 2 T20 campaign last week, beating Wales and narrowly losing out to T20 surprises Cheshire. This could go either way.
MD
19/VI/15
Division One
Lancashire v Surrey at Urmston CC
Sussex v Notts at Billingshurst CC
Warwickshire v Kent at Egbaston Foundation Ground
Yorkshire v Middlesex at Harrogate CC
In Div 1 unbeaten Middlesex make the long journey to Harrogate to take on Yorkshire. Lauren Winfield and Katherine Brunt should be in the Yorkshire line-up, but it will be interesting to see if Dani Hazell makes it on to the field. She was absent from Yorkshire's recent T20 games in Surrey, where they beat Surrey, but lost to Sussex. Yorkshire will also have played Notts in a T20 match at Headingley tonight (Friday), before the same men's T20 Blast fixture. Middlesex will be buoyant after winning their first two County Championship games (against Surrey and Lancs) and their first two T20 games (against Notts and Somerset), but Yorkshire may prove tougher opposition particularly on home turf.
Sussex host the mercurial Notts at Billingshurst, which could prove to be the game of the weekend. Danni Wyatt is in sparkling form with the bat in T20 cricket, but can she convert that to the longer format? Sussex will hope not. They should be at full strength, and after a shakey start to the season they seem to have got their ducks in a row and look a formidable side in all formats.
Kent will be hoping to take full points from their encounter with Warwickshire to keep themselves in the title battle, before losing their England contingent for the remainder of the Championship season. But Warwickshire beat Surrey in their last County Championship game and if they can put some runs on the board then they could give Kent a good run for their money. They are a young team under the leadership of 24 year old England left-arm spinner Rebecca Grundy. Could she get one over on her illustrious England skipper?
Finally in Div 1 Lancs host Surrey for whom not much has gone right since they beat Sussex and Berkshire on the opening weekend of the season. They have subsequently lost in the County Championship to Middlesex and Warwickshire and they lost both their opening T20 games on Sunday to Yorkshire (by 10 wickets) and Sussex (by 8 wickets). They will be looking to bounce back against Lancs who have yet to pick up a win in the top flight of the County Championship. If Rachel Candy and Sarah Clarke are back in for the fixture then Lancs might still be winless come Monday.
Division Two
Devon v Ireland at Tiverton Heathcoat
Durham v Worcestershire at Durham City CC
Essex v Somerset at Felsted School
Wales v Staffordshire at Ynystawe CC
Somerset are also unbeaten so far this season and Essex are the team that have to find an answer to South African opener Lizelle Lee, who is getting great support at the top of the order from Gwenan Davies, Sophie Luff and Anya Shrubsole. Over 300 could be on the cards again if Somerset get to bat first.
Devon need to beat Ireland to keep their title challenge on track. Ireland have struggled for runs after scoring over 300 in their first game of the season, and so are won two lost two so far this season. Jodie Dibble has been scoring plenty of runs at the top of the order for Devon and they look like they might be too strong for Ireland, but this could be the game of the weekend in Div 2.
Finally Worcestershire have made a great start to the season with wins over Scotland and Wales in the Championship. Durham pasted Scotland in their last Championship game and had a decent opening to their Div 2 T20 campaign last week, beating Wales and narrowly losing out to T20 surprises Cheshire. This could go either way.
MD
19/VI/15
Tuesday, 26 May 2015
Week 2 - Middlesex and Somerset set the pace in Divs 1 & 2
It was another action-packed weekend of women's cricket in Divisions 1 and 2 of the Women's County Championship, with some great performances and some amazing results.
In Division 1 Surrey and Notts went into the weekend having won two from two, only for both of them to lose both their games this weekend and throw the County Championship wide open again. It was Middlesex that stepped through the wide-open door, with a nail-biting four run win over Surrey and a comfortable eight wicket win over struggling Lancs. They now sit top of the league with those two wins and the Championship seems to be theirs to lose now. True they still have Kent and Sussex to play, but Kent are likely to be without Charlotte Edwards, Lydia Greenway and Laura Marsh, at least, for that encounter at the end of August, and Sussex could well be missing five front-line players when they meet Middlesex in mid-July. The fixtures have fallen beautifully for Middlesex and it is a question of whether they can hold their nerve. Kent remain unbeaten after comfortable wins over Lancs and Notts, but their strength in depth will be tested in their last four fixtures against Warwickshire, Surrey, Middlesex and Berkshire, who will also be missing their England players of course.
In Division 2 Somerset have shown their title credentials after an emphatic 117 run win over fellow-contenders Devon in their only game of the weekend. True Devon's bowling attack was somewhat depleted after injuries the previous day, but South Africa's Lizelle Lee is loving life in Division 2, smashing runs to all parts of the ground for her maiden century for Somerset. It won't be her last this year. Staffs share top-spot after easy wins over Durham and Ireland. They have tougher games to come. It was also a great weekend for Worcestershire who won both their games against Scotland and a cliff-hanger against Wales. They have proved to be the surprise-package of Div 2 this year and they must be looking forward to their next fixture against Durham in four week's time.
