Lots of cricket played over this July with our Women’s playing their first ever fixture at Edgbaston and with the success of the game and having nearly 3000 people stay and it was a fantastic occasion in women’s cricket. Thank you to all who came and supported the day.
Under 11s
Under 11s have played 5 games this month unfortunately have struggled to get over the line however with such a young side they are showing great skills and some very impressive individual performances. Against Staffordshire M. Khan scored 23 runs and too 2 wickets from her 5 over spell. Against Northampton C. Brown took 1 wicket for 9 runs in 3 overs. F. Purviss scored 24 runs. against Worcestershire L. Hardy bowled 3-1-3-1 and against Shropshire in a twenty over game F. Purviss scored 22 and N. Smitten scored 20.
Under 13s
Our under 13s have been very busy indeed having 5 fixtures, winning 4 of the 5 and are currently top of their ECB competition, the first fixture in July was against Oxfordshire. Warwickshire Won the Toss and chose to bat, this proved to be a good decision posting 218-5 with everyone working together to contribute to the overall score. Smitten (45), Sercombe (37), Mackey (33) and Langdell (33). Warwickshire under 13s then bowled Oxfordshire out for 83. Wining by a 135 runs. in the second game of the month Warwickshire faced Nottinghamshire, we lost the toss and posted a score of 124 which proved to be too much for Nottinghamshire who were all out for 72 through the exceptional bowling of Sercombe who ended with figures of 5-3-5-3. 3 days later the girls faced Northamptonshire posting a total which was competitive but reachable if we bowled poorly. The girls managed to score 131-6 with the inform Smitten reaching her 50. Hannah Downs then took responsibility opening the bowling to ensure the score posted was too much. Hannah ended with exceptional figures of 7-2-13-5. On the 21st July Warwickshire took on Nottinghamshire again this time we were chasing. Nottingham posted 138-8 with everyone sharing the wickets. The girls then went about reaching the total in a positive fashion knocking the runs off in the 27th over. Again 30 from Smitten helped the team over the line. The girls last game of the month was against Buckinghamshire in a low scoring affair Warwickshire stumbled up to 80 losing wickets consistently throughout the innings. Buckinghamshire scored the runs in 16 overs however had a few scares along the way. With Grace Godfrey making it difficult finishing with figures of 3.4—0-26-3
Under 13s Development
Our 13s development side have had a number of games in the month of July, unfortunately have lost the matches they have played but are currently at Malvern and have won their first two fixtures. Having lost against Nottinghamshire in the first game by 9 wickets the 13 development soon learnt that running between the wickets was an important part of batting and this showed in their second game where they score 186-8 against Gloucestershire. Runs from Avery (35*), Crampton (31), Glasby (30). Gloucester knocked off the score and won by 5 wickets but a noticeable improvement was the main outcome from the game. in a close game against Shropshire the girls scored 100 but narrowly lost by 2 wickets, Bawden being the main run scorer in this match with 32 runs.
Under 15s
Under 15s have also been busy winning 6 out of 7 plus 2 games abandoned due to rain. The first game against oxford, Oxford batted first and scores 128 all out wickets shared between Kite (8-0-29-3) and Hall (8-3-15-3). The under 15s then knocked the score off in the 33rd over a 50 run opening partnership helped the girls with Ballinger (27) and Dixon (35). The second game of the month Warwickshire took on local rivals Shropshire. A convincing win by 113. Warwickshire scored 236-6 with Ballinger (87) and Isabella Bottrell-Campbell (53). Sananders scored (60) but it wasn’t enough and Shropshire ended on 123-5 of their 40 overs. All bowlers bowling tight lines to restrict the Shropshire girls. Unfortunately the rematch against Shropshire was abandoned which meant the girls next fixture was against the strong Staffordshire under 15s. the match was affected by the rain which meant it was down to 30 overs per side, early wickets put Warwickshire on the back foot and eventually finished on 108-7 with Wong (30) being the main run scorer. Staffordshire completed the run chase in the 25th over 5 wickets down. The girls bounced back with a win against oxford for the second time in the month. Batting first Warwickshire posted 216-8 in 40 overs runs from Dixon (42), Kite (30) and Wong (55). Oxford then finished on 133 for 9 after their 40 overs. 2 wickets a piece for Burke, Kite and Buckton. Buckinghamshire was the next fixture. Again Warwickshire Batted first and a maiden 100 for Wong (120*) seen the girls get up to 241-6. Warwickshire then kept Bucks down to 141-9 winning by 100 runs. Wickets shared between Hall (8-0-22-3) and Buckton (7-1-27-2) Unfortunately due to rain the T20 tournament between us, Worcester and Buckinghamshire was rain affected and Bucks didn’t travel. Therefore only one game was played in the day against Worcester and Warwickshire. Warwickshire winning convincingly by 71 runs. Ballinger being the main batter in the Warwickshire innings scoring (50). The final game of the month for the girls was against Northamptonshire. Again the girls batted first and posted a very strong score of 270 runs from Kite (74), Ballinger (60) and Buckton a quick (28). Wong then demolished the top order taking 3 wickets from her 8 overs and only going for 14 runs. Dixon also contributing to the wickets finishing with figures of (6-1-14-2). Currently Warwickshire sit top of the under 15s competition however have finished all their competition fixtures, only one point ahead of Staffordshire who have two fixtures remaining.
