What is the Women’s Cricket Super League?

It’s a new elite-level competition for women’s cricket in England.

How many teams / players will take part?

There will be six teams in the competition.

Are these franchises?

In a word… YES! (The ECB are calling them “hosts” but they are franchises in all-but-name.)

Where will the teams be based?

We don’t know yet – the ECB are currently soliciting host tenders, and are prepared to entertain bids from anyone – Arsenal Football club was mentioned, albeit we imagine mainly in jest! However, requirements for teams to support a certain level of facilities for players, spectators and the media, will mean that in practice all bids seem likely to come from existing men’s First Class counties, or amalgamations thereof. Additionally, the ECB have promised to try to maintain a broad geographical base for WCSL, so teams will be spread throughout the country.

How many overseas stars will we see?

Up to 12 “overseas” superstars will play in WCSL; and it is hoped that the very biggest names in women’s cricket will be involved, such as Australia’s Meg Lanning and West Indies’ Deandra Dottin.

How much are the players getting paid?

That’s up to the individual teams, and in practice the answer (at least initially) is likely to be “not much” but the players have been promised (small) match fees and expenses, which is actually a major step forward. (Most county players today have to pay their own way.)

Is this a T20 league like WBBL?

Initially, yes – 2016 will see WCSL run as a T20 competition, alongside the existing Women’s County Championship and Women’s T20 Cup. But in 2017, the league will extend to embrace the 50-over One Day format.

Will it be on TV?

The ECB are certainly very hopeful in this regard – even raising the possibility that it could be on Free-To-Air TV. However, CRICKETher understands that this would require SKY’s agreement, as they currently own the rights to all cricket played under the auspices of the ICC in England and Wales; so at this stage the answer would have to be that it is “up in the air SKY”!

What happens to the Women’s County Championship?

Officially, nothing – it continues as before, and the ECB are committed to maintaining its funding; but they admit that once the “One Day” WCSL begins in 2017, we are unlikely to see the very top players playing county cricket again.

What happens to Scotland and Ireland?

In the words of Clare Connor… “Good question!” After 2018, they will not be permitted to take part in the Women’s County Championship; and their players will be considered “overseas” from the perspective of WCSL. (Though whether this is compatible with EU law is an open question, and may yet be one for the lawyers.)

As first broken by CRICKETher back in March, the ECB have now officially announced the 6-team Women’s Super League will commence next summer, 2016.

For the first year, the Super League will run as a purely Twenty20 format competition, ALONGSIDE the existing 50-Over County Championship and T20 County Cup. Thereafter the WCSL will evolve to embrace both formats from 2017.

The WCSL is supported by a 4-year, £3 million pound investment from the ECB; who are hoping to attract international stars to the competition alongside home-grown players.

Read Our Women’s Cricket Super League Q & A

Georgia Isaac reports from Edmonton CC

Edmonton CC in London provided the setting for three exciting games of T20 cricket, and considering play began in misty rain it was good that the teams lost only eight overs in the day. For Middlesex, it was an excellent all-round performance as they beat reigning champions Nottinghamshire by 9 wickets, then followed this up with a 10-wicket win over Somerset.

Middlesex captain Izzy Westbury was clearly thrilled with the team’s winning performances. “Our squad of 15 is all pushing for places in the first eleven, and that’s the beauty of Middlesex. There are no superstars, but we’ve got a very good team.”

The first match was between Middlesex and Nottinghamshire. As Notts won the T20 competition last year and have three England internationals in their side, they were always going to be tough opponents. Danni Wyatt was in an explosive mood and hit 89 off only 54 deliveries including eight 4s and two 6s. She gave chances, but the ball was damp, fielders struggled to hold it, and there is always extra pressure when attempting to take the wicket of an international.

Wyatt dominated an opening stand of 86 with captain Sonia Odedra, who was bowled by Izzy Westbury for 25 off 22, including four 4s. Soon afterwards, the persistent drizzle became rain and the players were taken off. Although there was only a short delay, with three fixtures needing to be completed in a day, overs are quickly lost. Each innings was reduced to 16 overs, which meant Notts had just five overs to build on the Wyatt platform.

A second wicket soon fell as Sophia Dunkley had Georgie Boyce stumped for eight, with the score on 132. Ria Raval then took the wickets of England pair Wyatt (89) and Jenny Gunn (0), and with one run added by Abbey Hawkins, Nottinghamshire ended their 16 overs on 136-4.

It was going to be a challenging chase for Middlesex as 136 is a good score after 20 overs and even more impressive after just 16, particularly when the overs were lost not from the start, but midway through the innings. The hosts also lacked one of their top-order batsmen – Cath Dalton – who had injured her ankle at training on Friday night.