(Div 2 matches will be reviewed and uploaded this afternoon)
Div 1 Review
Game 9 - Berks v Notts
Berks - 182/8 (Alex Blackwell 38, Danni Wyatt 2/18)
Notts - 145 all out (47.1 overs) (Jenny Gunn 52*, Fi Morris 3/28)
Berks won by 37 runs
Berkshire were probably disappointed to only post 182, but it proved to be more than enough as Notts crumbled to 145 all out with only Jenny Gunn (52) and Georgie Boyce (35) putting up any real resistance. Notts made a terrible start to their reply losing Richards, Wyatt and Odedra with only five runs on the board. They also lost Wyatt to hospital as she was run out after slipping and dislocating her shoulder. Gunn did her best to keep Notts in the game, but ran out of partners in the 47th over.
Game 10 - Kent v Lancs
Lancs 180/8 (Kate Cross 68, Kara Sutherland 3/17)
Kent 142/2 (33 overs) (Charlotte Edwards 51, Tammy Beaumont 47)
Kent won by 8 wickets on a faster run rate when game ended by rain after 33 oversLancs did well to recover from 76/5 to post a respectable 180/8 thanks to the bat of Kate Cross and some stickability from the lower middle-order. But Charlotte Edwards (51) and Tammy Beaumont (47) broke the back of the run chase with an 84 run opening partnership despite Kate Cross's bowling, and Greenway and Marsh were leading Kent to an easy victory when the rain brought a premature halt.
Game 11 - Surrey v Middx
Middx 170 all out (Tash Miles 50, Rachel Candy 4/21, Sarah Clarke 3/50)
Surrey 166 all out (41.3 overs) (Libby Walters 30, Danni Warren 5/34)
Middlesex won by 4 runs
Beth Morgan's 100th game for Middlesex was an absoulte cracker. Kiwi Rachel Candy continued her good form for Surrey picking up four wickets as Middlesex threw away a good start (they were 104/2 at one stage) set up by Tash Miles (50), Catherine Dalton (39), and Fran Wilson (30) to finish on a below-par 170. Surrey just needed one of the top five to stick around and they would have got home, but they all fell for 30 or less and it was too much for the lower order who subsided to the wily old medium pace of Danni Warren with more than eight overs still left to play and only four runs needed.
Game 12 - Sussex v Warks
Warks 148/9 (Rebecca Grundy 32, Minahil Zahoor 30)
Sussex 149/3 (Sarah Taylor 74)
Sussex won by 7 wickets
A rather disjointed Sussex strolled to victory over a dysfunctional Warwickshire, who having won the toss bravely elected to bat against one of the strongest bowling attacks in the country. Their opening pair of Rebecca Grundy (32) and Minahil Zahoor (40) managed to add 70 for the first wicket, but they took 21 overs to do so. Amy Jones (1) came in at three but when she was nonchalantly caught one-handed over her head by Izi Noakes at mid-off trying to hit Holly Colvin over the top, the writing was on the wall for Warks. Their young batting line-up gradually capitulated with only Georgia Hennessy (27) putting up any great resistance, as Warks were helped to their total by three dropped catches, some shoddy Sussex fielding, plus a rather blinkered attitude to the bowlers used. The wickets were shared around and Aussie import Erin Osborne claimed her first wicket for the county.
In reply Sussex made a swift start as Adams (20) hit three 4s off the second over, but Georgia Elwiss (10) went in the 6th over and Adams was well caught at slip shortly after to leave Sussex on 40/2. But Sarah Taylor (74) and Izzy Collis (32*) dispatched the far too frequent bad balls adding 93 for the third wicket before Taylor lofted a catch to mid-off, but it was too little too late for Warks.
Game 13 - Berks v Yorks
Berks 104 all out (Alex Rogers 24, Dani Hazell 6/28)
Yorks 105/1 (Lauren Winfield 42*, Katherine Brunt 41*)
Yorkshire won by 9 wicketsBerkshire's batting crumbled to dust before the spin bowling of Dani Hazell (6/28) and Katie Levick (2/40) as they stumbled their way to just over 100 runs. It was never going to be enough and Katherine Brunt, batting at three smashed a quickfire 41* to end the game in just the 15th over of the Yorkshire reply.
Game 14 - Kent v Notts
Kent 214/7 (Laura Marsh 58, Lydia Greenway 57, Sonia Odedra 2/33)
Notts 87 all out (26.5 overs) (Zoe Richards 34, Laura Marsh 5/15, Megan Belt 4/34)
Notts started strongly against the current County Champions removing both Tammy Beaumont (14) and Charlotte Edwards (17) to leave Kent on 40/2, but Laura Marsh (58) and Lydia Greenway (57) added 122 for the third wicket to set up a total well beyond the reach of Notts, minus Dani Wyatt due to her injury from the previous day. From 56/1 Notts disintegrated as a procession of batsmen came and went, with the next nine wickets adding only another 31 runs to the total, as off-spinners Laura Marsh (5/15) and Megan Belt (4/34) wrapped up an easy victory for Kent.
