Beth Smith reports from Fulbeck CC

Sunday saw two Lincs v Norfolk games, with the ladies’ teams and U15 teams both facing each other. The Mini Imps set the visitors a target of 147, with prominent bat Ellie Stanley gaining 78 of Lincolnshire’s runs. The strength of the U15 bowling attack shone through as Norfolk were bowled out for 50 inside 22 overs. The Mini Imps were fortunate as three of the regular Norfolk U15 players had been called up to the ladies squad to face the Lincs Ladies.

Imps captain, Hayley Butts, lost the toss and the hosts were put into field with only 10 players present. With one less player on the field the Imps needed to bowl and field tightly to restrict a strong Norfolk bating team. They did just that. At drinks the Imps had managed to get Norfolk 80-4, a score board which pleased Lincs coach/ manager Alan Ward, and showed promise for the rest of the game if the Imps could continue to be as tight in the field.

For this to be plausible the Imps needed to get rid of opening bat, Tirimanna, which was skilfully done shortly after drinks when India Freeman got her stumped off Amy Halloran. Norfolk ended up all out for 182 with wickets coming for Rachael Dyer (3-38), Becki Brooker (2-24), Beth Smith (2-28), Sarah McDowell (2-27) and Amy Halloran (1-36).

Lincs began not worrying too much about the run rate, just looking to keep wickets in hand. Unfortunately Smith (17) was run-out early on, and McDowell (8) got caught out to a ball that popped widely off the pitch shortly afterwards. India Freeman and Halloran looked to steady the ship and were in the process of building a partnership when Freeman (27) attempted to go over the top and got caught leaving Lincs 73-3. Halloran (13) fell caught behind 8 runs later, and Butts and Brooker added a small partnership of 19 before a direct hit from Hemp dismissed Brooker (13) and left the Imps 102-5.

Wickets fell steadily after that with Butts, Dyer, Coggan, debutant Knapton and Barnes all failing to reach double figures. The extras score kept the Imps total ticking over but it was a landslide away from what they needed, and they were eventually all out for 126. The pick of Norfolk’s bowling and fielding came from Hogg (3-9), Reay (2-8), Cornelius (2-29), and Hemp (1-23), who also ran out Smith and Brooker.

So ended a glorious day for the Mini imps, but a disappointing one for the ladies, who for the team to succeed need one of their top 6 to achieve a big score, like the one that Tirimanna got for the travelling team. The Imps have two months to learn from the game before their next county champs fixture; in the meantime, they head to Ellesmere in a fortnight, where they will open their T20 campaign after last week’s scheduled game ended in a washout.

A full scorecard can be found here.

Steve Dent reports from Bridgnorth CC

Gloucestershire maintained their winning record in the county championship this weekend, with a hard-fought 36-run win against Shropshire at Bridgnorth CC.

After winning the toss and batting, openers Abby Evans and Charlie Walker built a large opening stand based on positive strokeplay and determination to lead from the front. Both were quick to despatch anything loose and their stand of 92 provided a great platform for the rest of the innings. Abby reached 50 from 64 balls with 6 boundaries before she was bowled by Lara Jones. With the score on 108 Charlie was given out LBW sweeping for a measured 36 from 66 balls.

Abby Evans Celebrates Her 50

Gloucestershire then lost two quick wickets before Bethan Moorcraft and Eve Alder produced a positive partnership to give the innings impetus. Bethan played with a clear purpose, ran positively and hit 7 boundaries in her innings of 50 from 62 balls. Eve played a valuable supporting role and the pair put on 55 in 13 overs before Eve was run out for 17 and, shortly after reaching her 50, Bethan was bowled, with the score on 174.

Bethan Moorcraft Celebrates Her 50

However, Laura Marshall (10*), Danika Dyer and Chloe Davis ensured that the score passed 200, and Gloucestershire finished on 205 – 9 from their 50 overs.

Things didn’t go to plan for Gloucestershire once Shropshire’s innings got underway, as Robyn Mathews played very positively right from the start. She shared in partnerships of 41 with Lara Jones and 62 with Millie Home to give Shropshire a real chance of chasing down their target.

The introduction of Danika Dyer brought about the change Gloucestershire were after, and she took the wickets of Jones and Home, both LBW. Her mid-innings spell of 2 – 22 from 10 overs was crucial. While Mathews carried on, passing 50, Dyer and Mollie Robbins started to turn the screw with some tight bowling.

The game looked to be heading for a tight finish with 8 overs to go and Shropshire wanting 51 with 6 wickets left, but a brilliant stumping by Laura Marshall off Mollie Robbins dismissed Mathews for a superb 80 and from that point onwards Gloucestershire dominated.

