Abbey Freeborn is hoping to contribute to what would be an important win as the Warwickshire Bears Women take on in-form Hampshire in the Metro Bank One Day Cup on Wednesday 24 June.
The Bears had won three games in a row in the 50-over competition prior to last week’s seven-wicket defeat against Somerset, and will be looking to bounce back against a Hampshire side that have won four of their last five one day games.
Freeborn, who top-scored with 79 not out in Warwickshire’s victory in the Vitality T20 County Cup on Sunday, is confident the Bears will be up to the task at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton.
“We’re really looking forward to it,” she said. “This part of the season brings its different challenges, going from T20 to 50-over cricket and then back to the T20s, so it’s a good test for us.
“We are doing well in 50-over cricket and we’re confident, so we’re really looking forward to the challenge.
“At this point in the season, every game is vital to us, especially playing Hampshire, who are also towards the top of the table.”
The Bears currently sit fourth in the table, while Hampshire have climbed to second place following an impressive string of results.
In their last outing, Hampshire chased 245 without losing a wicket against Essex, with Ella McCaughan and Maia Bouchier – two of the leading run scorers in the competition – both scoring unbeaten centuries to see them over the line.
Freeborn is well-aware of the threat Hampshire pose but is confident in both the batting and bowling capabilities of the Bears.
“They have a lot of batters that are in form at the moment, especially a few at the top order, so it’ll be tough,” she added. “Our bowlers are bowling well though so I think we’ll be okay.
“From a batting point of view, our batters are in good form too, and we have a lot of people contributing big scores which we haven’t had in recent years, so that’s exciting for us.
“It’s an important match and it could be an important win for us, so we need to put everything into it.”
Play gets under way between Warwickshire Bears and Hampshire at 10:30am on Wednesday 24 June at the Utilita Bowl in Southampton.