Match Details Northants Steelbacks
Vitality T20 Blast: Northants Steelbacks v Worcestershire Rapids Women
Venue: The County Ground, Northampton
Date: Sunday 6th July
Scheduled start time: 11am
Worcestershire Rapids Women continue their T20 Blast campaign with a trip to face familiar foes Northants Steelbacks on Sunday, as the sides clash for a fourth time this season.
Following on from a 29-run win over Derbyshire Falcons, the Rapids will be looking to harness the momentum gathered in their first T20 win of the season and make it back-to-back victories in the Women’s Vitality Blast League 2 table, as their late charge for qualification goes on.
Last Time Out
Worcestershire Women’s Rapids produced their best performance of the season as they swept aside Derbyshire Falcons by 29-runs on Saturday.
The Rapids’ batting unit fired on all cylinders as they posted a 187-6, anchored by a sensational 46-ball-69 from Ruby Davis.
In reply, the visitors were restricted to 158 all-out, as youngster Bryony Gillgrass stole the headlines with a magical spell of 5-19 that included five of the top-six batters.
The vital win provides the Rapids with some crucial momentum, having previously sat at the foot of the Women’s Vitality Blast League 2 North table
Inside The Camp
Bryony Gillgrass is confident her side can continue their positive form as they head into Sunday’s clash with some crucial wining momentum
After blazing a quick fire 40 in her side’s win over Derbyshire last week, the all-rounder is in some fine form.
Gillgrass starred with the ball, taking a fifer, while also forming a valuable partnership with Ruby Davis in the middle, as the Rapids broke the shackles and earned their first win of the T20 campaign.
According to the youngster, a clear plan and simple processes made the difference in both her performance and the team environment.
“Going into the Derby game we put a real emphasis on trying to be brave with the bat and dominate as much of the innings as we could.
“My plan was to be creative and run hard, so when we were going well it helped to build a good partnership.
“The team was very happy after the game because after a run of falling short with our performances, everyone put in a brilliant shift to bring about a great win.
A week on from the win, Gillgrass will be looking to continue her eye-catching individual form, having struck seven-fours in her 29-ball stay at the crease, that epitomised the sort of innings the Rapids have been missing for large parts of this season.
After a run of under-par scores, her side blew Derbyshire out of the water, as they amassed an imposing 187-6 in their innings, giving the bowlers a chance to defend a sizeable total.
Gillgrass says that sticking to what they know and maintaining consistency is key for her side’s chances of winning successive matches and beating the Steelbacks on Sunday.
“Nothing has changed this week in terms of prep – we are all still working hard to show consistency and bring home another win.
“We will be looking to approach Sunday with the same fearless attitude.
“I think now we have proved we can do it, we will be looking to go again for back to back wins that would really energise this girls.”
The Opposition
Northants Steelbacks Women
The hosts have the superior record of the three clashes between the two sides so far this campaign, winning all three of those previous encounters.
One place above Worcestershire in the Women’s Vitality Blast League 2 table, Northants, like their opponents, well in the hunt for a qualification place with three games to play.
After losing to table toppers Yorkshire last time out, the Steelbacks will not need reminding the importance of Sunday’s fixture.
Ella Phillips starred with the ball as she took four-wickets in a losing cause, while the Rapids will be all to aware of the threat posed by batter Michaela Kirk, who top scored with 35 for her side during the same contest.
The squad vs Northants Steelbacks