Dunkley and Tash Miles opened the batting against Odedra’s pace and Wyatt’s spin. Middlesex attacked from the start, with crisp square drives a feature of Dunkley’s unbeaten 66 off only 46 balls. Miles also batted well, but fell short of a half-century when caught by Zoe Richards off the bowling of Rebecca Widdowson for 42, including five 4s and a 6. Miles fell at 94; Fran Wilson joined Dunkley and they saw Middlesex to an impressive nine-wicket win in 14 overs.

After the game, Sophia Dunkley said that Middlesex had approached the run chase positively throughout. “Tash [Miles] and I normally go out and play quite freely anyway, so it was a good chance to play our natural game, and we pulled it off.”

The second match saw Nottinghamshire face Somerset. Notts again batted first and Wyatt continued her superb form, scoring a boundary-filled 103. Her ability to score all round the wicket again highlighted her quality, and showed she is pushing for a spot in the Ashes squad. Although dropped eight times across the two games, she refused to change her aggressive style of batting. Nottinghamshire completed their innings on 142.

South African-batsman Lizelle Lee and Gwenan Davies opened for Somerset. Lee made a century in her previous county game and is in good form for Bath CC, so hers was the key wicket. She played an entertaining innings, striking the ball powerfully and forming a solid partnership with Anya Shrubsole worth 61 before the England fast bowler was caught by Jenny Gunn off Amy Gauvrit for 27.

This left Somerset on 89-3 after 15 overs, almost completely reliant on Lee if they were to stand a chance of victory. But she was dismissed by Rebecca Widowson for 77, having scored nearly two-thirds of her runs in boundaries, as she took a big swing and was caught by Gauvrit. Somerset fell short by 17 runs, finishing on 125-5.

The final match of the day was between Middlesex and Somerset. Westbury won the toss for the second time and decided to stick with the team’s winning formula by fielding first. Unlike the first match, bowling proved decisive. As number three Fran Wilson is on loan from Somerset, she was not able to play this match, and Danni Warren was brought into the side.

Having watched some of the second match, the team was aware that Lee remained in good form, and that she and captain Anya Shrubsole would probably hold the key to Somerset’s ability to post a challenging total. Middlesex got the wicket they desired as Dattani had Lee caught behind by India Whitty, after a strangled shot down the leg-side, for 2.

Generally Middlesex’s bowling and fielding was of a much higher standard in this match, and wickets fell fairly steadily, with Warren (3-6) picking up three including England Academy’s Sophie Luff, fresh from her 109* in the last round of county matches. Somerset fought until the 16th over when Westbury took the final wicket, and they were all out for just 48.

Once again Sophia Dunkley and Tash Miles proved a successful opening partnership for the hosts. Although Somerset’s opening bowlers Shrubsole and Lee attacked until the end, they simply did not have a high enough total to defend, and found themselves congratulating Middlesex on their 10-wicket win after only 7.5 overs.

Georgia blogs about cricket regularly at https://georgiacricket.wordpress.com.

Kent emerged on top with wins over both Ireland and Berkshire yesterday at Finchampstead CC, in the opening round of this season’s Women’s Twenty20 Cup.

Kent‘s first victory, against Ireland, was a convincing one, as half-centuries from Charlotte Edwards (53) and Tammy Beaumont (61) provided the platform for a 46-run win.

They followed this up with a 4-run victory against Berkshire.

Speaking to CRICKETher after the three matches were complete, Kent captain Charlotte Edwards admitted that the day – which saw Kent play back-to-back T20 games, the last of which went on until gone 7.30pm – had been tiring, but said that she felt the format was a good one.

“It’s been pretty tough, but this level of cricket should be tough. We’re really pleased with how we’ve played today against a good Ireland team and Berkshire team.”

Berkshire v Ireland

Berkshire beat Ireland with 10 balls to spare, thanks to an unbeaten partnership of 89 between their international superstars Heather Knight (54*) and Alex Blackwell (42*).

Ireland, batting first having won the toss on a cold, drizzly morning in Berkshire, looked to play positively from the get-go; but lost crucial wickets early – Issy Joyce in the first over, edging Immy Brown to Heather Knight at slip; Clare Shillington in the second, bowled by Knight.

Cecilia Joyce then took Brown for 15 off the third, including 3 consecutive 4s, to take the visitors to 27/2 after 3 overs; but generally boundaries looked hard to find on a slow, damp outfield. Nevertheless, Ireland continued to play pugnacious Twenty20 cricket, and ultimately progressed to 104/5 from their overs, Laura Delany top-scoring with 32*.

Berkshire’s reply started slowly, as they lost opener Alex Rogers to a 7-ball duck and Lissy McLeod for 2; but this brought Blackwell and Knight together and although they eschewed the big shots that the Irish had been looking to play, they nonetheless did the job they needed to do, seeing things through in the 18th over, without ever looking in any trouble.

