As the countdown begins to Saturday’s Finals Day at the County Ground, Northampton, Yorkshire Women captain Maddie Ward says her team-mates are fully focused on the task ahead after securing a perfect eight wins from eight matches in their North Group campaign.
“It’s been a brilliant competition for us,” says Ward. “Eight from eight is a big thing to achieve – it’s difficult at any level of cricket – so we’ve loved it so far. Hopefully we can top it off at the weekend.”
She adds: “When we got to six from six, we started to think there was no reason why we couldn’t go for all eight. We didn’t want to get complacent, so it was definitely a statement for us to finish unbeaten.”
Ten counties have been competing in Vitality Blast Women League 2 in its first year as part of a revamped domestic women’s structure, aimed at fuelling the growth of professional women’s cricket, with four teams making it through to Finals Day. The new structure, with Professional and National Counties competing in three tiers of competition, has replaced the previous system of regional teams.
On Saturday, Yorkshire will first have to overcome Glamorgan Women if they are to secure a place in the evening final against either Middlesex or Leicestershire. But Ward believes the entire Yorkshire squad has been energised by the new competition.
“When it was regional cricket, it didn’t really have that ‘Vitality Blast’ feel to it, so I think it’s been fantastic this year. It’s been good to have the opportunity to play at bigger stadiums, especially for the young girls playing Tier 2 cricket.”
Yorkshire racked up two away victories last week, against Worcestershire Rapids and Leicestershire Foxes – but Ward insists there is still plenty of room for improvement.
“We had a bit of a chat as a team, and we agreed we didn’t play our best cricket against Leicestershire,” she says. “We know we were a bit below par in certain aspects. But getting the win was great and shows how much talent we’ve got. We’ve still got a lot more in the tank.”
And with match-winners like Georgie Boyce and Claudie Cooper in Yorkshire’s ranks, Ward knows her side is capable of success.
“We know form is on our side, but we’re definitely not taking anything for granted,” she says. “Anything can happen on a Finals Day. We need to stay level as a group and get the job done.”
Middlesex Women captain Saskia Horley is one of those determined to stop Yorkshire achieving 10 wins from 10 matches in the new-look competition.
Her side face Leicestershire Women in the opening semi-final, having lost just one of their eight matches in South Group.
“It’s been quite successful for us,” she says, “but we’ve definitely been tested. The South Group has been very competitive.”
She adds: “Unity is the big thing for me. At the start of the season, I said I wanted us to compete in every game – and we’ve done that. But now it’s about trying to stay as level-headed as we can.
“We talk in the group about being in the ‘purple zone’, where we’ve got the passion and desire to compete while as staying as cool, calm, and collected as we can. I want the girls to take full advantage of this opportunity and for us to show our best cricket.”
Middlesex trio Issy Routledge, Finty Trussler, and Gayatri Gole have all caught the eye this year. But the depth of talent across the squad is what gives Horley most hope going into the weekend.
“We’re always confident in our ability,” she says. “I’ve got full confidence we can take home the trophy.”
Vitality Blast Women’s Finals Day for the fully professional top tier of women’s domestic cricket will take place this Sunday at the Kia Oval.
Lead photo credit Allan McKenzie @ SWPix