Game 15 - Middx v Lancs
Lancs 101 all out (Natalie Brown 28, Izzy Westbury 3/15, Sophia Dunkley 3/28)
Middx 102/2 (Sophia Dunkley 36*)
Middlesex won by 8 wickets
Middlesex kept their 100% record with a convincing win over Lancs who are really struggling to find their feet in Div 1. Invited to bat Lancs could only muster 101 as they were tied in knots by the Middlesex spinners - Westbury, Dunkley and Hartley. Once Middlesex's Dunkley and Tash Miles had added 63 for the first wicket the result was never in doubt. It was only when skipper Titmuss brought Kate Cross on at fourth change that Lancs got a breakthrough as she picked up both openers. But Middx did not panic and they got home in the 28th over.
Game 16 - Surrey v Warks
Warks 176/9 (Georgia Hennessy 66, Sarah Clarke 3/32)
Surrey 171 all out (49.4 overs) (Sarah Clarke 34*, Katie Green 4/24)
Warwickshire won by 5 runs
Warwickshire pulled off a remarkable victory against title-contenders Surrey thanks to a battling 66 off 110 balls by Georgia Hennessy, and the complete failure of Surrey's top order to score any runs. Hennessy entered the fray with Warks in trouble at 16/2 with both opening bats back in the hutch. When she left Warks had taken their score to 132/6. The lower order eked out another useful 44 runs, five of which would ultimately prove to be the difference between the teams. Surrey's top order got bogged down and then got out to Rebecca Grundy after opening bowler Katie Green had taken two wickets in two balls, including Nat Sciver for her second golden duck of the season. For a while it looked as though 7,8 and 9 - Candy (25), Scutt (23) and Clarke (34*) - might pull off the victory for Surrey, but Anisha Patel accounted for Candy and Scutt and then Green returned to finish off what she had started and to finish with the fine figures of 4/24. Surrey ended up just 5 runs short to round off a thoroughly miserable weekend for them.
Div 2 Review
Game 9 - Devon v Wales
Devon 217 all out (Jodie Dibble 118, Claire Thomas 3/37)
Wales 136 all out (32 overs) (Lauren Parfitt 46)
Devon won by 4 runs when Wales set revised target of 140 to win in 32 overs due to rain interruption
Devon had skipper Jodie Dibble's 118 to thank for their par total of 217 all out. Only three other Devon batsmen made double figures and the highest of those was Cait O'Keefe's 24. Wales used eight bowlers as they tried to winkle Dibble out, but she completed her maiden senior century before falling with the score on 195/7. Between innings rain delayed Wales' response and when they came back out they needed to score 140 from 32 overs. Devon made early inroads, but opener Lauren Parfitt (46) kept Wales' hopes alive. Even when she fell with the score on 100 Wales only needed 40 off 8 overs. Gradually the equation reduced to 17 off 5 with three wickets still in hand, then 11 off three and eight off two. Cartwright was the eighth wicket to fall and with five needed off the last over both Scarborough and Parfitt were run out by Rebecca Silk to clinch the win for Devon.
Game 10 - Durham v Staffs
Staffs 244/1 (Evelyn Jones 115*, Molly Strano 80*)
Durham 150/9 (Rebecca Newark 36*, Stephanie Butler 2/16)
Staffs won by 94 runs
Evelyn Jones (115*) batted throughout the entire Staff's innings for her maiden century for Staffs. She was joined in the controlled run-fest by Aussie Molly Strano who hit 80*. Durham were never in the game after they lost early wickets and only reached 150 thanks to the late order efforts of number 8 Rebecca Newark (36*).
Game 11 - Essex v Ireland
Ireland 139 all out (Kim Garth 49*, Hannah Jeffrey 5/19)
Essex 123 all out (47.1 overs) (Cordelia Griffith 31, Amy Kenealy 3/17, Kim Garth 3/20)
Ireland won by 16 runs
The only significant partnership in the Irish innings was the ninth between Kim Garth (49*) and Amy Kennealy (7 off 33 balls). They took the Ireland score from 63/8 to 112/9 before Kenealy succumbed. A last wicket partnership of 27 between Garth and Jennifer Gray took the final Ireland score to 139. It proved to be too much for Essex who are struggling desperately in Div 2 having been relegated from Div 1 last year.Only opener Cordelia Griffith (31) and keeper Emily Smith (23) scored above 11 as Garth and Kenealy took on the role of tormentors with the ball too. Essex eventually ended 16 runs short when they were bowled out for 123.