Robbins picked up two further wickets to finish with 3 – 27 from her 10 overs. A late wicket from Sidra Khan put the seal on the victory as Shropshire ended their 50 overs on 169 – 8.

Afterwards, coach Steve Dent described the win as “hard-fought”. “Shropshire looked likely winners at more than one stage. However the team stayed patient and positive and got their just rewards in the end, to record our 2nd win in the competition. There were excellent contributions all round, and it’s good to see confidence and belief high.”

Gloucestershire are next in action in the County T20 competition against Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire on 5th July.

Georgia Isaac reports from Harrogate CC

Yorkshire’s tight bowling and aggressive batting at Harrogate CC put an end to Middlesex’s unbeaten run this season, as the Meatballs suffered a 9-wicket defeat.

Yorkshire won the toss and, in overcast conditions, it was a good one to win. There was rain around, but it was good to see no overs were lost.

Middlesex were once again without Cath Dalton, who remains injured after hurting her ankle on the eve of the T20s last weekend. Sophia Dunkley and Natasha Miles opened for the visitors, but there was no repeat of last week’s heroics. With Katherine Brunt and Laura Spragg opening the bowling, Spragg took the first wicket in the 4th over as Dunkley was bowled for 7, unable to add many to her unbeaten tally of 91 runs from the previous two games.

Spragg and Brunt bowled six and seven overs respectively in their opening spells, with Brunt’s penultimate over being a wicket-maiden which saw the end of Tash Miles for l4.

Fran Wilson, who was in good form following her 55 in the recent EWA game against Loughborough MCCU, played fluently, sharing a partnership of 29 with Beth Morgan. Morgan also shared a solid stand of 39 runs with Izzy Westbury (33).

But wickets fell regularly, with Katie Levick (3-21) and Brunt (3-23) finishing with three wickets apiece, and Middlesex were all out for 176 after 40 overs – 10 short of the allotted number. On a good deck, this was some way short of a competitive total.

If Middlesex were to even entertain an away win they had to take early wickets. Danni Warren and Ria Raval opened the attack against the threatening right-hand/left-hand combination of Winfield and wicketkeeper Beth Mooney. After 10 overs Yorkshire were a sound 46-0, and Westbury was ringing the bowling changes in an attempt to find that elusive wicket.

Yorkshire gave no chances as both Winfield and Mooney reached half-centuries. They found the boundary with ease, including one six from Mooney, and continued to attack the bowling as they closed in on their target of 177. This resulted in the one positive for Middlesex from the innings: Alex Hartley’s dismissal of Mooney for 69, as she tried to secure another boundary but was caught on the fence by Anna Nicholls.

Winfield continued her fine form as she finished on 99 not out, having been unable to hit the required six to reach her century. This saw Yorkshire to a convincing 9-wicket win after just 30.4 overs.

After the match, Winfield – who averages well over 50 this season – said that she felt her innings was significant in the lead-up to the Ashes next month. “Today was important for me to go on past fifty and spend as much time at the crease as I can, and turn those starts into big scores. It’s important building up to the Ashes that we’re feeling confident.”

However, she stressed that “winning games for Yorkshire is very much what is important for me right now”.

From Middlesex’s perspective, it was a disappointing loss, made worse by the fact that Ria Raval had to leave the field after tearing her hamstring as she leaped for the ball. She is expected to be out for several weeks.

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

Both Kent and Sussex continued winning streaks this weekend in the fifth round of Championship matches, with comprehensive wins over Warwickshire and Nottinghamshire respectively.

Yorkshire also had a great weekend, beating Middlesex by 9 wickets and securing maximum bonus points, ending Middlesex’s unbeaten record this season.

It means that Kent now sit top of division 1 with an average of 16.4, with Yorkshire catapaulting themselves into 2nd place with an average of 14.

For Surrey, who beat Lancashire by 6 wickets, the star was Sarah Clarke, who took 4-11 to become Surrey’s all-time leading wicket-taker in the county championship (with 123 wickets to her name).

Meanwhile in Division 2, Staffordshire (with an average of 17.5) and Somerset (17.33) are well out in front, following victories yesterday against Wales and Essex respectively.

The next round of Championship matches will take place on 19th July, when all counties will be without their England players (who will be preparing for the start of the Ashes two days later). It will be interesting to see how they fare.