Under 15s Development
The under 15s Development beat Gloucestershire this month which means they have won 2 from 2 with Malvern on the horizon they are in good form. Warwickshire bowled out Gloucester for 81 who was chasing 130. Wickets were shared throughout the team and runs likewise. In August the under 15s take on Berkshire, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk at Malvern. Can they continue their unbeaten run?
Under 17s
Our under 17 girls have been in great form this month playing 7 fixtures and winning all 7. We currently sit top of the ECB competition and have 2 games left to play. 2 wins and we are through to finals day although 1 win might be enough if other results go our way. The first game of the month was against Oxford. Warwickshire Batted first after losing the toss and scored 177-6 in 45 overs a strong knock from Fackrell (59). Oxfordshire was then bowled out for 131. Emily Farmer taking 5 wickets in her 6.4 overs. Their second game in the league competition was against Shropshire again batting first we scored 208-6 runs from Davis (54), Fackrell (46) and Gilkes (48) in her first game back from injury. Warwickshire then kept Shropshire down to 156-7 with 3 wickets from Crawley and 2 from Chaundy. Warwickshire then had a break from the league and went to Malvern where they played three games in three days against very competitive teams Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire. The girls won all three games at the festival. scores as follows: Warwickshire (224-8) Devon (221-8). Ellis (93) and Fackrell (41). Gilkes (6-1-14-3) AND Crawley (7-2-19-4). Game 2 Shropshire (228-7) v Warwickshire (229-6). Ellis (9-0-39-3) and runs from Crawley (38), Patel (61) Fackrell (33) and Ballinger (38). Game 3 Yorkshire (128-10) v Warwickshire (132-4). Wickets shared by Chaundy (6.5-0-21-3), Gilkes (5-0-23-2), Ellis (7-0-18-20) and Patel (9-0-31-2). The under 17s girls attention then changed to T20 mode where we had two games to play in the day against Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire. The girls adapted very well and won both games. First game against Notts (103-6) wickets shared plays (104-2) Kite being the main batter showing positive intent and scoring over a run a ball for 41. In the second game against local rivals Worcester chose to bat first and posted 88-3 in their 20 overs tight bowling from all the bowlers made the chase comfortable and the top three made light work finishing the game in the 14th over. Crawley (42*), Davis (16*).
Warwickshire & Birmingham Bears Women
Senior ladies attention this month has been all around the T20 competition, Birmingham Bears women have had 6 T20 fixtures this month over three days. The ladies team should be very proud of their achievements ending up second in division one of the ECB T20 league after being promoted from division 2 last season. In the first round of T20 matches Birmingham Bears took on Berkshire and Yorkshire. In the first match Birmingham Bears restricted Yorkshire to 97-8.
Wickets shared between Hennessy, Grundy, Kelly and Patel. In reply Birmingham Bears set of slowly losing Zahoor and S. kelly early, however Australian overseas Anna Lanning and KSL Player Georgia Hennessy hit the bulk of the runs (Lanning 42* & Hennessy 39) to get the team over the line in 18th over. The second game again Birmingham Bears was chasing, this time only having to chase Berkshires total of 80. Again early wickets fell but a steady innings from Hennessy (32) got Birmingham Bears close to the total and was left to Grundy (11*) and Crofts (9*) to finish the game. Day two of the T20 rounds Birmingham Bears faced Sussex at Edgbaston Foundation ground and then moved to Edgbaston to play Lancashire. In the first game Birmingham Bears started off positive with an opening partnership of 100 before England wicket keeper Amy Jones got out scoring 40 off as many balls. Hennessy ended with 55 and the team finished on 135-3. In reply Sussex were going well and always in the chase however losing regular wickets. The big wicket of G. Elwiss bowled by A. patel swung the game back into Birmingham’s favour and eventually Sussex finished 11 short of the total. Now onto the one everyone has been waiting for Birmingham Bears v Lancashire at Edgbaston. In front of 3000 people at the start of the game Anna Lanning and captain Marie Kelly rose to the occasion. Birmingham Bears finished on 157- 8 through a marvellous inning from Lanning (83*) and M. kelly (46). In reply Lancashire ended up 30 runs shy of the total through tight bowling from J. Gunn (4-0-17-2). This meant Birmingham Bears were sitting at the top of the table having won 4 games and 1 rained off. It meant that if Birmingham Bears could win one out of the two final matches Birmingham Bears would win their first ever trophy in ladies senior cricket. Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be, in the first match against Middlesex, Birmingham Bears scored 138-8 and Middlesex knocked the runs off in the 19th over. A couple of dropped catches and a missed run out helped Middlesex over the line. It all came down to the last game where winner takes all, if Kent won they would pip Birmingham to the championship. Birmingham were asked to bat first and started well, the first wicket eventually came after a partnership of 71. Unfortunately a few very tight overs through the middle of the innings and a couple of wickets slowed the scoring rate down and the Bears ended up on 126-4. This was about 10 short which later showed with Kent finishing the game with 3 balls to go. Whilst the team was disappointed, it was a fantastic achievement and one they should be very proud of. The Ladies still have another opportunity for silver wear this year in the 50 over competition and their attention will turn to this after the Women’s Super League finishes in three weeks’ time.
