Flying start for women

BERKSHIRE Women got off to a flying start in the Royal London Cup last weekend, winning both their games played at North Maidenhead.

On Sunday, they bowled out Essex for exactly 100, but the visitors only managed that total due to the fact the extras column contributed 47 runs, which included 36 wides. Not one batter got into double figures. Pick of the bowlers was Lauren Bell with 3-21 off 8.5 overs, while Anya Shrubsole took 2-9 from five overs.

England Test star Shrubsole, making her debut, went on to score 22 in Berkshire’s reply of 101-5, Amanda Potgieter making 35 not out and Lissy MacLeod 30.

Heather Knight, the England captain, made her first appearance of the season on Monday and starred in a one-sided game against Worcestershire, Berkshire cruising home by 219 runs.

She made 131 off 121 balls, hitting a six and 128 fours and shared a third-wicket stand of

229 with team captain MacLeod, who fell just five runs short of also getting a century, her 95 coming off 116 balls.

Shrubsole smashed 20 off just sevens balls as Berks posted a formidable total of 296-4 from their 50 overs.

Anya then claimed 3-8 in seven overs as Worcestershire were shot out for a mere 77 runs in less than 29 overs.

Phoebe Graham took 3-14, Bell 2-15, Ashleigh Muttitt 1-15 and Knight 1-18. Only two visiting batters – just two more than Essex on Sunday – managed to reach double figures, Chloe Hill (28) and Clare Boycott (11) while there were 21 extras.

Berkshire will be looking to make it three home wins out of three when they take on Somerset at North Maidenhead on Sunday, May 12 at 11am.