Preview: Bears Women vs Hampshire Women, Metro Bank One Day Cup

Bears Women make their historic debut tomorrow (Wed 23 April, 10.30am) as Warwickshire’s first fully-professional women’s team – and Head Coach Ali Maiden said his players will embrace what he knows is a “special moment”.

Maiden’s side face Hampshire Women – fittingly at Warwickshire’s Edgbaston home – in the opening round of the Women’s Metro Bank One Day Cup.

He recognizes the importance of the occasion for both the Club and women’s sport regionally and across the country.

Bears Women are one of eight Tier 1 sides in a revamped national women’s cricket structure featuring three competitions, including the 50-over cup which gets the season underway.

And Maiden – who won the 2017 Women’s World Cup as England Assistant Coach – said he wants his players to get inspiration from the buzz enveloping Edgbaston.

“We’re excited. We’ve worked hard over the winter and it’s all building up to this,” said Maiden, who’s named a 13-player squad for his first game in charge.

“The players want to get out there and show what they can do. The weather has been kind in pre-season so they’ve had lots of practice out on the grass, lots of overs in the legs, and everyone is raring to go.

“The Club has done so much with the new dressing rooms and gym, lots to make the place feel special for the players. It is a special moment, there’s a buzz around the place.

“We’ve done a lot of talk about how we want to play as a team, our style. We want to be brave and have fun, because if we’re enjoying our cricket that brings out the best in us. There will only ever be one first game for this first Bears Women team, so enjoy the occasion. Take it in, look around, and be inspired.”

Bears Women go into the game buoyed by three wins from four Edgbaston pre-season friendlies.

New Dutch international loan signing Sterre Kalis (pic below) made an immediate impact in a Bears shirt with two 50s – and shared a 109-run opening partnership with Abbey Freeborn against Durham.

Em Arlott and Katie George also registered half centuries in warm-up games, while England spinner Hannah Baker claimed 6/47 against Somerset Women.

Captain Georgia Davis and teammates Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin and Issy Wong have returned from England A duty in Australia.

Wong – who claimed a five-fer against Australia A in a one-off four-day game – is rested for Bears Women’s opener on ECB workload management advice. But she is expected to feature in Sunday’s away trip to Essex.

Maiden added: “Issy has been going well, she had a great winter. She’s at the top of her game so she’ll be a miss for us. It’d be lovely to have her, but ultimately you have to look after the players and their welfare.

“She had a big workload in that last week in Australia so the right thing to do is let her have a game to rest. It gives other people opportunities.

“We have other seamers. Katie George is back bowling from injury, Em Arlott who played state cricket in Australia in the winter, plus seaming allrounders Bethan Ellis and Chloe Brewer.

“And we’re blessed with spin. We’ve our captain Georgia, Charis Pavely and Hannah Baker, three spinners all with England experience. That’s a massive strength for us. We have a good bowling attack.

“There will be times in the season when people are missing and others will step up.

“Being together as a unit and looking after each other, that’s important. The season won’t always be smooth running, so look after your mates and stick together under pressure. Be relaxed and clear on what you need to do to deliver your skills. There are times it won’t go to plan but we have to stay calm and adapt to what’s in front of you.”

Squad

Georgia Davis (c)
Em Arlott
Hannah Baker
Chloe Brewer
Bethan Ellis
Abbey Freeborn
Katie George
Sterre Kalis
Charis Pavely
Davina Perrin
Amu Surenkumar
Millie Taylor
Nat Wraith

How to follow

Members and supporters can follow the match live in our Match Centre at edgbaston.com, which will include a free-to-watch stream and a live text commentary. You can also see a ball-by-ball feed and watch highlights of all the action.

Supporters can get involved by sending their match-day comments and thoughts on Twitter via @WarwickshireCCC and we’ll publish the best ones on our live text commentary in the Match Centre.

Supporters can also watch the Live Stream and get instant push notifications of all wickets, innings and match results via the Edgbaston app, which is free to download on iOS and Android.

Match updates will also be available across the Club’s social media accounts, simply search for @WarwickshireCCC.