Ria Fackrell led Bears Women to a double-header delight at Uppingham School.
The all-rounder struck 75 from just 33 balls (14 fours, one six) in a 122 run win over Norfolk, before adding a 5-fer and hat-trick as the Bears dismissed Leicestershire by 83 runs.
It was impressive display from the Bears who remain undefeated from their six games so far, giving them a strong chance of qualification with two games to play.
Facing Norfolk first, Fackrell’s clean striking lead to a mammoth 216 for four after being put in by the East Anglian side. A big ask for any side, Captain Anisha Patel took four for 16 as Norfolk couldn’t get close to an impressive showing with the bat.
Straight into the second half of the double-header, Patel opted to bat first against the Foxes, with multiple contributions edging the Bears to 147 for six.
Leicestershire captain Rebecca Brooker offered solid resistance (21 off 20) at the top of the order, but the batting side were bamboozled as Fackrell (five for 11) and Ellie Phillips (four for 14) ripped through the line-up.
Bears face bottom side Huntingdonshire and second-bottom Northants in another double-header to close out their group stage on 11 August.
Team v Norfolk and Leicestershire: Beth Charnell, Liz Russell, Gwenan Davies, Laura Smitten, Ria Fackrell, Natasha Smitten (wk), Mariam Khan, Laura Crofts, Samadhi Samarakoon, Ellie Phillips, Holly Whitfield, Anisha Patel (C).
Over 13,500 tickets sold for T20 quarter-final
For a third year in a row, Bears have secured a home Vitality Blast quarter-final against Gloucestershire on Friday 6 September. And tickets are going fast!
Over 13,500 tickets have already been sold. Adults tickets are available for only £20, if purchased in advance, while U16s are £5.