Game 12 - Worcs v Scotland
Worcs 211/9 (Joanna Cull 49*, Thea Brookes 43, Abbi Aitken 5/34)
Scotland 179/9 (Olivia Rae 36, Kate McGill 32*, Abigail Houghton 3/32)
Worcestershire won by 32 runs
Worcestershire's middle-order batting all contributed with Joanna Cull (49*) and Thea Brookes (43) the pick of the them. Together they got Worcs to the respectable total of 211/9. Regular early wickets in the Scotland reply, including three in a row to Abi Houghton (3/32), put Scotland on the back foot and they never recovered to challenge the Worcs total despite 36 from Olivia Rae and late runs from Katie McGill (32).
Game 13 - Durham v Scotland
Durham 166/7 (Catherine Chapman 39, Becky Glen 37)
Scotland 50 all out (Elizabeth Priddle 32*, Helen Fenby 4/11. Rachael Petherick 3/24)
Durham won by 105 runs
Durham set Scotland 167 to win, based around a decent third wicket stand between Catherine Chapman (39) and Becky Glen (37). It was a target that Scotland probably felt happy chasing, until that is, they went into bat. Elizabeth Priddle (32*) was the only Wildcat to get into double figures as her partners found ways t get out at the other end. Coming in at four she remained unbeaten as Helen Fenby took four wicket in just 28 balls (4/11) to skittle Scotland out for just 50.
Game 14 - Somerset v Devon
Somerset 312/2 (Lizelle Lee 111, Sophie Luff 109*)
Devon 195 all out (50 overs) (Jodie Dibble 54, Cait O'Keefe 48)
Somerset won by 117 runs
South African opener Lizelle Lee (111) and England Academy's Sophie Luff (109*) took full advantage of a depleted Devon bowling attack (due to injury the day before) and the beautiful Taunton wicket to add 153 for the second Somerset wicket. Luff, scoring her maiden senior century, then added another 139 with Anya Shrubsole (63*) as Somerset piled up 312/2. Devon got to 96/1 in reply, but then lost wickets in clusters as the game slipped away from them.
Game 15 - Staffs v Ireland
Ireland 133 all out (Shauna Kavanagh 36, Laura Delany 34)
Staffs 137/4 (Francesca James 52)
Staffs won by 6 wickets
Once again Ireland's batting looked fragile as they struggled to 133 all out in 44.1 overs with all five of the Staff's bowlers used claiming a brace of wickets for not many runs. Only three Irish players made it into double figures with opener Shauna Kavanagh (36) and number 6 Laura Delany (34) the only major contributors. Staffs had little trouble knocking off the runs they needed, with Francesca James, coming in at four, after some rather pedestrian progress, smashing 52 off just 26 balls including five 6s. She left the carnage with just 11 needed to win, which Staffs achieved in the 32nd over.
Game 16 - Worcs v Wales
Worcs 176/8 (Clare Boycott 53, Lauren Rowles 44)
Wales 174 all out (50 overs) (Megan Burton 35)
Worcestershire won by 2 runs
Having used eight bowlers the previous day Wales went one better in this match with only the keeper and one other not getting a bowl. Ffion Wynne came out the top bowler with 2/16. Worcs' middle-order did most of the run-scoring with Clare Boycott (53) and Lauren Rowles (44) chief scorers. After losing the in-form Lauren Parfitt early Wales looked to be in trouble as they tried to chase down 177 to win, but Megan Burton (35) got them to 130/5, before a flurry of wickets left them floundering again on 137/8 with overs running out. Rose Evans (21) added 14 for the ninth wicket with Cartwright before she became Sian Ruck's second victim. Evans and number 11 Marsha Davies then took the game to the last over, but still needed 15 to win. They got 13 but Evans was out off the last ball to give Worcs the win by just 2 runs.
MD
26/V/15
In Division 1 Surrey and Notts went into the weekend having won two from two, only for both of them to lose both their games this weekend and throw the County Championship wide open again. It was Middlesex that stepped through the wide-open door, with a nail-biting four run win over Surrey and a comfortable eight wicket win over struggling Lancs. They now sit top of the league with those two wins and the Championship seems to be theirs to lose now. True they still have Kent and Sussex to play, but Kent are likely to be without Charlotte Edwards, Lydia Greenway and Laura Marsh, at least, for that encounter at the end of August, and Sussex could well be missing five front-line players when they meet Middlesex in mid-July. The fixtures have fallen beautifully for Middlesex and it is a question of whether they can hold their nerve. Kent remain unbeaten after comfortable wins over Lancs and Notts, but their strength in depth will be tested in their last four fixtures against Warwickshire, Surrey, Middlesex and Berkshire, who will also be missing their England players of course.
In Division 2 Somerset have shown their title credentials after an emphatic 117 run win over fellow-contenders Devon in their only game of the weekend. True Devon's bowling attack was somewhat depleted after injuries the previous day, but South Africa's Lizelle Lee is loving life in Division 2, smashing runs to all parts of the ground for her maiden century for Somerset. It won't be her last this year. Staffs share top-spot after easy wins over Durham and Ireland. They have tougher games to come. It was also a great weekend for Worcestershire who won both their games against Scotland and a cliff-hanger against Wales. They have proved to be the surprise-package of Div 2 this year and they must be looking forward to their next fixture against Durham in four week's time.
