Sophia Mitchell expressed the feelings of disappointment within the Worcestershire Women’s Rapids camp after Sunday’s Vitality Blast T20 loss to Derbyshire Falcons.
After a bright start away at Leicestershire Foxes on the opening day, successive defeats at home to Northants Steelbacks and the Falcons has stalled the Rapids early season T20 charge.
A disciplined Derbyshire bowling display made life tough for the hosts, who struggled to knit together partnerships and score at a consistent rate, making 109-9 after their allotted 20 overs, which the away side knocked off with seven-wickets in hand.
Five batters made scores of 15 or more, but a high score of 21 meant the Rapids lacked any substance to their innings, losing wickets at crucial stages throughout.
Mitchell explained the frustration within the group after Sunday’s performance.
“The mood is down. There is a lot we feel like we didn’t show out there.
“We know how we want to play our T20 cricket, and today we simply didn’t show it.
“We spoke after last week about losing less wickets in the powerplay but still being aggressive, and although we didn’t lose those wickets today, we weren’t as aggressive as we could have been.
“Then we felt on top early with the ball, like we had them under pressure, we just didn’t capitalise.
Mitchell, added to the squad on a season-long-loan by Ed Wilson during the winter, has shown glimpses of her potential in the last two matches from the middle order.
Top-scoring in both of the previous fixtures for her side, the youngster has fought valiantly to dig Worcestershire out of precarious scenario’s, displaying great composure and cricket IQ.
Playing with caution early on before looking to cut loose, Mitchell has impressed.
After Ebony-Jade Tweats showed the importance of an anchor during a run chase, Mitchell is unsatisfied with her encouraging starts, vowing to kick on ahead of this Friday’s Blast encounter away at Kent Spitfires.
“For me, getting to 20/30 twice in a row now is frustrating, especially when you get out hitting one back to the bowler.
“I was seeing it well, knowing my strengths to the legside and down the ground, I tried to open those areas more and be more aggressive.
“We all want to showcase our skills, but we have the chance to put that right next week.”
