A star is born as Worcestershire’s youth policy is rewarded

It felt like an “I was there” moment. On the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, as Bryan Adams’ “Summer of ‘69” echoed round New Road, just as it did at the JFK Stadium in Philadelphia all those years ago, “When I look back now, those Summers seemed to last forever… those were the best days of my life” we witnessed Caitlin Baker-Smith, 15 year old school pupil from Halesowen very much living her best life on her senior début for Worcestershire Rapids. 

Photo Credit: Worcestershire CCC

Called up from the Academy only in the last 48 hours, there were no signs of nerves as she came in to bowl the seventh over of the innings with Leicestershire on 36/3. Her first delivery in senior cricket – a full toss – was driven forcibly back at her by Lucy Weston. It was expertly pouched by the teenager, who was immediately mobbed by her delighted team mates. There was more to come in the same over, as Ellen Watson could not resist chasing a ball outside off stump and edged behind to the grateful gloves of Liv Gough. As first overs of a début go, it was not at all bad: two wickets taken, only four runs conceded. 

Baker-Smith’s début was just one element of Worcestershire’s demolition of a much-fancied Leicestershire team, who sit well above the Rapids in the Vitality Women’s T20 Division 2 North table. Veteran campaigner and captain Clare Boycott, twice the age of her team mate, took 4 wickets for 9 runs from one end whilst Baker-Smith ended up taking 3 wickets for 7 runs at the other.

On a glorious July Sunday morning in Worcester, as the bells of the Cathedral chimed, conditions seemed to be set fair for a batting-fest. But the skilful pace-off bowling of Worcestershire and the anxiety-fuelled impatience of Leicestershire to move the score quickly and take a step towards finals day conspired to make this game as one sided as you could imagine.

Leicestershire’s innings was all over after just 83 balls, with a wholly inadequate 55 all out on the scoreboard. Francesca Sweet and Ellen Watson managed to score in double figures, but no other batting performance merits a mention.

In reply, Worcestershire’s opening pair of Boycott and Ebony Tweets patiently accumulated 47 in the first 9 overs. Boycott will be annoyed to not have been there at the end, hitting three boundaries on her way to 30 runs before being bowled by Lucy Weston with the finishing line in view. It was left to another “veteran”, fellow 31 year old, Gwen Davies to launch the winning runs over mid on in the 11th over to give Worcestershire a much deserved win.

This game was a showcase of all that is good about Tier 2 cricket. Experienced county players who have dropped out of the professional game playing alongside, mentoring, encouraging and sharing a great victory with promising youngsters. This season has not been a smooth journey for Worcestershire, but today was one of the good days for them and for nobody more than Caitlin Baker-Smith. Remember the name!