(Div 2 matches will be reviewed and uploaded this afternoon)
Div 1 Review
Game 9 - Berks v Notts
Berks - 182/8 (Alex Blackwell 38, Danni Wyatt 2/18)
Notts - 145 all out (47.1 overs) (Jenny Gunn 52*, Fi Morris 3/28)
Berks won by 37 runs
Berkshire were probably disappointed to only post 182, but it proved to be more than enough as Notts crumbled to 145 all out with only Jenny Gunn (52) and Georgie Boyce (35) putting up any real resistance. Notts made a terrible start to their reply losing Richards, Wyatt and Odedra with only five runs on the board. They also lost Wyatt to hospital as she was run out after slipping and dislocating her shoulder. Gunn did her best to keep Notts in the game, but ran out of partners in the 47th over.
Game 10 - Kent v Lancs
Lancs 180/8 (Kate Cross 68, Kara Sutherland 3/17)
Kent 142/2 (33 overs) (Charlotte Edwards 51, Tammy Beaumont 47)
Kent won by 8 wickets on a faster run rate when game ended by rain after 33 oversLancs did well to recover from 76/5 to post a respectable 180/8 thanks to the bat of Kate Cross and some stickability from the lower middle-order. But Charlotte Edwards (51) and Tammy Beaumont (47) broke the back of the run chase with an 84 run opening partnership despite Kate Cross's bowling, and Greenway and Marsh were leading Kent to an easy victory when the rain brought a premature halt.
Game 11 - Surrey v Middx
Middx 170 all out (Tash Miles 50, Rachel Candy 4/21, Sarah Clarke 3/50)
Surrey 166 all out (41.3 overs) (Libby Walters 30, Danni Warren 5/34)
Middlesex won by 4 runs
Beth Morgan's 100th game for Middlesex was an absoulte cracker. Kiwi Rachel Candy continued her good form for Surrey picking up four wickets as Middlesex threw away a good start (they were 104/2 at one stage) set up by Tash Miles (50), Catherine Dalton (39), and Fran Wilson (30) to finish on a below-par 170. Surrey just needed one of the top five to stick around and they would have got home, but they all fell for 30 or less and it was too much for the lower order who subsided to the wily old medium pace of Danni Warren with more than eight overs still left to play and only four runs needed.
Game 12 - Sussex v Warks
Warks 148/9 (Rebecca Grundy 32, Minahil Zahoor 30)
Sussex 149/3 (Sarah Taylor 74)
Sussex won by 7 wickets
A rather disjointed Sussex strolled to victory over a dysfunctional Warwickshire, who having won the toss bravely elected to bat against one of the strongest bowling attacks in the country. Their opening pair of Rebecca Grundy (32) and Minahil Zahoor (40) managed to add 70 for the first wicket, but they took 21 overs to do so. Amy Jones (1) came in at three but when she was nonchalantly caught one-handed over her head by Izi Noakes at mid-off trying to hit Holly Colvin over the top, the writing was on the wall for Warks. Their young batting line-up gradually capitulated with only Georgia Hennessy (27) putting up any great resistance, as Warks were helped to their total by three dropped catches, some shoddy Sussex fielding, plus a rather blinkered attitude to the bowlers used. The wickets were shared around and Aussie import Erin Osborne claimed her first wicket for the county.
In reply Sussex made a swift start as Adams (20) hit three 4s off the second over, but Georgia Elwiss (10) went in the 6th over and Adams was well caught at slip shortly after to leave Sussex on 40/2. But Sarah Taylor (74) and Izzy Collis (32*) dispatched the far too frequent bad balls adding 93 for the third wicket before Taylor lofted a catch to mid-off, but it was too little too late for Warks.
Game 13 - Berks v Yorks
Berks 104 all out (Alex Rogers 24, Dani Hazell 6/28)
Yorks 105/1 (Lauren Winfield 42*, Katherine Brunt 41*)
Yorkshire won by 9 wicketsBerkshire's batting crumbled to dust before the spin bowling of Dani Hazell (6/28) and Katie Levick (2/40) as they stumbled their way to just over 100 runs. It was never going to be enough and Katherine Brunt, batting at three smashed a quickfire 41* to end the game in just the 15th over of the Yorkshire reply.
Game 14 - Kent v Notts
Kent 214/7 (Laura Marsh 58, Lydia Greenway 57, Sonia Odedra 2/33)
Notts 87 all out (26.5 overs) (Zoe Richards 34, Laura Marsh 5/15, Megan Belt 4/34)
Notts started strongly against the current County Champions removing both Tammy Beaumont (14) and Charlotte Edwards (17) to leave Kent on 40/2, but Laura Marsh (58) and Lydia Greenway (57) added 122 for the third wicket to set up a total well beyond the reach of Notts, minus Dani Wyatt due to her injury from the previous day. From 56/1 Notts disintegrated as a procession of batsmen came and went, with the next nine wickets adding only another 31 runs to the total, as off-spinners Laura Marsh (5/15) and Megan Belt (4/34) wrapped up an easy victory for Kent.
