Scorer Holly heads to ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
Shropshire-based scorer Holly Eccleston is looking forward to experiencing the atmosphere of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup this weekend.
Caitlin looking forward to T20 World Cup
It’s the start of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Edgbaston today with the Opening Ceremony and England taking on Sri Lanka.
With excitement building for the month-long tournament, we’ve been speaking to players who have come through the Shropshire pathway and have gone on to make their mark in the women’s game.
First up is opening bowler Caitlin Belcher who played for the Shropshire Age Group teams and also the Shropshire Women’s XI and is now part of the Gloucestershire Women’s squad.
She is looking forward to the tournament and believes it can provide a big boost for the Women and Girls’ game across the country.
Are you looking forward to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup – and are you planning to attend any games (where, when)?
I’m super excited for a home women’s World Cup! It will hopefully be huge for the growth of the women’s game. I will be attending the opening game at Edgbaston today.
What’s your cricket background and connection to Shropshire (pathway etc)?
I got into cricket through Chance to Shine at primary school and haven’t looked back since! I was scouted aged 10 for county and played for Shropshire for over 10 years, all the way through to the women’s XI.
What are your favourite memories of playing in/for Shropshire?
One of my most favourite memories playing for Shropshire was our two-day trip up to Cumbria and Northumberland to play their U15 girls side. A players vs parent game in the evening was why I stopped being a wicket keeper and am now an opening bowler!
Where are you playing now?
I currently play cricket for Gloucestershire Women in the tier 2 set up.
How have you seen the Women & Girls game grow in recent years?
The growth of the women and girl’s game has been huge. For women to be able to be full time professionals without playing international cricket is phenomenal.
What impact can you see the World Cup having on the game in Shropshire and beyond?
I hope the World Cup inspires young girls and boys to take up cricket in Shropshire.
Which players are you looking forward to seeing and why?
I’m most looking forward to seeing Lauren Bell as she’s been consistently taking wickets for England with the new ball. I think she will cause some problems for other team’s batters!
Who do you think will make the semi-finals?
I think England, New Zealand, India and Australia will be the four teams in the semi-finals.
Thanks to Caitlin for her time and good luck to her at Gloucestershire. Look out for more from our former and current Shropshire players during the tournament.
Affiliation package develops stronger links between club and schools
Delivering our Cricket Shropshire affiliation package with Worfield Cricket Club has once again proved a big boost to all involved.
Two clubs Catch the Women’s World Cup Spirit
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Shrewsbury School claim county U15s crown
Shrewsbury School claimed the ECB/ESCA Shropshire Under 15s crown with victory over Thomas Adams School from Wem.
MCC Boys U15s progress in national KO
Cricket Shropshire’s Under 15 Boys MCC side are through to the second round of the National Knockout after two contrasting wins.
They travelled to Moddershall CC where the Shrewsbury hub took on sides from Stoke and Wolverhampton. Their first opponents, Stoke, won an important toss and inserted Shrewsbury in bowler friendly conditions.
These conditions were exploited well by Stoke and the batting side found themselves in trouble early on at 15-3.
This brought together Fin Bradbury (27) and Will Reece together who stabilised the innings to take the score to 60-4.
Reece went onto to score 51 and with the help of Kavan Gulati (11 not out) took their side to a workable score of 120.
Stoke took command early on in their chase and at 66-1 off 11 overs were very much the favourites, but good fielding and bowling brought Shrewsbury back into it to leave Stoke needing 12 off the last over.
A wicket from first ball of that over and Shrewsbury were in the box seat but a dropped catch, scampered singles and a 6 left3 needed off the final ball!
A tense situation for all watching, playing and coaching but Toby Cantwell held his nerve to allow just a single leaving Shrewsbury winners by one run.
Next up were Wolverhampton. Shrewsbury upon winning the toss elected to bat and were soon into their stride on an ever-drying wicket.
Runs from Bobby Langton (64) Mark Coleham (31) and Bradbury again (41 not out) helped them to 173 off 20.
Wolves went about their task with gusto and at the halfway stage were ahead of the rate required but spin twins Danny Batkin and Gulati stifled the scoring to leave Shrewsbury the winners by a comfortable 30 runs.
Coach Darrell Corfield said: “It was a great determined display from Shrewsbury where they were challenged in all facets of the game which made it equally pleasing to come out on top.”
The two wins mean Shrewsbury progress to the second round which will take place next month at Kenilworth Wardens CC in Warwickshire.
All systems go for new U17s County Cup
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Opening fireworks sees D40 side to victory
Some superb batting saw from openers Adam Marshall and Cally Rigby saw Cricket Shropshire’s Disability D40 side beat Lancashire IIs by eight wickets at Calverhall CC.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first on a cold and blustery day and finished their 40 overs on 228-4.
The wicket takers were Olly Harrison (1-37), Marshall (1-48), Adam James (1-45) and Charlie Vickers making his first appearance of the season (1-33).
Cricket Shropshire were boosted by fielding a full squad with the help of two S9 players after playing their last two games with 10 due to availability issues
Coach Graham Furber said: “With rain always threatening, skipper Adam Marshall decided that we should try and get ahead of the run rate just in case the game was curtailed, and so decided to open with himself and Cally Rigby – and boy did it produce fireworks.
“Adam took 25 off the first over of the reply and by the time Cally retired on 76 (Adam having previously retired on 75 from just 39 balls), we had reached 180-0.”
Adam James then added a careful 15, and when he was dismissed wicketkeeper Rab Cooper (24 not out) and Damon Morris (11 not out) saw Shropshire home for a memorable victory in 29.2 overs.
Graham added: “Our grateful thanks to Mark Rowe, Oliver Griffiths and all at Calvwrhall Cricket Club for their always excellent hospitality when hosting our games.
“Our next match is the away return game against today’s opponents in a fortnight. We know we are currently struggling for a side but hopefully we can fulfill the fixture.”
“Sincerest thanks also to our wonderfully generous sponsors NBC and Hampton Industrial Consulting who are pictured with the squad.”
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More than a hundred primary school pupils from across Telford & Wrekin came together for a day of fun at the Year 5/6 Kwik Cricket competition.
Chance to Shine U13 Girls County Finals
Frankwell Cricket Club welcomed some of Shropshire’s most talented young cricketers yesterday as nine schools competed in the Chance to Shine U13 Girls County Finals.