On a glorious sunny day at Exning just outside Newmarket, Hertfordshire (132/5) beat Cambridgeshire (105/8) by 27 runs in the first round of this year’s women’s T20 county cup on Sunday 26 April. In racing terms being close to the home of racing the more experienced Hertfordshire side were boxed in early by the young Cambridgeshire side’s bowling attack before gradually taking control and cantering home to the second round.
Cambridgeshire were hoping to enjoy another run in the FA Cup of women’s cricket, they reached the 3rd round last season before losing to Tier 2 side Kent at Fenner’s, but it wasn’t to be this season.
Cambridgeshire missing several regular players won the toss, elected to bowl and after taking a wicket in the first over via a run out mix up kept the visitors in check in the opening overs despite a powerful 30 off 32 balls by opening batter Cara Castleman. Opening bowler Ali Goodricke bowled a tight opening spell of 3 overs for 10 runs and along with Laura Robinson and off spin bowler Charlotte Aylmore restricted Hertfordshire to 41/2 after 8 overs. Goodricke looks a promising prospect, and her action reminded me of England’s Lauren Filer.
However, the course of the game was changed by a 71 run partnership between Hertfordshire skipper Kezia Hassall and Reese Nash 31(29). Cambridgeshire did drop two difficult chances during that stage but Hassall 52 (45) 8 4’s showed her experience in the middle overs and with Nash increased the tempo to set the young Cambridgeshire side a target that soon looked beyond them.
“I thought we started really well especially with the ball in the power play. We wanted to take another couple of wickets to get into their middle order a little bit earlier than we did. We put two chances down which were tough but suddenly that changes the game. There was a stage in the middle where we thought we could be probably chasing 100 and it just got away from us a little bit. Little opportunities missed, but plenty of positives with the ball and in the field” said Cambridgeshire Head coach Lee Smith.
Inside three overs Lillia Humphries and Elizabeth Clune had reduced the home side to 14/2. Humphries pace troubled the batters and only skipper Kelly Haynes stood out as wickets tumbled around her. Once Haynes was dismissed for 40 (37), in the 12th over, with the score on 66/5 any realistic chance of victory ended.
There was still time for a spirited 16 run partnership for the 8th wicket by 15 year old Katie Ronco and 14 year old Ellie Skeaping both making their full Cambridgeshire debuts before the innings ended.
Hertfordshire now go on to play Tier 2 side Middlesex away in Round 2 on Sunday 17 May for their shot at cup glory while the Cambridgeshire Head Coach Lee Smith (pictured with Sophia Pearson) was not too downhearted about missing out this year. “We’ll go again on Sunday against Cornwall with the ambition of winning two games and getting back in the hunt for top spot in the Vitality Blast group competition.”
On a personal level I had the pleasure of spending time with the parents of two 14 year old’s Ellie Skeaping and Devina Mehta (Hertfordshire) both making their debuts in senior women’s cricket. You could feel how much they were rooting for their daughters in the sunshine as they most probably reflected on how it all began for them when they first hit a ball in the garden. It’s the new magic of women’s cricket. Opportunity knocks now for young players which sadly was not the case a few years ago.
Player of the Match
Lilia Humphries – Hertfordshire CCC – A member of the Kent EPP the right arm fast bowler troubled batters with her pace, bounce, and movement. Together will her smooth run up she will definitely make a difference in Tier 3 this season.