Bears Women register three consecutive wins in warm-up matches

Bears Women got off to an ideal start ahead of their debut season with three victories in their first three warm-up games, beating Durham, The Blaze and Somerset.

Their final warm-up scheduled for Friday 18 April at Portland Road against Lancashire.

Bears Women vs Durham – April 10

In the Bears’ first game, Katie George led the side in the absence of Georgia Davis, and they were put into field first. Opening the bowling were Hannah Hardwick and Amu Surenkumar, who both picked up a wicket apiece with well-directed yorkers. However, with two wickets, Chloe Brewer and Millie Taylor were the pick of the Bears bowlers. Durham were eventually skittled for 221-8.

In reply, Bears’ new overseas signing Sterre Kalis opened the batting with experienced batter Abbey Freeborn. They cultivated an opening partnership of 109 runs before both retiring not out (Freeborn 45*, Kalis 50*). Chloe Brewer and academy player Sophie Beech both scored 29 runs, with Brewer seeing out the end of the game as the Bears cruised to the total in 36.4 overs, winning by two wickets.

Brewer – 2/19 from 6 overs
Taylor – 2/56 from 10 overs
Freeborn – 45 from 56 balls
Kalis – 50 from 46 balls

Click here to view scorecard and watch clips from the friendly.

Bears Women vs The Blaze – April 11

The second game was about changes, with a change in the line-up, a change of opposition and a change of captain as Nat Wraith took the lead on the field.

The Blaze, having won their Abu Dhabi series in March, had time in the middle on their side. They brought with them some of their most highly skilled players, such as Tammy Beaumont, Georgie Boyce, Marie Kelly, Josie Groves and Grace Ballinger, to name a few.

Bears Women were once again asked to field first, with England’s Tammy Beaumont and experienced Georgie Boyce opening the batting. Although wickets fell consistently, Beaumont showed her experience, scoring 98 runs in 81 balls before being caught out by Surenkumar off the bowling of academy player Ellesmore. As it was a warm-up match, some batters returned to the crease having been out, to get a full 50 overs batting in. Meaning The Blaze finished on 283-14.

Kalis opened the batting once more, this time with Meg Austin. Although Austin was quick off the mark, she fell early on, with the rest of the top order following in the same vein. However, Kalis pushed on and made it to the 50 mark, claiming her second Bears half-century in as many games, before losing her wicket in the 27th over. Bears Women followed the same trend as The Blaze, with Em Arlott coming in for a second innings and crunching 71 off 50 balls. It all came down to the last over. Tennakoon, a Bears academy player, helped secure the win when she flicked the ball down to fine leg off the penultimate ball to secure victory.

Bowling
Kelvyn – 3/19 from 4.5 overs
Gillgrass – 3/72 from 10 overs
Ellsmore – 3/39 from 5 overs

Batting
Arlott – 71 runs in 50 balls
Kalis – 59 from 64 balls

Click here to view scorecard and watch clips from the friendly.

Bears vs Somerset – April 14

Finally, Bears Women hosted Somerset at Edgbaston. Following an uncontested toss, the Bears went into bat for the 1st innings, with the previously successful pair, Kalis and Freeborn, opening up. Although Freeborn fell early, Kalis carried on her excellent form and formed excellent partnerships.

One with Brewer (56), and another with Katie George. The pair put on 67 together before Kalis was dismissed just one run away from her third consecutive 50. From there, Katie George led the way, building partnerships and managing the run rate to keep it ticking consistently over 6 per over.

However, all good things must come to an end, as miscommunication led to George slipping over and being run out for a brilliant 81 from 85 balls. With nine overs still remaining, Millie Taylor proved a calm head as she tallied up a useful 33 runs and Abbey Freeborn, on her second trip to the crease, struck 29 runs from 20 balls, propelling the Bears to 317/9.

The ball was handed to Hardwick and Arlott to open the bowling. Somerset started on par with the Bears, however, Arlott bowled Emma Corney on the third ball of her third over, and from there, the Bears started their attack. Somerset were 52/2 off 10 overs when Hannah Baker came into the attack. She spun her way to a brilliant 5fer, finishing with figures of 6/47 from 9.5 overs.

Between them, the rest of the Bears bowlers chipped away at the Somerset line-up, and despite them sending batters back in to gain that extra time at the crease, Bears eventually wrapped up the game, winning by 40 runs.

Bowling
Hannah Baker – 6/47 from 9.5 overs.
Millie Taylor – 2/19 from 5 overs.

Batting
Katie George – 81 runs from 85 balls.
Sterre Kalis – 49 from 57 balls.

Click here to view scorecard and watch clips from the friendly.

Next Up

The Bears will welcome Lancashire to Portland Road in their fourth and final warm-up game tomorrow (Friday 18). Lancashire faced Durham Women on the 14th of April and won by 27 runs, with Alice Clarke scoring 59 runs and Emma Lamb taking a 3-wicket haul.

Lancashire have a strong side, even with stand-out players such as Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone and Mahika Gaur yet to feature, they have included players in the warm-ups with international U19 and England A credentials.

Although the warm-up game against the Bears probably won’t feature all of these key players, it shows the strength that they may face in the upcoming season. However, the Bears themselves will be walking into the warm-up confident with the stats to back it up.

Even with some of our experienced players missing, the likes of Georgia Davis, Issy Wong, Charis Pavely and Davina Perrin, the side has showcased their skill and talent.