A full summary of the fifth round matches is below:

DIVISION 1

Warwickshire / Kent – Tammy Beaumont continued her excellent domestic form this season as she top-scored for Kent with 67, with her team eventually finishing on 209-8, the highest total of the weekend. Warwickshire then collapsed for 125 all out, as Megan Belt (3-20), Tash Farrant (3-23) and Laura Marsh (2-33) shared the wickets between them.

Lancashire / Surrey – Putting Lancashire in to bat proved to be a good decision by Surrey as Nat Sciver (5-27) and Sarah Clarke (4-11) wreaked havoc, bowling Lancs out for 78. Sciver (28) in conjunction with Susie Rowe (35) then took Surrey to a 6-wicket victory.

Sussex / Nottinghamshire – Holly Colvin’s 4-20, her best figures since returning to competitive cricket, saw Notts bowled out for 132 in 36 overs, with Jenny Gunn’s 39 their top score. Sussex easily chased down the runs in just 28.3 overs with Sarah Taylor (39) ably assisted by Georgia Elwiss (27) and Paige Scholfield (25). Full report here.

Yorkshire / Middlesex – Middlesex lost both openers early and despite a fightback by the middle-order, including 45 from Fran Wilson, they were bowled out in the 40th over for 176. Yorkshire then raced to the required total for the loss of only 1 wicket, with Lauren Winfield finishing on 99 not out! Full report by Georgia Isaac here.

DIVISION 2

Wales / Staffordshire – Lauren Parfitt (30), Gabby Basketter (28) and Naomi Davies (25) took Wales to a respectable 173-8 in their 50 overs, but Staffordshire chased down the target with 8 balls to spare thanks to an unbeaten 47* from Aussie Molly Strano.

Devon / Ireland – In a tight match, Ireland eventually emerged the winners by 7 runs. Batting first, Ireland had put 165 on the board, the highlight being an unbeaten half-century from Kim Garth. Devon began with a 66-run opening partnership between Amara Carr (33) and Aylish Cranstone (22), but after Laura Delany removed both openers they struggled to find runs. After a series of run outs, a direct hit from Robyn Lewis to run out Devon number 11 Lydia Clements saw them bowled out for 158 in the penultimate over.

Durham / Worcestershire – This proved to be the closest match of the weekend, as Durham finished up the eventual winners by just 2 runs. Worcestershire had bowled Durham out for 133 in 37.4 overs – Catherine Chapman top-scored with 31 – but then themselves struggled with the bat. At 89-8, it looked to be all over, but a late 44 from number 6 batsman Lauren Rowles took them to within touching distance of victory. However, she was eventually caught behind with Worcestershire still 3 runs short, and they were subsequently all out for 131.

Essex / Somerset – Somerset won by 29 runs despite having been bowled out for 101, including a remarkable 3-6 across 10 overs by Hannah Jeffrey. But Essex also batted poorly, with only Cordelia Griffith (22) making it to double figures, and were themselves all out for a mere 72 in 34.4 overs.

Sussex’s unbeaten streak continued this weekend as a Holly Colvin four-fer helped them see off Notts by 5 wickets at Billingshurst.

Having won the toss, Sussex captain Sarah Taylor opted to field on a windy morning with some swing in the air for opening bowlers Freya Davies and Izi Noakes, who led off with a pair of maidens.

Notts soon found themselves two down, as Georgie Boyce was run out without scoring and Sonia Odedra also departed cheaply, well caught by Georgia Elwiss at gully off Davies.

Danni Wyatt (36) and Jenny Gunn (39) got things back on track for Notts, but it was Colvin who then did the damage, taking 4/20 in a 10-over spell which saw off Wyatt and Gunn as well as Amy Gauvrit and Zoe Richards.

Aussie Erin Osborne also took 3/28, before Davies came back to finish Notts off in just the 36th over, with 132 on the board.

It didn’t look like a big total, and so it proved, as Sussex knocked off the runs in less than 30 overs: Sarah Taylor leading the way with 39, assisted by Elwiss (27) and Paige Scolfield (25).

On a positive note for Notts and England, Wyatt bowled well again – taking 2/36 in 10 overs, including the big wicket of Elwiss, who struggled to get the spinner off the square and was eventually bowled trying to hoik her through mid on. Jenny Gunn (2/18) also got into the wickets, before Osborne and Colvin wrapped things up for Sussex.

Speaking to CRICKETher after being awarded her Man of the Match champagne, Holly Colvin said:

“I’d like to take that wicket with me every week – it was very helpful and turned quite a lot.”

Referencing her comeback after a year out, she added:

“It’s more enjoyment for me this year, which is really making a difference – enjoyment brings confidence and it’s good to be in a winning team and taking wickets.”

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.