Women’s XI bow out of T20 cup
Cricket Shropshire’s Women’s XI were left to reflect on what might have been as they bowed out of the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup after defeat by Northamptonshire.
They had beaten Norfolk to progress to second round of the ECB’s new competition dubbed the FA Cup of Women’s cricket – and hopes were high they could make further progress.
That was certainly true after skipper Lara Jones won the toss at Wem CC’s Soulton Road and asked the visitors to bat first.
They were in trouble at 50-6 in the 11th over with Amy Griffiths leading the charge with 3-17 from her four overs and Isabelle Crann and Esther Hurford also picking up wickets.
But Northamptonshire then rallied with the bat and the visitors finished their 20 overs on 137-6.
The Shropshire reply never really got going as only wicket-keeper Ava Clive got to grips with the Northampton attack, hitting 36 odd 38 balls before she was dismissed.
Shropshire were bowled out for 66 as Northants progressed to the next round.
Coach Sam Whitney said: “It really was a case of what might have been. It was a great opportunity to take a big scalp, but their two batters batted really well. We didn’t put the ball in the right areas enough in the last ten overs, and once the pair were in, they were comfortable.
“A total of 130-plus was always going to be a good score, but you don’t chase that down when you are 20-4. Northants showed their class with the ball and in the field. They gave us no freebies and they built pressure which meant we had to go for the big shots which was ultimately our downfall.
“It was Ava’s first game of the season and she batted beautifully. We just needed someone to stick around with her and build a partnership.”