Warwickshire Women got their T20 campaign off to the perfect start with comfortable wins against Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire in a double header at Portland Road.
Overnight rain meant a delayed start on Sunday (16 June) and a truncated 10-over shootout against Lincolnshire Women in the day’s opening game.
Warwickshire quickly made up for lost time, reducing the visitors to 11/3 with captain Anisha Patel taking wickets with consecutive balls.
Some tight bowling restricted Lincs to 36/4 and Warwickshire openers Mariam Khan and Beth Charnell chased down the target in 5.3 overs.
Warwickshire lost Natasha Smitten early in their second match against Cambridgeshire Women.
Older sister Laura Smitten came in at three and contributed towards a solid partnership with Khan as the pair added 59 runs off 55 balls.
Khan eventually fell for 31 (28 balls) but Smitten went on to make an unbeaten half century (55 off 60) as the hosts closed on 131.
Central Sparks’ Emerging Player Programme youngster Holly Whitfield claimed an early wicket as Cambridgeshire reached 21/1 after four overs.
Ellie Phillips struck twice in two overs (two wickets for six runs), before a stunning set of deliveries from Porter saw her claim two for 13.
Patel (2-14 from four overs) added to the visitors’ woes with her third and fourth wickets of the day as Cambridgeshire closed on 93/8 to complete a 38-run win for Warwickshire.
Warwickshire captain Anisha Patel said: “We said as a team, just to nail the basics – hit really good areas, get our bowlers to set clear plans and try and execute them for as long as possible.
“With the bat, Mariam Khan timed the ball nicely, hit the ball over the top and it was a comfortable chase in the end.”
Warwickshire Women are next in action against Gloucestershire Women in a 50-over contest at Portland Road on Sunday 30 June. It’s free to watch so pop along and show your support.
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