Kent v Ireland

Half centuries from Charlotte Edwards (53) and Tammy Beaumont (61) in a century opening stand provided the platform for Kent to convincingly beat Ireland.

For the first 10 overs, Edwards and Beaumont dealt largely in scampering singles, harrying the field at every ball. Beaumont in particular played very straight and looked solid and in command with her punchy drives. Then Kent began to open up – a more expansive approach which led to Edwards being dropped 3 times in the space of 7 balls in the 11th and 12th overs.

Reaching their 50s in the same over, both perished soon after – Edwards run out and Beaumont bowled attempting an uncharacteristic slog off O’Reilly. But the damage had been done by then, and Kent’s final total of 144 was always going to be a mountain for the Irish.

And so it proved. Although the Irish maintained a respectable run rate of around 5 throughout their innings, with good contributions from Laura Delany (25*) and Issy Joyce (22), they fell well short in the end, finishing on 98/5.

Berkshire v Kent

In the day’s final game, Berkshire narrowly failed to beat Kent, with the action going down to the wire as Berkshire were left needing 4 runs off the final ball. But Laura Marsh held her nerve and bowled Daisy Gardner, who was attempting to slog the required boundary.

With Kent having won the toss and elected to bat, it was again Edwards (39) and Beaumont (22) who laid down the platform in an opening stand of 44. Eventually Beaumont was out to Gardener, playing across herself for the second time in the day… and getting bowled for the second time in the day!

Edwards was then joined by Lydia Greenway, and the pair took the score to 65/1 after 10 overs. Berkshire, though, did well to pull back the run-rate in the second half of Kent’s innings, as they finished on 117/4.

As Ireland had earlier in the day, Berkshire maintained a fairly consistent rate of 5-an-over in the first two-thirds of their innings, thanks to Knight (27), Lissy Macleod (24) and Alex Blackwell (20). But with none of the top batsmen able to quite push-on far enough, it was left Berkshire’s late-order to get them back into it, smashing and crashing the ball around in the latening gloom to take them close – though not quite close enough.

Beth Smith reports on progress in the Lincs League this season

Heading into its third year, the women’s cricket league in Lincolnshire has provided females across the county the opportunity to play against each other and the chance to become recognised by the county. It has also enabled those junior county players to participate in more fixtures against each other thus challenging them to show why they have been selected to represent their county.

Newcomers to the league, Hartsholme CC, have had a brilliant start to their campaign winning 2 of their 3 fixtures: beating returning teams Louth CC and Scunthorpe CC but losing out to Market Rasen CC – who are looking to turn close-fought losses into victories this year.

Rasen have also won 2 of 3, losing to Louth in their first game of the season, missing a number of regular players due to exams. Comfortable victories in their next 2 fixtures against Hartsholme and Scunthorpe have left Rasen joint top with Hartsholme after 6 matches have been played in the league.

Joint winners in 2014, Louth, currently sit third with 1 win and 1 loss. With their strongest team out, Louth have the potential to climb up the table but with the new strength of Rasen and Hartsholme it will be a tough challenge for them.

Scunthorpe have had the worst possible start losing all 3 of their fixtures putting them bottom of the table. The only team yet to play in 2015 are additional newcomers Long Sutton CC. With a young inexperienced side, they have a tough inaugural season ahead.

Joint winners alongside Louth from 2014, Spalding, opened their 2015 season with a resounding 8-wicket victory over Scunthorpe. With a new captain and coach and having lost some senior players, Spalding will find this season harder than last year and will do well to defend their title.

Even though the season is yet to get into full swing, there is a clear divide beginning to show within the league. There have also been some notable performances. In her first match of the season for Rasen, county U17 captain Becki Brooker opened her account with 56*; and county U15 bowlers Olivia Clark and Sammy-jo Boothright have also already picked up 5 wickets each for Hartsholme.

For full scorecards and stats visit the Lincolnshire Women’s Cricket League play-cricket website.

England Women capped off an inspiring day in North London by holding their nerve to beat a Hampstead Cricket Club Men’s XI by 10 runs.

Although the girls looked dead and buried as Hampstead’s openers put on 132 for the first wicket, Heather Knight (2/20) and Becky Grundy (2/32) brought England back into the game, holding back the run rate just enough to ensure victory in the final furlong.

Batting first, England had put 175 on the board, thanks mainly to Nat Sciver’s late-rallying 46 not out from 38 balls, with Charlotte Edwards (30) and Sarah Taylor (23) also contributing.

But it was earlier in the day that the really important stuff had taken place.

Launching the ECB’s #ThisGirlCan Play Cricket campaign a whole galaxy of England stars hosted a series of coaching master-classes for women and girls from local clubs and schools, including Hampstead CC’s own Women’s team.