Game 15 - Middx v Lancs
Lancs 101 all out (Natalie Brown 28, Izzy Westbury 3/15, Sophia Dunkley 3/28)
Middx 102/2 (Sophia Dunkley 36*)
Middlesex won by 8 wickets
Middlesex kept their 100% record with a convincing win over Lancs who are really struggling to find their feet in Div 1. Invited to bat Lancs could only muster 101 as they were tied in knots by the Middlesex spinners - Westbury, Dunkley and Hartley. Once Middlesex's Dunkley and Tash Miles had added 63 for the first wicket the result was never in doubt. It was only when skipper Titmuss brought Kate Cross on at fourth change that Lancs got a breakthrough as she picked up both openers. But Middx did not panic and they got home in the 28th over.
Game 16 - Surrey v Warks
Warks 176/9 (Georgia Hennessy 66, Sarah Clarke 3/32)
Surrey 171 all out (49.4 overs) (Sarah Clarke 34*, Katie Green 4/24)
Warwickshire won by 5 runs
Warwickshire pulled off a remarkable victory against title-contenders Surrey thanks to a battling 66 off 110 balls by Georgia Hennessy, and the complete failure of Surrey's top order to score any runs. Hennessy entered the fray with Warks in trouble at 16/2 with both opening bats back in the hutch. When she left Warks had taken their score to 132/6. The lower order eked out another useful 44 runs, five of which would ultimately prove to be the difference between the teams. Surrey's top order got bogged down and then got out to Rebecca Grundy after opening bowler Katie Green had taken two wickets in two balls, including Nat Sciver for her second golden duck of the season. For a while it looked as though 7,8 and 9 - Candy (25), Scutt (23) and Clarke (34*) - might pull off the victory for Surrey, but Anisha Patel accounted for Candy and Scutt and then Green returned to finish off what she had started and to finish with the fine figures of 4/24. Surrey ended up just 5 runs short to round off a thoroughly miserable weekend for them.
Div 2 Review
Game 9 - Devon v Wales
Devon 217 all out (Jodie Dibble 118, Claire Thomas 3/37)
Wales 136 all out (32 overs) (Lauren Parfitt 46)
Devon won by 4 runs when Wales set revised target of 140 to win in 32 overs due to rain interruption
Devon had skipper Jodie Dibble's 118 to thank for their par total of 217 all out. Only three other Devon batsmen made double figures and the highest of those was Cait O'Keefe's 24. Wales used eight bowlers as they tried to winkle Dibble out, but she completed her maiden senior century before falling with the score on 195/7. Between innings rain delayed Wales' response and when they came back out they needed to score 140 from 32 overs. Devon made early inroads, but opener Lauren Parfitt (46) kept Wales' hopes alive. Even when she fell with the score on 100 Wales only needed 40 off 8 overs. Gradually the equation reduced to 17 off 5 with three wickets still in hand, then 11 off three and eight off two. Cartwright was the eighth wicket to fall and with five needed off the last over both Scarborough and Parfitt were run out by Rebecca Silk to clinch the win for Devon.
Game 10 - Durham v Staffs
Staffs 244/1 (Evelyn Jones 115*, Molly Strano 80*)
Durham 150/9 (Rebecca Newark 36*, Stephanie Butler 2/16)
Staffs won by 94 runs
Evelyn Jones (115*) batted throughout the entire Staff's innings for her maiden century for Staffs. She was joined in the controlled run-fest by Aussie Molly Strano who hit 80*. Durham were never in the game after they lost early wickets and only reached 150 thanks to the late order efforts of number 8 Rebecca Newark (36*).
Game 11 - Essex v Ireland
Ireland 139 all out (Kim Garth 49*, Hannah Jeffrey 5/19)
Essex 123 all out (47.1 overs) (Cordelia Griffith 31, Amy Kenealy 3/17, Kim Garth 3/20)
Ireland won by 16 runs
The only significant partnership in the Irish innings was the ninth between Kim Garth (49*) and Amy Kennealy (7 off 33 balls). They took the Ireland score from 63/8 to 112/9 before Kenealy succumbed. A last wicket partnership of 27 between Garth and Jennifer Gray took the final Ireland score to 139. It proved to be too much for Essex who are struggling desperately in Div 2 having been relegated from Div 1 last year.Only opener Cordelia Griffith (31) and keeper Emily Smith (23) scored above 11 as Garth and Kenealy took on the role of tormentors with the ball too. Essex eventually ended 16 runs short when they were bowled out for 123.
