Congratulations to Middlesex Women’s Saskia Horley and Molly Barbour-Smith, who have both enjoyed successful starts to their international careers this summer.
Middlesex batter, Horley, 22, made her IT20 debut for Scotland on Monday during the first match of their series against Ireland at Grange Cricket Club in Edinburgh.
Hailing from St Leonards – a suburb on the outskirts of Sydney in Australia – Horley has represented Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League previously and made an instant on the international stage by firing 52 off 42 balls in an innings that contained six fours and a six.
However, despite the terrific start, it was to be in vain as Ireland’s Orla Prendergast hit an unbeaten 75 to help the visitors chase 134 and win by eight wickets with 3.4 overs to spare.
Backing up a half-century on debut was going to be no easy feat, but it seems like Horley has taken to international cricket like a duck to water as she blitzed 44 off 33 deliveries, striking three fours and two sixes.
This international call-up came off the back of a successful Vitality Women’s County T20 campaign as Middlesex topped Group Seven.
In the Women’s London Championship, Horley shone in the victory over Sussex – making 82 off 86 deliveries – hitting seven fours and two sixes along the way.
Middlesex’s Molly Barbour-Smith also made a significant impact in a Scotland shirt this summer, playing for the under-19s in the ICC World T20 qualifiers.
Barbour-Smith managed to score 42 in the first qualifying match against Netherlands as Scotland booked their place in the inaugural ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup which will take place in South Africa next year.
Speaking of the achievements, former Scotland international and Middlesex’s Head of Women’s Cricket, said:
“Congratulations to them both on being able to wear the thistle with pride and hopefully this is only start of two long and fruitful international careers.
“It is wonderful to see two of our players represent their country. This is testament to their hard work over the course of the summer and the work of our coaching team.”
