The ICC have confirmed the schedule for the World T20 Qualifiers in Thailand this November so CRICKETher sat down with Scotland captain Abbi Aitken to talk about the challenge ahead:

“We are really excited to head out to Thailand.” she says. “We have Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea and Thailand in our group. We’ve played Papua New Guinea and Thailand before. We’ve never played Bangladesh, but we are well aware of the skill and the depth that they have.”

The tournament is structured around two groups of four, with the top two teams in each group going through to semis and a final; but only the two finalists qualify for the World T20 “proper” in India next year. Scotland’s first challenge is to make it through the group stages, and for Aitken that is the main goal:

“We back ourselves to finish in the top 2 of our group and that is going to be our aim.”

Asked if they can go one better and book themselves a ticket to India, Aitken dials-down expectations: “We’ll see how the tournament goes!” she replies with a smile.

These qualifiers represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Scotland:

“Last time we competed in a World Cup qualifier was in South Africa in 2008. That was an eye-opener for myself – I was really young – going out there and actually experiencing international cricket outwith Europe is an experience and it will be interesting for the girls.”

But excitement within the camp is tempered by nerves:

“There’s a massive competition going on at the moment for places – we’ve got 14 people that we can take and we’ve realistically got 19/20 girls pushing for those places. It is difficult to then select a team to go, and there are going be a few disappointed faces, but it is good for us at the end of the day to have that competition.”

For Aitken, who remains a “full time amateur”, balancing work and cricket can be demanding, no more so than when you are heading off to an international tournament:

“I’ve just got a new job and I’m already facing challenges with having to ask for holidays before I’ve even started. It’s not always easy.”

At the end of the day though, pulling on that Scotland jersey is its own reward:

“Any time you wear the shirt you wear it with pride!” she says. “It is a juggle, but we do it because we love it.”

Whilst Ellyse Perry was rightly awarded overall Player of the Series in the 2015 Women’s Ashes, England fans have had their say, voting for batsman and superstar fielder Lydia Greenway as their England Player of the Series.

Greenway hasn’t had the easiest of times recently, after a run of indifferent scores led to her being dropped for the final Women’s International Championship ODI of England’s winter tour to New Zealand in February.

But she has come roaring back in the Women’s Ashes this summer, starting off with a half-century in the 1st ODI at Taunton, and going on to top the list of England’s run-scorers in the series, with 202 at an average of 34.

This summer has seen a renewed determination from Greenway to defend her wicket. Having largely pared back her game to a big, solid forward defensive and of course her trademark sweeps, her Strike Rate has been down somewhat on her career overall; but at a time when England’s middle-order has needed backbone more than anything else, the new Greenway’s presence has been a welcome one.

Meanwhile her sharpness in the field continues to be worth an extra 10-20 runs in every game she plays; not to mention her 4 catches and 3 run-outs in the series.

The head of women’s cricket in Scotland, Kari Carswell, has told CRICKETher that Scotland’s international future hangs in the balance, due to ECB plans to exclude them from the Women’s County Championship as part of the reorganisation of domestic cricket in England following the establishment of the Women’s Cricket Super League in 2016/17.

As well as being ICC Associate Nations, Scotland along with Ireland and the Netherlands, play as “counties” in England’s domestic competitions – the 50-over Women’s County Championship and the T20 Cup. (Scotland are currently in Division 2 of the County Championship, along with Ireland, whilst the Netherlands lie in Division 3. In the T20 format, Ireland are in Division 1, while Scotland and the Netherlands compete in Division 3.)

However, back in June the ECB announced that 2016/17 would see the introduction of a new Super League; and that whilst the County Championship would continue, the three Associate Nations would be excluded from it.

Scotland boss Kari Carswell described her reaction to the news:

“I have no doubt that women’s cricket in Scotland will continue to move forward regardless,” she told CRICKETher, “but it is a concern to us.”

Carswell stressed that she is sympathetic to what the ECB are trying to do with the Super League:

“It is obviously something needed. You can see that by the recent Ashes series that the step between County Championship to the next level is obviously quite big. So it’s the right thing for them to do.”

And she told us that it would be “absolutely awesome” if any Scotland players were to play Super League, mentioning in particular their highly rated young left-arm orthodox, Kirstie Gordon; and former “Wildcat” Leigh Kasperek, who recently made her New Zealand début:

“Kirstie is part of the development program with the ECB just now. We’ve never held anybody back – Leigh played at Essex and is now playing for New Zealand – so if there’s girls that want to go and play, absolutely!”

