Izzy keeps us updated both on and off the pitch!
EVEN with the proliferation of social media in the modern world, a county captain being forced to tweet midmatch seems absurd – but that was Izzy Westbury’s reality.
In addition to helping administrate and run Middlesex on a day-to-day basis, Westbury would also use drinks breaks during games to ensure the team’s Twitter account was kept busy.
With those demands, not to mention trying to be the talismanic all-rounder her side required on the field, it’s no surprise she opted to stand down from the captaincy this winter after two years at the helm.
Westbury has been replaced as skipper by Naomi Dattani in 50-over cricket and Natasha Miles in T20 but with Middlesex now employing Danni Warren as the county game’s very first head of women’s cricket, the 27-year-old claims there is no better time to be donning the armband.
“I’m sorry to be stepping down at this juncture – ironically, this is the first time the captain can focus on cricket instead of every other bit of rubbish you have to do!” said Westbury.
“I remember having to run the social media account, which is absurd, when you’re running from a drinks break to go and tweet something, but that’s what you have to do when you’re just keeping your head above the water.
“We also had a manager and coach, but it was between the three of us that we had to organise logistics, and even things like coming to Middlesex’s media day have only happened in the past two years.
“When you do that, you try and compartmentalise. It’s very difficult, especially as I was a jack-of-all-trades on the pitch as well, but a lot of women will tell you they’ve never known it any other way.”
And Westbury insists the importance of Warren’s appointment can’t be overstated, as the responsibilities thrust upon Dattani and Miles will be night and day from her tenure.
“The appointment of Danni, in what is a full-time role, means we can focus on one thing – what happens on the pitch,” added Westbury.
“Danni has been part of Middlesex forever, she knows how it works and how to make it work, so hopefully that means the two captains can focus about matters on the pitch, which they should be doing.
“It’s the first one in the country that’s full-time, five days a week and paid for, and that’s so important.
“A lot of people have good intent but there often hasn’t been the capacity to do everything that’s needed, so to have someone there is a relief.”
Despite the introduction of the Kia Super League last season, Westbury still feels there is plenty of work to do if women’s cricket is to hit the spotlight, both domestically and internationally
And while she may still offer her opinion on playing matters to the new skippers, the former Somerset all-rounder feels the team has enough experience to not be reliant on just her viewpoint.
“You’re always having to remind people that you exist, but that is something that will be a lot easier,” added Westbury.
“My asset has not only been my on-field stuff but my voice off it as well, so maybe it’s a good time to be taking a backseat.
“We’ve got a great set-up at Middlesex, we’ve got a leadership group as opposed to one person, people like Fran Wilson who’s with England and Beth Morgan who was captain before, so there is a lot of experience.”
Middlesex is a place currently awash with excitement following the men’s dramatic County Championship triumph on the final day last year.
But Westbury feels that is both a blessing and a curse as the women prepare for the new season, having finished sixth in their own Championship campaign.
She added: “It’s a double-edge sword – it’s incredible what the men have achieved and we were all rooting for them last year.
“But there is always that thing in the back of the mind that if they’re flying high, are we going to be forgotten?
“Hopefully that’s not the case, we haven’t got the superstar names but they have had that success so it’s both good thing and a challenge for us.”