Middlesex (women) vs Yorkshire (women) (match 43 – league two final) at Northampton County Ground on Saturday, 26 July 2025, at 18h45
Commentators remarked on an ‘unusual situation’ where Yorkshire women are promoted next year, to become ‘league-one professionals’ without any trophy to their name following their ‘top order collapse’ in the final; whereas Middlesex women ‘as worthy winners’ are destined to stay in ‘league-two’ – even if they ‘won the double.’ On the day, it ‘couldn’t have gone any better’ for Middlesex women, sending Yorkshire to their first t20 defeat, without losing a solitary wicket. Significant batting from Finty Trussler – pictured [52*not out (from 45 balls)] who scored the winning ‘four’ to chalk-up her second match-winning ‘fifty’ of the day, with 35 balls remaining. Partner Issy Routledge [39 (from 35)] was awarded POTM having earlier taken two critical wickets during a match where only three Yorkshire women’s batters made double-figures. After collecting the trophy, Middx women’s skipper Saskia Horley gave a post-match interview – please see below. Commentators were Michael McCann (Sports journalist) with Georgie Heath (Women’s cricket chat) and Donna Alos (ECB host) presenting the trophy (for 20 ov.) Weather: overcast grey but improved with noticeable light breeze. Around 16C
Yorkshire women wearing sheer diamond-patterned light blue over dark blue; *skipper Maddie Ward (England u19s) *[Pippa Sproul keeping wicket for Middlesex women] *with Georgie Boyce (Blaze loan), *with Lauren Winfield-Hill (Essex from league-one), *Sterre Kalis (Netherlands International – also Warwickshire(Bears) from league-one), *Rachel Slater (Scotland international – also Durham Cricket from league-one) *without Amelia Love & Amelia Oliver (both England u-19 development call-up); *Georgie Boyce was caught from the ‘toe-end’ (elsewhere ‘outside-edge’) at ‘mid-on’ by Sonali Patel from Saskia Horley; *Sterre Kalis was caught at backward point (elsewhere: ‘in-the-deep’) by Riva Pindoria, for a second-ball ‘duck from Katie Wolfe;’ *Next over Lauren Winfield-Hill was bowled ‘through-the-gate by Issy Routledge; *After 6 overs power play 22/3; *Rebecca ’Becca’ Duckworth was ‘run out’ from Riva Pindoria’s ‘rocket arm’ throw from ‘backward point’ to keeper Pippa Sproul receiving at the striker’s end; *Cursed by commentators as ‘one of the most destructive players,’ Ami Campbell was bowled for a ‘golden duck’ by newbie Hannah Davis (with Hannah Davis expectant for a ‘hat-trick’); *Mid-way (10overs) 44/5; *Olivia ‘Liv’ Thomas chipped a ‘half-volley,’ caught-and-bowled Rachana Cambampaty; *Beth Langston was caught aerial ‘at comfortable height’ by Riva Pindoria from Rachana Cambampaty arriving at ‘long-on;’ *Mis-timing a ‘reverse-sweep’ Maddie Ward was bowled by Issy Routledge; *Commentators became concerned that batters were ‘not seeing through’ their 20 overs; *Mis-timing the final ball, Rachel Slater, was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ with bails sent flying by Rachana Cambampaty; Yorkshire women batting: Maddie Ward 39(35), Rebecca ‘Becca’ Duckworth 12(21), Ria Fackrell 11*not out (11); Middlesex women bowling: Rachana Cambampaty 3/30, Issy Routledge 2/18, Saskia Horley 1/15, Katie Wolfe 1/15, Hannah Davis 1/19;
Middlesex women wearing navy-blue and mauve-pattered over black; *skipper Saskia Horley; *[Maddie Ward keeping wicket for Yorks women]; Middlesex women batting: Openers carried their bats: Finty Trussler 52*not out(45). Issy Routledge 31*not out(34);
Match result: Middlesex (women) 103/0 (@6.6 runs-per-over, 13.1/20 overs/ target 102 from 20/20 ov)beat Yorkshire (women) 101/9 (@5.4 runs-per-over, 20/20 overs) by ten wickets, to win the Vitality Blast women T20 – league two trophy
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play at url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m9f36a713-93c9-4d99-897a-f0a67df2993b
*BBC Sport @url: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-225390 SKY Sports @url: https://www.skysports.com/cricket/middlesex-women-v-yorkshire-women/scorecard/51351435-fe09-5573-ac07-9516ae873471
*Full match free-to-air, courtesy of Middlesex Cricket/nv play via YouTube [02h44m55s] @url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MswL_z7TFJs
*Chat at the Close Saskia Horley courtesy of Middlesex Cricket/nv play via YouTube [04m32s] @url:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiSSwelw67M
*Upcoming League one fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/06/22/vitality-blast-league-one-fixtures-and-results-to-june-2025/
*Upcoming League two fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/07/26/vitality-blast-league-two-fixtures-with-group-stage-results-july-2025/