But whilst being supportive of Super League, Carswell is very worried for the future of Scotland as an international cricketing nation if they are excluded from the Women’s County Championship, arguing that the opportunity to play regularly as a team is vital:

“Replicating a competitive fixture list of 16 games will be difficult, and is something that we will have to look at. We have absolutely loved being part of the County Championship and I would like to think that we have added something to the program. As an Associate you are trying to get better and trying to do all the right things; but at the end of the day you need to play quality cricket to measure yourself.”

Scotland’s only other option for competitive cricket comes from the European Championship, but Carswell believes this isn’t enough of a foundation upon which to build a national team:

“If we only go back to only playing the European Championship once every 2 or 3 years, it will be a step backwards in my opinion.”

Pointing out that Scotland don’t currently receive any ECB funding, and play all their matches “away” to minimize the travel costs for other counties, she continued:

“We would like to think that we would still easily fit in to a regional set up – a north group would be perfect!”

All hope isn’t lost for Scotland – but Carswell’s pleas betray what a knife-edge this is on:

“We have had conversations with the ECB about trying to stay in – trying to convince them that we can still be part of a regional program. There needs to be a bit more dialogue between us and the ECB; because we would love to stay in it!”

Richard Clark Reports

It may have escaped your attention amidst “Ashes Fever”, but history was made at a slightly moist New Road, Worcester, on Sunday 30th August, as Worcestershire Ladies took to the hallowed turf for the first time ever against Devon.

Ostensibly staged as part of the County’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations, the occasion was enough of a success, not least due to the quality of the match provided by the two teams, to hope that it will be repeated more often in the future.

A little context here – my daughter plays for Worcestershire under 13s, but this was my first experience of watching any Women’s County Cricket. As such, I was a little unsure what to expect in terms of standards from a Second Division clash. I need not have worried.

Batting first, Worcs got off to a steady start, with openers Naomi Heywood and Jo Cull putting on 127 together before both departed almost immediately after passing 50. A spot of “ticking over” followed, but a steady 37 not out from Claire Boycott (no relation, and sans either pinny or stick of rhubarb!), and a bludgeoned 29 off 16 balls from Rachel Baldwin meant that Devon were set 237 to win, a target that was probably about 20 beyond par.

From 40-2, and with star name Jodie Dibble (5) back in the hutch, Worcs were in the driving seat, but opener Amara Carr (68) and Cait O’Keefe (42) calmly put on 94, and then Sophie Mackenzie added a purposeful 28 off 26, including the only six of the afternoon, to leave the game evenly poised as Devon wanted 67 off 10 overs with seven wickets in hand.

However, both O’Keefe and Mackenzie fell in short order and the Devonian tail could not emulate Baldwin’s earlier fireworks, leaving them adrift on 201-8 as Worcs won by 35 runs. The added pressure of those extra 20 runs…

For the home side, fittingly on the day, it was a real team effort. Not one player shone higher than any other, although Thea Brookes quietly played a key role in the field with 10 overs for 34 to keep control whilst Devon were in the ascendency, including the key wicket of the well-set Carr, and then a fine steepling catch to dismiss Mackenzie as she looked to cut loose.

As for Devon, perhaps it was telling that three of their players played in un-numbered, un-named shirts, maybe pointing to difficulties raising a full team for the game? Certainly, once the top five had been dismissed there suddenly appeared an imbalance between the teams in those last 10 overs that had not been evident at any stage up to then, and was a pity after the first 90 had been so closely fought.

Off the field, a healthy crowd of around 200 watched on. Admission and parking was free, which should not necessarily be taken for granted at a County ground, so perhaps it was disappointing that more did not venture along.

If I wanted to be critical, more could have been done in terms of marketing the game – Worcestershire CCC’s own website, for instance, carried no mention of the match other than one news piece a mere 24 hours ahead of the game, and my father who is a long-standing County member, was not aware of it until I told him a few days beforehand. Given that they were paying staff to man the bar/catering and to steward the match, one would have thought it would be in their best interests to attract as many people as possible.

All that being said, this was a dipping of a toe in the water, and in that context the day has to be seen as a resounding success. If there is a next time, which there bloomin’ well should be, then the groundwork will have been done and the glitches can be ironed out.

