Middlesex Women got their season off to the perfect start with a dominant eight-wicket victory over Kent in their opening Metro Bank One-Day Cup match at Radlett Cricket Club yesterday.
The dream start was built on a sensational bowling display, headed by Gaya Gole, who achieved remarkable figures of 6/30 – equalling her best-ever haul for Middlesex. Alongside Katie Wolfe, the pair proved lethal with the new ball, tearing through Kent’s top order and setting the tone for a commanding victory.
After skipper Saskia Horley won the toss and opted to bowl first, Wolfe opened from the Pavilion End. Kent reached 19 in the first three overs, but it wasn’t long before Gole made her presence felt.
She struck twice in two balls to dismiss Amy Gordon and Megan Sturge, before removing opener Sophie Singer and Genevieve Jeer in quick succession. Wolfe then joined the party, bowling out Coco Streets to leave Kent reeling at 35/5 inside ten overs.
From there, Middlesex didn’t let up. Gole and Wolfe continued to apply relentless pressure, sharing the next four wickets between them.
Although Kent’s tenth-wicket partnership briefly resisted, the breakthrough eventually came courtesy of Hannah Davis, who wrapped up the innings by dismissing Megan Belt with her fourth delivery.
Kent were all out for 66 in 20.4 overs – a testament to Middlesex’s clinical bowling and sharp fielding.
Issy Routledge and Riva Pindoria then stepped up with the bat, approaching the chase with composure, and getting the innings off to a solid start.
Pindoria was eventually given out lbw, bringing Finty Trussler to the crease. She added 13 to the score, striking two boundaries, before being caught with just 19 runs left to win.
Horley joined Routledge in the middle and wasted no time, striking a brisk 14 off just 7 deliveries. Routledge fittingly sealed the victory with a boundary as Middlesex cruised to 69/2 in just 12.1 overs.
As starts go, they don’t come much better – a comprehensive performance with bat and ball, to say the least.
Here’s hoping it’s a sign of things to come as Middlesex Women step confidently into this new era.
Middlesex Women
Kent Women
