Pavely feeling positive as Bears prepare for One Day Cup return against Lancashire
Charis Pavely says the return of the Metro Bank One Day Cup has come at the right time for Warwickshire Bears Women, as they prepare to take on Lancashire at Portland Road this weekend.
Play gets under way at 10:30am on Saturday, with the Bears looking to pick up where they left off in the competition, prior to the three-week Vitality Blast break.
The Bears entered the break having secured back-to-back wins, with the first of those coming in a four-wicket win against this week’s opponents.
Pavely made a blistering start to the One Day campaign, registering two 100s and three 50s in eight matches, and is currently the leading run-scorer in the competition.
The 21-year-old is looking forward to the return of 50-over cricket and to build on the 466 runs she’s scored to date.
“It’s come at the right time for us to be honest, having that break from the T20s now and shifting our focus back to the 50-over competition,” she said.
“I’m usually known for my T20 stuff, so it’s nice to contribute in the longer format this year.
“For me it was about knowing that I have that more senior position in the team and that the team need me to bat time. Batting quickly isn’t as much of a focus.
“If I can just get myself in, I know the runs will come. Keeping my concentration and keeping the scoreboard ticking is what’s really helped me this year.”
Pavely’s performances at the start of the One Day Cup saw her earn a call-up to the England squad for their One Day International series against New Zealand last month.
“The England girls are a really good group and I enjoy learning off them,” she added. “It’s pleasing that my performances were recognised and it shows that the system is working.
“It’s nice to know that if you do the right things domestically, it doesn’t go unnoticed.”
Lancashire have endured a difficult first half of the One Day Cup competition, mixing two wins with six losses so far to sit bottom of the table.
The Red Rose’s two wins came against Durham and high-flying Hampshire though, with Pavely well-aware of the threat they pose.
“A couple of our old Warwickshire girls are there,” she said. “Lancashire do provide a different challenge to most to be honest.
“They’ve got the likes of Pottsy [Grace Potts], Crossy [Kate Cross] and Tara [Norris]. They are good players, and they just provide that unique skill set. With Tara being left arm and Pottsy nipping the ball both ways, it provides its own unique challenges.
“Training has been really good. We’ve tried to focus on getting back to what we do well and just sticking together as a team.
“Results in the T20s haven’t gone the way we wanted, but that hasn’t stopped us from turning up and coming together.”