Game 12 - Worcs v Scotland
Worcs 211/9 (Joanna Cull 49*, Thea Brookes 43, Abbi Aitken 5/34)
Scotland 179/9 (Olivia Rae 36, Kate McGill 32*, Abigail Houghton 3/32)
Worcestershire won by 32 runs
Worcestershire's middle-order batting all contributed with Joanna Cull (49*) and Thea Brookes (43) the pick of the them. Together they got Worcs to the respectable total of 211/9. Regular early wickets in the Scotland reply, including three in a row to Abi Houghton (3/32), put Scotland on the back foot and they never recovered to challenge the Worcs total despite 36 from Olivia Rae and late runs from Katie McGill (32).
Game 13 - Durham v Scotland
Durham 166/7 (Catherine Chapman 39, Becky Glen 37)
Scotland 50 all out (Elizabeth Priddle 32*, Helen Fenby 4/11. Rachael Petherick 3/24)
Durham won by 105 runs
Durham set Scotland 167 to win, based around a decent third wicket stand between Catherine Chapman (39) and Becky Glen (37). It was a target that Scotland probably felt happy chasing, until that is, they went into bat. Elizabeth Priddle (32*) was the only Wildcat to get into double figures as her partners found ways t get out at the other end. Coming in at four she remained unbeaten as Helen Fenby took four wicket in just 28 balls (4/11) to skittle Scotland out for just 50.
Game 14 - Somerset v Devon
Somerset 312/2 (Lizelle Lee 111, Sophie Luff 109*)
Devon 195 all out (50 overs) (Jodie Dibble 54, Cait O'Keefe 48)
Somerset won by 117 runs
South African opener Lizelle Lee (111) and England Academy's Sophie Luff (109*) took full advantage of a depleted Devon bowling attack (due to injury the day before) and the beautiful Taunton wicket to add 153 for the second Somerset wicket. Luff, scoring her maiden senior century, then added another 139 with Anya Shrubsole (63*) as Somerset piled up 312/2. Devon got to 96/1 in reply, but then lost wickets in clusters as the game slipped away from them.
Game 15 - Staffs v Ireland
Ireland 133 all out (Shauna Kavanagh 36, Laura Delany 34)
Staffs 137/4 (Francesca James 52)
Staffs won by 6 wickets
Once again Ireland's batting looked fragile as they struggled to 133 all out in 44.1 overs with all five of the Staff's bowlers used claiming a brace of wickets for not many runs. Only three Irish players made it into double figures with opener Shauna Kavanagh (36) and number 6 Laura Delany (34) the only major contributors. Staffs had little trouble knocking off the runs they needed, with Francesca James, coming in at four, after some rather pedestrian progress, smashing 52 off just 26 balls including five 6s. She left the carnage with just 11 needed to win, which Staffs achieved in the 32nd over.
Game 16 - Worcs v Wales
Worcs 176/8 (Clare Boycott 53, Lauren Rowles 44)
Wales 174 all out (50 overs) (Megan Burton 35)
Worcestershire won by 2 runs
Having used eight bowlers the previous day Wales went one better in this match with only the keeper and one other not getting a bowl. Ffion Wynne came out the top bowler with 2/16. Worcs' middle-order did most of the run-scoring with Clare Boycott (53) and Lauren Rowles (44) chief scorers. After losing the in-form Lauren Parfitt early Wales looked to be in trouble as they tried to chase down 177 to win, but Megan Burton (35) got them to 130/5, before a flurry of wickets left them floundering again on 137/8 with overs running out. Rose Evans (21) added 14 for the ninth wicket with Cartwright before she became Sian Ruck's second victim. Evans and number 11 Marsha Davies then took the game to the last over, but still needed 15 to win. They got 13 but Evans was out off the last ball to give Worcs the win by just 2 runs.
MD
26/V/15
Sunday, 17 May 2015
Women's County Champs - Div 1 Week 2 Preview
The second Bank Holiday weekend in May sees the second set of Women's County Championship double headers.
All the teams should be able to pick from their full squads, subject to injury of course, so if you want to go and see some of the best players in the country then get out sometime over this coming weekend (fixtures are at the bottom of this piece).
Table-toppers Surrey are at Reed's School again on both days, where they beat Sussex on the opening day of the season. On Sunday they take on Middlesex who are yet to get their season underway due to rain, and this looks like being Surrey's toughest game of the weekend. Early wickets will be key for Middlesex, particularly those of in-form opener Kirstie White and number 3, Nat Sciver. Middlesex perhaps lack a really penetrating opening bowler, but their spinners - Hartley, Westbury and Dunkley might be able to strangle Surrey's batting if they can get their line and length right. I think Middlesex might just clip high-flying Surrey's wings.
On Sunday Surrey host Warwickshire, who lost both their games in the opening weekend (to Notts and Yorkshire). Surrey look odds-on to come away with the win, plunging Warwickshire into further trouble at the foot of the table. The previous day they will have taken on Sussex, who have not won in their last five county championship games (losses to Kent, Surrey, and Middlesex to end last season and then Surrey and Kent (the infamous tie) at the start of this one). Sussex will be keen to get back to winning ways and should be at full strength as Georgia Adams, Freya Davies, and Aussie import Erin Osborne all report for duty for the first time. Sussex's bowling looks too strong for Warwickshire.