Before England’s match at Chelmsford last Wednesday evening a special ceremony took place, as three girls from the East London Girls club were presented with bats on behalf of the Cricket Society.

The bats – which are from Cricket Deal Direct’s Heather Knight Collection – are part of a wider three-year bursary scheme funded by the Cricket Society through Chance to Shine Street. The Society are using a legacy which was left to them by a former officer, Vivienne Hogarth, with the request that it be used to help talented but needy cricketers.

Chairman of the Cricket Society Nigel Hancock was at Chelmsford to witness the presentation, and explained that the Society had been keen to use the money to aid grassroots women’s cricket, and had chosen to act as a funder for Chance to Shine as a result.

The girls themselves were clearly thrilled with their new bats, which they personally chose, and with the opportunity to meet England players Charlotte Edwards and Heather Knight before seeing them in action. 15-year-old Kiran, who has been playing cricket for two years, said:

“The bat feels amazing. It’s so good. My bat’s nothing like this!”

Kiran is just one of 400 girls annually who since 2011 have benefitted from the expansion of Chance to Shine’s Street scheme, which is now a national programme designed to provide opportunities to participate in cricket where the sport would not otherwise be accessible.

While cricket was not offered at her school, when Chance to Shine Street held an event at Wanstead School two years ago Kiran decided to go along, and fell in love with the game.

“Cricket’s not like any other sport,” she told CRICKETher. “Every ball you’re watching, and every ball is different. I would love to play for England one day!”

The East London Girls club is one of several girls-only schemes which Chance to Shine Street have introduced, and forms part of the general expansion of girls’ cricket in Essex in recent years, spearheaded by Essex Cricket Board’s Dave Letch. Several of the girls from East London now also play for Wanstead CC.

After the award, the girls stayed on to watch England Women beat Australia in spectacular fashion. It was certainly great to see them being inspired by the very player, Heather Knight, whose name and signature adorns their new bats.

Steve Dent Reports

Gloucestershire 249 – 8 (50 overs) beat Dorset 62 all out (28.4 overs) by 187 runs

Sidra Khan’s hat trick was the highlight as Gloucestershire Women secured the Division 4 championship and promotion back to Division 3 with a comprehensive win against Dorset at Dean Park in Bournemouth. Khan’s hat trick came in fantastic figures of 5.4 – 3 – 3 – 5 with all three batters being bowled.

Sidra Khan

With most of the team departing from Gloucestershire well before 7am in the morning, it was a slightly weary group that arrived in Bournemouth at 9.15am to be greeted with a very wet square and the prospect of a delayed start. Thankfully the ground staff worked superbly to get things ready and play started 75 mins late at 12.15pm after Dorset had won the toss and decided to field. Conditions were not going to be easy with a slow wicket, very slow outfield and 90m boundaries!

Alice Hill and Charlie Walker opened the batting and continued their successful partnership with both batting intelligently and with a good understanding. With boundaries in short supply they ran plenty of singles, twos and threes as they put on 61 in 13.3 overs before Alice got a leading edge and was caught at short mid wicket for 32 from 44 balls. Bethan Moorcraft fell in exactly the same way for 6 and was then followed by Walker who again was defeated by the slow wicket, caught at short extra for 32 from 53 balls.

Naomi Forecast and Danielle Gibson then entertained the watching support with an exciting partnership. Naomi picked the gaps skilfully and Danielle attacked the bowling positively as the pair put on 65 in 10.3 overs. Gibson was then caught at short extra cover for 27 from 28 balls with 2 boundaries.

Forecast, who has been in prolific form for the U17’s this season, continued in a partnership with Eve Alder and after despatching a full toss to the mid wicket boundary, reached her first senior half century from 55 balls. She was then caught shortly after for an excellent 51. Alder and April Wells continued to push up the total as they put on 44 before Wells was bowled for 15.

Eve’s intelligent knock kept pushing the score towards the 250 mark and she and Hannah Thompson continued to hit the gaps as they put on 27 in only 3 overs without a boundary! Eve was run out from the penultimate ball of the innings for 36, with Hannah finishing on 14 not out as Gloucestershire posted 249 – 8 from their 50 overs.

