Derbyshire Falcons (women) vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks (women) – (match 22, league two) – at The Central Co-op County Ground, Derby on Saturday 2 August 2025 (10h30)
‘Local’ East Midlands derby, with same result as when played on the same ground in shorter format (20ov. League two, match 36 on 18 July.) Commentators expected Steelbacks to qualify for a place in the semi-finals whereas Derbys ‘needed to rebuild’ as they remain winless after five matches played-to-date. Amelia Kemp made top-score for Falcons [40 from (35 balls), contributing to (what turned out to be) a higher ‘power-play’ score; partnered by Lara Shaw [31 (from 44).] Best Steelbacks bowler Anisha Patel – pictured took a skipper’s 4-fer [4 wickets/conceding 10 runs.] Five Falcons batters departed for single figures that included three ‘ducks.’ Gemma Marriott’s leg-spin took 3/2, pointing to batting practice needed by Falcons back-in-their-nets. By comparison, Steelbacks innings was an uneventful run-chase, apart from Michaela Kirk’s unbeaten ‘fifty’ [65*not out (from 80 balls).] Commentators made their best efforts to ‘build-up’ the occasion when Beth Ascott scored three consecutive ‘fours’ to see Steelbacks ‘across the finishing line’ adding an amusing reference made to horse-racing. *Commentators included Claire B Jenkins (women’s cricket commentator, senior lecturer, former player for Derbyshire & Somerset women) and Freddie Cardy (Gooner Fanzine) ‘from Derbyshire.’
Falcons women wearing dark-blue with light-blue leg stripes and blue helmets; *skipper Adrianna Darlow [Chloe Hill keeping wicket for Steelbacks] *with Scotland international Ella Porter, *Maria Andrews & Lara Shaw (Blaze academy loans) *without Ellie Nightingale (Yorks); *After ten overs power-play: 53/0; *Jess Couser was caught at ‘point’ by Anisha Patel, from Amelia Kemp; *Lara Shaw was caught by keeper Chloe Hill, from Ella Phillips; *Hesitant Marie Andrews was ‘run-out’ from ‘cover’ by Martha Reid’s throw to Ella Phillips (who came round-the-wicket), receiving at the non-striker’s end; *Mis-timing ‘reverse-sweep’ Ella Porter was bowled ‘through-the-gate’ by Anisha Patel; *By mid-way (25 ov) 104/4; *Megan Pittman was caught at ‘square’ by Michaela Kirk, from Anisha Patel; *Natasha ‘Tash’ Allen was comfortably caught-and-bowled by Anisha Patel; *Rhiannon Knowling-Davies was caught at ‘cover’ by Lenny Sims, from Anisha Patel; *Adrianna Darlow, was bowled ‘middle-and-off’ by Gemma Marriott; *Harriet Parkin was also bowled ‘middle-and-off’ by Gemma Marriott; *Pagan Hardwick was bowled ‘middle-and-leg’ by Gemma Marriott; Falcons women batting: Jess Couser40(35), Lara Shaw31(44), Natasha ‘Tash’ Allen14(20,) Ella Porter13(16), Megan Pittman12(33); Steelbacks women bowling: Anisha Patel Anisha Patel 4/10, Gemma Marriott 3/2, Amelia Kemp 1/23, Ella Phillips 1/26;
Steelbacks women wearing purple with light-blue splash over dark blue with dark helmets; skipper Anisha Patel (50ov.) *[Megan Pittman keeping wicket for Falcons]; *debutante Chloe Hill (formerly of Rapids), *with Michaela Kirk (Blaze loan & Republic of South Africa) *without Poppy Smart; *Chloe Hill was caught by keeper Megan Pittman, from Francesca Clarke; *After ten overs power-play: 37/1 (vs 53/0) *Lunch break taken on 46/1, needing 90 to win; *one more wicket fell after play resumed. *Mis-timing a ‘sweep’ Amelia Kemp was bowled by Marie Andrews; *By mid-way (25 overs) 106/2 (vs 104/4); Steelbacks women batting: Michaela Kirk65*not out(80), Amelia Kemp26(36), Beth Ascott38*not out (48); Falcons women bowling: Marie Andrews 1/15, Francesca Clarke 1/54;
Match result: Northamptonshire Steelbacks (women) 136/2 (4.7@ runs-per-over, from 28.3/50 overs/target 136 from 50 ov) beat Derbyshire, Falcons (women) 135 ‘All out’ (2.7@ runs-per-over, from 50/50 overs) by eight wickets with 129 balls remaining
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play at url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#md458f4d1-8433-44e4-bf49-768ac79abfb9
*BBC Sport @url: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-225596 & SKY Sports@url: https://www.skysports.com/cricket/derbyshire-falcons-women-v-northamptonshire-steelbacks-women/scorecard/2731f8b7-9358-522c-9e27-970aa950ebbd
*Full match free-to-air, courtesy of Derbyshire TV (nv play) via YouTube [04h33m20s] @url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKGNzh3iEDM
*Upcoming League one fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/05/22/metro-bank-league-one-fixtures-and-results-up-to-may-2025/
*Upcoming League two fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/05/25/metro-bank-league-two-fixtures-and-results-up-to-may-2025/
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