Speaking to CRICKETher, England glove-butler Sarah Taylor was passionate about just how important this was, not only to England cricket, but to her personally:

“I don’t think we should ever back away from things like this. We’ve had people in our past that have made the effort to come and help us, and I don’t think we’d be here today without those people, so I’d like to think we have to give back to the game and give out.”

A crowd of well over 300 later joined the likes of non-playing England stars Katherine Brunt and Danni Wyatt in a BBQ picnic, as the match played out under a warm North London sky. An unforeseen highlight was the running commentary over the PA from Downton Abbey’s (Not-Glove) Butler, Mr Carson (Jim Carter).

#ThisGirlCan Play Cricket now moves on to four other locations around the country over the next couple of weeks. (Full details here.) If today was anything to go by, they are not to be missed!

Luke Sellers reports from Briton Ferry Steel Ground

Gloucestershire U15 Girls (150-3) beat Wales U15 Girls (102-9) by 48 runs

Wales U15 Girls (84-1) beat Gloucestershire U15 Girls (80 all out) by 9 wickets

Gloucestershire U15 Girls enjoyed a mixed day in South Wales, winning their first game in impressive fashion before losing equally emphatically in their second.

In game one, Glos dominated from the start as captain Alice Hill (Hatherley and Reddings) and Danielle Gibson (Dumbleton) put on 96 in the first 13 overs before the former was run out for 24.

But with Gibson in full flow joined by Naima Milhofer (Downend), the vistors continued to score quickly, putting on 30 in four overs.  Milhofer was run out for 13 with the score on 126 but Gibson continued to take on the Welsh bowlers, making an impressive 88 off 63 balls before being stumped in the last over.

Chasing 151 to win Wales slipped to 10-1 in the third over when Phoebe Pearce (1-14) (Charlton Kings) bowled Osborn for 0.

Leg spinner Natasha Smith (2-17) (Frocester) took two wickets in the eight over to make it 44-3.

Three overs later the introduction of Jaz Gillingham (3-11) (Cam) saw Glos tighten their grip on the match as she took two wickets in her first over.

From 67 for 5 Wales were unable to challenge the Glos total and finished 48 runs short.

In the second match between the teams Glos collapsed from 31-1 to 80 all out as Wales skipper Jessica Thornton (4-6) tore through the middle order.

Gibson top scored with 20 and then bowled Thornton out for 0 from the second ball of the Wales innings. But Charlotte Scarborough (23 not out) and Alex Griffths (42*) batted well to complete a comprehensive nine wicket win.

Full scorecards can be found here and here.

Luke Sellers reports from Kidderminster CC

Gloucestershire U17 Women (107-4) beat Worcestershire U17 Women (103-8) by 6 wickets

Gloucestershire U17 Women (135-3) beat Wales U17 Women (102-5) by 33 runs

Gloucestershire’s Under 17 Women got their summer off to a great start with back-to-back victories in the ECB T20 County Championship.

Led by new captain Charlie Phillips (Bath) the side followed up a six wicket win over Worcestershire with a 33-run victory over Wales at Kidderminster CC.

Against Worcestershire Glos won the toss but were soon up against it with the home team’s openers playing some great shots to all parts of the ground.

Eve Alder (1-21) (Cirencester) got the first breakthrough in the fourth over, bowling Farnworth for 13 with the score on 21.

Worcs tried to maintain their early momentum but the Glos bowlers were beginning to get on top.

The introduction of Emily Wilson (Bristol Phoenix) reaped rewards as she picked up 3-16 – including a double wicket maiden – with an unerringly accurate spell.

Danielle Gibson (1-24) (Dumbleton) also made an impact, sending Worcs skipper Georgina Bragg’s (30) middle stump cartwheeling with the first ball of her second over.

Phillips took 2-20 and got a run out as the home side finished on 103-8.

In response, Naomi Forecast (Bristol Phoenix) anchored the innings with a dominant 49* (including 10 4s),  with good support from Alice Hill (14) (Hatherley and Reddings) and Alder (16*) as Glos reached their target with 3.3 overs to spare and six wickets in hand.

Forecast and Alder carried their form on in the next game against Wales, blasting their way to an opening stand of 51 from seven overs.

Forecast his four fours and a six in her knock of 52 from 54 balls, while Alder made 21 from just 17.

When they departed, attacking cameos from Hill (14) and Emily Wilkins (31) (Frenchay) ensured Glos reached 135-4.

Wales started well, putting on 62 for the first wicket, but two key run outs, a stumping and tight bowling from the whole attack – including Jess Werrett (2-20) (Hambrook) – stemmed the run rate, leaving Wales 33 runs short.

Full scorecards can be found here and here.