There’s something quite exciting about the first cricket game of the season. In the case of many women’s cricket fans, it’s the process of dusting off the camping chairs, packing plenty of blankets and travelling to some weird and wonderful places to watch the Women’s T20 County Championships. Despite it’s someone “village” nature by location, the quality of cricket and talent on display does not carry the same label. To start the summer, Marie Kelly of Warwickshire hit 50 from 15 balls against Gloucestershire at Thornbury CC, Bristol, the fastest women’s T20 half-century. Earlier in the day she had hit 99, leading her side to an 120 run victory.
The summer came into full swing with the commencing of the Charlotte Edwards Cup on the 14th May. Southern Vipers, South East Stars and Central Sparks all made finals day in Northampton on what became a beautiful, sunny day for cricket. Vipers were triumphant over the Sparks — notably, Vipers coach, Charlotte Edwards lifted her own trophy! I don’t think many people can say that. England and Central Sparks wicket-keeper topped the run tables, culminating 289 runs across the tournament, meanwhile Northern Diamonds leg-spinner, Katie Levick was leading wicket-taker with 15, despite not making finals day.
The attention turned to international fixtures at the end of June starting with the Test Match between England and South Africa at Taunton. This was South Africa’s first Test Match since 2014, their first against England since 2003 — I wasn’t even born then! Although there were many rain delays and an uncountable amount of warm-ups for the players, there were plenty of notable performances by both sides. Marizanne Kapp shone for South Africa scoring 150 in the first innings and 43* in the second. Vice-captain, Nat Sciver excelled for England scoring 169*, assisted by Alice Davidson-Richards on Test debut scoring 107. There were also Test debuts for batter Emma Lamb and bowlers, Issy Wong and Lauren Bell who all contributed to the game. Alas, as the rain kept pouring and more time was lost, the teams — yet again — had to settle for a draw.
A crumbling South African side then faced England in 3 ODIs followed by 3 T20s in preparation for the Commonwealth Games. The cracks in the Proteas Women’s side were clear and England won all 6 games leaving many asking questions about the shambolic performances by South Africa and perhaps an over-confident England side. Emma Lamb solidified herself as an opening batter for England scoring her maiden century in the first ODI at Northampton and the T20 brought real change to England’s usual XI. Teenagers Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp both made their England debuts, Bryony Smith being brought back into the England side, four years after making her debut. Tammy Beaumont, someone who was usually one of the first names on the team sheet, was left out of the side meaning that she would not compete in the Commonwealth Games.
The Commonwealth Games came to Birmingham at the peak of the summer, displaying women’s cricket for the first time. Recent figures published shows that 173,000 tickets were sold for Edgbaston during CWG22, with 16 matches which averages at 10,812 tickets sold per game — remarkable growth and interest for the sport. England’s inexperienced side failed to medal, an extremely disappointing result for the home side. As expected Australia took home gold, beating India in the final leaving India with silver medals for the third time in 5 years. New Zealand surprised us taking bronze who also opted for a younger and less experienced side without the likes of recently retired Katey Martin and Amy Satterthwaite. England clearly missed captain Heather Knight who was unable to play due to a hip injury leaving the captaincy to Nat Sciver.
The heartbreak of the Commonwealth Games didn’t loom as we then launched straight into the Hundred for it’s second year. Overseas starts Laura Wolvaardt, Suzie Bates and AJ Wellington performed remarkably but this year it was also the domestic players that shone. Lauren Winfield-Hill made the move to Oval Invincibles, proving vital as an opening batter there and creating key partnerships with New Zealand’s Suzie Bates. Emily Arlott of Birmingham Phoenix excelled with the ball, making her case for England selection but it was injury replacement and late call-up to the Invincibles, Sophia Smale who was the talk of the tournament. The 17 year old only made her senior debut for Western Storm in May but made the most of her Hundred call up, taking the wicket of Australian legend, Alyssa Healy with her second delivery of the tournament. The Oval Invincibles remained invincible, yet again beating Southern Brave in the final at Lords.
September brought the final international series of the summer which started with a chilly T20 against India up in Durham. England secured the T20 series win but India fought back and won the ODI series 3–0. The final ODI was hosted at Lords, the first time England women have played at Lords since the 2017 World Cup Final where they faced India. It ended in tears but it was an incredible day to conclude the international summer. England were missing key players in Nat Sciver, Katherine Brunt and Heather Knight, placing the captaincy on Amy Jones who has only previously captain Birmingham Phoenix in the first edition in the Hundred. the England side did at many points looked fatigued and emotionally and physically exhausted by the summer.
The domestic women’s cricket scene wrapped up at Lords the following day where the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Final was held between defending champions, Southern Vipers and serial chokers, Northern Diamonds. The Diamonds secured their first trophy in a game which went down the final ball and it was all over, the summer had finished.
The stories from the summer are something I anticipate every year. This summer didn’t fall short of my expectations and there were some amazing players who’s shone and had their stories told. Firstly, Lauren Winfield-Hill. England’s opening batter dropped in the middle of the World Cup. Her comeback this summer in the domestic scene was nothing short of incredible top scoring with 96 in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, 125 in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Northern Diamonds captain, Hollie Armitage led from the front scoring 343, averaging 68 and top scoring with 131. Not only did she perform with the bat but her bowling was impressive taking 11 wickets at an average of 15.2. Emily Windsor hit the winning runs for Southern Vipers and Oval Invincibles a few times this season and averaged 57.6 from 8 innings. She’s been left out the Vipers side a few times but her performances made her seemingly undroppable. Linsey Smith of Northern Diamonds took 13 wickets at an average of 18.07 and made a statement for England selection. Grace Scrivens carried Sunrisers, scoring 4 half-centuries in 6 Rachael Heyhoe Flint games and took 13 wickets at 14.7. Alice Capsey performed wherever she went and made a statement in the Commonwealth Games being England’s leading run scorer.
It’s been a crazy summer, probably the busiest one yet but that doesn’t stop us being excited already for 2023.
Comments