After a reduced break, Gloucestershire set out to defend 249 and got off to a great start with 2 wickets in the first 5 overs for Charlie Walker as she trapped Lowman lbw for 1 and bowled Oliver without scoring to reduce Dorset to 9 – 2. Pearce and Pack then frustrated the bowlers as they put on 25 in 10 overs before Chloe Davis got an lbw decision to dismiss Pack for 11.

The introduction of Sidra Khan saw a remarkable collapse as Dorset slipped from 41 – 3 to 48 – 9 in only 3.2 overs. Khan’s hat trick came in the 21st over as she clean bowled Callaghan, Brown and Rickman to wild celebrations from everyone of her team mates – a fantastic achievement from a very popular member of the team.

Chloe Davis then chipped in with 2 further wickets, one lbw and the other a catch off her own bowling, before Charlie Walker took a smart flat catch at cover to give Khan her 4th wicket. It was Sidra who finished the match with her 5th wicket having Thomas caught behind by Laura Marshall as Dorset were bowled out for 62 in 28.4 overs.

Davis finished with a fine 3 – 26 from 10 overs of leg spin, Walker 2 – 7 from 4 overs and there were tight spells without luck from Eve Alder 0 – 7 from 4 and Alice Hill 0 – 9 from 5 overs. The star of the bowling show however was Sidra Khan with 5 – 3 from 5.4 overs.

The final wicket was met by delighted celebrations from the whole team as the win secured promotion back to Division 3. The team only dropped 1 point in their 4 games and finished with a game average of 17.75.

Coach Steve Dent commented “Today was the epitome of a team performance with every single player making a contribution to a comprehensive win. We were all so pleased for Sid who was amazing with the ball today and the celebrations for the hat trick showed what a superb team spirit exists amongst all the girls. It was also very pleasing to see Naomi Forecast get her first senior 50, hopefully the first of many for her. At the beginning of the season we set out to achieve promotion back to Division 3 and I have nothing but admiration for how the team have gone about this throughout the season. We have plenty of challenges ahead in 2016, but have a young improving squad and the future for women’s cricket in the county is very exciting”

Martin Saxon Reports

Cup Final 

Wistaston Swans 100-4 (20; Hannah Thornhill 26ret, Katie Haszeldine 20*)

Chester Boughton Hall Deemons 80-5 (20; Beth Nicholson 22*, Thornhill 3-14)

Wistaston Swans are the T20 champions of Cheshire women’s cricket for the second year in succession after an all round display saw off Chester Boughton Hall Deemons. The experience of captain Alison Smith and Laura Newton had played a major part in getting them to the final, but here some of their many talented young players made significant contributions.

Despite scoring very few boundaries, some excellent rotation of the strike saw them reach three figures. Then Hannah Thornhill, who had top scored with the bat, took the key wickets at the start of the Chester reply.

From 25-4, Beth Nicholson and Maeve Sparks managed to put a partnership together, but the asking rate proved just too high. Katie Haszeldine, Hannah Bratt and Abbie Adams supplied some tight overs, all backed up by some excellent fielding.

Wistaston can now make it a T20 double by winning next Sunday’s Knockout Cup Final, where Chester once again provide their opposition.

Scorecard

Plate Final 

Oakmere Kats 103-5 (20; Shami Ahmed 27ret, Kate Skelhorn 25ret, Vicky Heaton 21*, Olivia Teasdale 2-11)

Trafford MV 34 (11.3; Vicky Dean 18, Sarah Worsdale 7-2, Rachel Tidd 2-17)

Earlier in the day, Oakmere comprehensively won the Plate Final. There can be few better occasions than a final to produce a record breaking bowling performance, but Sarah Worsdale’s return here was not only the best recorded in the history of this competition, it is also a record for any competition run by the League.

Chasing a stiff total, Trafford had reached 27 for no loss, but were already falling behind the asking rate after a miserly spell from Kate Skelhorn. Then the procession of batsmen back to the pavilion started when Worsdale claimed a hat-trick that included the prize scalps of Penny Critchlow and Carol Ingham. She continued to hit the stumps with remarkable regularity thereafter to claim her record haul.

Very few women cricketers anywhere in England get to experience the nerves and excitement that come from a cup final, so this day in the Cheshire League calendar is genuinely a unique occasion.

Scorecard

Ellyse Perry was rightly named Player of the 2015 Women’s Ashes Series, topping the charts for both runs (264) and wickets (16); but who was your England Player of the Series?