Down at sunny Wokingham CC, skipper Marie Kelly won the toss and elected to bat.
Warwickshire got off to a good run rate, despite losing Amy Jones early on to Lauren Bell for 1. That brought Australian import Anna Lanning to the crease who then developed a number of partnerships along the way to a stylish 54, striking boundaries either side of the wicket. With Warwickshire now on 117-5 after 30 overs, the next stage of the game was crucial to Warwickshire’s victory.
Wickets continued to fall but Laura Crofts and Rebecca Grundy saved the day and struck a brilliant partnership, with Crofts scoring freely to 47 and Grundy adding a quick-fire 20 off 19 balls to up Warwickshire’s tempo. With both Crofts and Grundy out, Warwickshire made it to 200 runs on the last ball, meaning they had regained full batting points.
Berkshire got off to a solid start and Warwickshire were unfortunate to miss out on a few early wicket opportunities. Heather Knight and Linsey Smith developed a partnership of 97 for the first wicket as Smith was bowled by Davis for 40. Drinks came and Berkshire looked settled at 100-1 off 25. However with Warwickshire’s strength in depth of their bowling attack, coupled with scoreboard pressure, they knew that the game was still there to be won.
Berkshire’s middle order then started to crack with Sherisha Gumbs being the only batter from there on to reach double figures with 16. Georgia Hennessy was the pick of the bowlers for Warwickshire with a game changing spell of 4-32 of 10 overs. Warwickshire’s backs were still against the wall, with Berkshire only needing 4 an over off the last 10 but they fought hard and remained in control. Opener Heather Knight batted superbly but with no one sticking around with her, all the pressure was on her to score the runs. Kayleigh Best came on to bowl the 49th and removed Knight lbw to end the game and seal Warwickshire’s victory!
A true team performance means Warwickshire are the only unbeaten team in the league and sit top of the table.
Player of the Match: Anna Lanning
Bear of the Match: Georgia Hennessy
ECB Women’s County Championship – Division 1 League Table
Next game: Surrey (A) on the 29th May 2016
