MIDDLESEX WOMEN V SOMERSET WOMEN - SUNDAY 29 MAY
MIDDLESEX WON BY 1 WICKET: SOMERSET 145; MIDDLESEX 148-9
With our squad depleted by injury, it gave others within the group the chance to show their worth. We won the toss and decided to field first.
After 14 overs Somerset were 47-5 thanks to 2 wickets apiece from our opening bowlers (Huddleston 2-35 and Raval 2-24).
Somerset’s middle order showed some resistance putting on 64 for the 5th wicket. Our spinners bowled with amazing control throughout the game, completing their allocated overs with 20 overs, 2 wickets for 30 (Westbury and Dunkley). Our 6th wicket came from Milly Pope who bowled some wonderful deliveries finishing with figures of 4-29, bowling Somerset out for 145 - a very good effort from us on what was a decent batting surface.
We began the run chase well with a new look opening pair of Westbury and Dattani putting on 46 off 16 before the first wicket; Dattani falling first for 20. Westbury fought hard and put on 40 with Bouchier (17) to get a determined 43.
At 96-3 we were coasting to victory with the calming head of Morgan and a little cameo from Dunkley (15). Somerset's Anya Shrubsole, ranked number 1 in the world in T20, produced a dangerous spell ripping through our middle order reducing us to 143-9.
The winning runs were scored by Morgan (36*), showing she is still a class act and such an important part of our team.
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MIDDLESEX WOMEN V SUSSEX WOMEN - MONDAY 30 MAY
SUSSEX WON BY 8 WICKETS: MIDDLESEX 173; SUSSEX 177-2
Winning the toss and choosing to bat worked as everything started well and was going to plan in order to set a big total against a solid Sussex side.
Westbury (12) and Dattani (71) put on 100 for no wicket, which was the perfect platform to build our big total. Dattani played beautifully for her score, showing she has the potential to be a top class batter, scoring freely, playing powerfully as well as with grace!
She was well supported by Bouchier (30), who I feel is going to be one of the many special young players we have.
We were bowled out for 173 which with our bowling attack we thought could be defended.
Huddleston and Ravel made early breakthroughs reducing Sussex to 39-2. A brilliant partnership of 134 saw Sussex home, winning by 8 wickets with Dannielle Wyatt (88*) showing why she is a very dangerous international player.
They scorecard would suggest we were hammered today, but looking at our team today I thought “what an exciting and skilful young team we have” with a very bright future. We were also missing four experienced top class players.
They just need to believe in themselves as much as I do - ‘Focus on what we do well’.
Sanjay Patel
Head Coach
