Women’s XI start with big win
Kate Brazier led the way with both bat and ball as Shropshire claimed an ultimately comfortable victory over Cumbria in their opening game in the Metro Bank One Day Cup Division 2 North fixture.
First, she combined with Alex Hale in an 109-run partnership to help Shropshire set a competitive total after they were put into bat at Whitchurch CC’s Heath Road.
Then she led the bowling attack with a three-wicket burst from which the visitors never recovered as Shropshire won by 154 runs.
Opener Robyn Mathews hit 30 at the top of the order and Aamna Khan 27 in the Shropshire innings, but the hosts were in some trouble themselves at 108-6 when Kate joined Alex in the middle after 30 overs (the pair pictured below).
Alex finished unbeaten on 55 off 61 balls, and Kate hit 51 before she was run out with just two balls left in the innings to see Shropshire to 218-7 off their 50 overs.
Kate then bowled her ten overs straight through claiming 3-16, with Freya Jones (1-9 from six overs) also keeping the scoring in check at the top of the innings.
Amy Griffiths (3-24) and Millie Parry (3-9) then took up the attack and ensured Cumbria never got a look in as they were bowled out for 64 in the 25th over to give Shropshire their big win.
Coach Sam Whitney said: “We battled really hard at the start. There was no pace on the ball to work with, so Robyn and Aamna had to be watchful early on and their partnership set us up so Alex and Kate could play so freely.
“Halfway, I asked us to field and bowl better than them, and we did that. We bowled straight and gave them no freebies.
“We have strength in depth this season, and if we can get the core of eight or nine players out each game I think we can be successful.”
Huge thanks to everyone at Whitchurch CC for hosting the game.
The girls are back in action on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5, when they host Norfolk at Allscott Heath CC.
It is part of the ECB’s new ‘FA Cup style’ Knockout Cup (T20) which will see teams from all three Tiers in the revamped women’s game entered.
Thanks to Shrewsbury-based DY USA for their continued support of Shropshire’s Women’s XI. The team played in the new kit provided by support given to the Board by DY USA.