New guys LCB Thunder may also struggle to get their first Div 1 win on the board as they have to travel to Kent and then Middlesex, for their second and third games in the top flight. Sussex proved that Kent's batting line-up is not invincible, but Charlotte Edwards will be determined that Kent pick up two more victories before she and her fellow England contingent concentrate their efforts on the Ashes. Lancs may just pay the price. Middlesex too will not want to slip up against the northerners. If they can make this their second win of the season they will be in prime position to challenge for the title as they have no players likely to feature in the Ashes series.
Kent's Monday game is an intriguing encounter against Notts. Notts' Danni Wyatt will be keen to show the England skipper what she is missing with the bat, and perhaps even the ball, if not selected for the national team. Notts' fortunes may fall on her shoulders, but the sensible money will be on another Kent win. Odds on the tie will be pretty long!
The previous day Notts will have been at Berkshire, who were only just pipped, by two runs, in their opening game of the season against Surrey. They will have taken heart from that and from the arrival of Aussie star bat Alex Blackwell who should make her first appearance of the season. This could be a tight game, hinging on just one key performance on either side. On paper Notts have the edge and I think they will probably win it.
The final game is Berks v Yorkshire on Bank Holiday Monday, which could be another monumental tussle. If Berkshire can make early inroads into the Yorkshire batting line-up then they might just pull off a bit of a surprise victory.
Sunday 24th May
Berks v Notts at Finchampstead CC
Kent v Lancs at Spitfire Ground St Lawrence
Surrey v Middx at Reeds School
Sussex v Warwickshire at East Grinstead CC
Monday 25th May
Berks v Yorkshire at Finchampstead CC
Kent v Notts at Spitfire Ground St Lawrence
Middx v Lancs at Edmonton CC
Surrey v Warwickshire at Reeds School
MD
17/V/15
All the teams should be able to pick from their full squads, subject to injury of course, so if you want to go and see some of the best players in the country then get out sometime over this coming weekend (fixtures are at the bottom of this piece).
Table-toppers Surrey are at Reed's School again on both days, where they beat Sussex on the opening day of the season. On Sunday they take on Middlesex who are yet to get their season underway due to rain, and this looks like being Surrey's toughest game of the weekend. Early wickets will be key for Middlesex, particularly those of in-form opener Kirstie White and number 3, Nat Sciver. Middlesex perhaps lack a really penetrating opening bowler, but their spinners - Hartley, Westbury and Dunkley might be able to strangle Surrey's batting if they can get their line and length right. I think Middlesex might just clip high-flying Surrey's wings.
On Sunday Surrey host Warwickshire, who lost both their games in the opening weekend (to Notts and Yorkshire). Surrey look odds-on to come away with the win, plunging Warwickshire into further trouble at the foot of the table. The previous day they will have taken on Sussex, who have not won in their last five county championship games (losses to Kent, Surrey, and Middlesex to end last season and then Surrey and Kent (the infamous tie) at the start of this one). Sussex will be keen to get back to winning ways and should be at full strength as Georgia Adams, Freya Davies, and Aussie import Erin Osborne all report for duty for the first time. Sussex's bowling looks too strong for Warwickshire.
New guys LCB Thunder may also struggle to get their first Div 1 win on the board as they have to travel to Kent and then Middlesex, for their second and third games in the top flight. Sussex proved that Kent's batting line-up is not invincible, but Charlotte Edwards will be determined that Kent pick up two more victories before she and her fellow England contingent concentrate their efforts on the Ashes. Lancs may just pay the price. Middlesex too will not want to slip up against the northerners. If they can make this their second win of the season they will be in prime position to challenge for the title as they have no players likely to feature in the Ashes series.
Kent's Monday game is an intriguing encounter against Notts. Notts' Danni Wyatt will be keen to show the England skipper what she is missing with the bat, and perhaps even the ball, if not selected for the national team. Notts' fortunes may fall on her shoulders, but the sensible money will be on another Kent win. Odds on the tie will be pretty long!
The previous day Notts will have been at Berkshire, who were only just pipped, by two runs, in their opening game of the season against Surrey. They will have taken heart from that and from the arrival of Aussie star bat Alex Blackwell who should make her first appearance of the season. This could be a tight game, hinging on just one key performance on either side. On paper Notts have the edge and I think they will probably win it.
The final game is Berks v Yorkshire on Bank Holiday Monday, which could be another monumental tussle. If Berkshire can make early inroads into the Yorkshire batting line-up then they might just pull off a bit of a surprise victory.
Sunday 24th May
Berks v Notts at Finchampstead CC
Kent v Lancs at Spitfire Ground St Lawrence
Surrey v Middx at Reeds School
Sussex v Warwickshire at East Grinstead CC
Monday 25th May
Berks v Yorkshire at Finchampstead CC
Kent v Notts at Spitfire Ground St Lawrence
Middx v Lancs at Edmonton CC
Surrey v Warwickshire at Reeds School
MD
17/V/15
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