Middlesex (women) vs Sussex Sharks (women) (match 35, league two-‘stand-alone’ fixture); at Radlett Cricket Club, Brunton Memorial Ground (Herts) on 5 July 2026
Even before the first ball was bowled, Middlesex women were destined to miss-out from defending their title on finals day. On the day, the defending champions beat Sharks by scoring with a marginally faster run-rate. Although Middx womens’ top batters were absent, each team had batters who scored ‘fifty:’ Riva Pindoria – pictured (fielding) [52*not out(from 28 balls) for Middx; and Mollie Adams 51(31) for Sharks. When bowling, each team took the same number of wickets with bowlers who took 4-fers: Anaya Patel [taking 4 wickets/conceding 31 runs] for Middx; and Eve O’Neill taking 4/26 for Sharks. Having recently mustered two successful run-chases (vs Gloucs & Steelbacks): Sharks women batters did well to narrow-the-gap down to 11 runs. Middx women finished their group-stage in fourth place. Weather: morning clouds lifted for fine afternoon 22C.
Middlesex women wearing two-tone vertical striped pink shirts with black trim over black joggers; skipper Saskia Horley (Scots, Australia’s WBBL); [Mollie Adams keeping wicket for Sharks women]; *with Pippa Sproul (Scots international); *Scarlett Hughes was caught aerial at ‘mid-wicket’ by Alice Clarke, from Bella Johnson’s spin; *Artemis Downer was caught at ‘point’ by Tia Stanley, from seamer Rebecca Denman; *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 45/2; & *Score 81/2 by ‘mid-way’ (after 10 overs); *Gayatri ‘Gaia’ Gole returned a ‘dolly’ to Chiara Green who caught-and-bowled; *skipper Saskia Horley was caught aerial at ‘cover’ by Izzy Collis, from Eve O’Neill’s spin; *Mis-timing a ‘cut,’ Abbie Whybrow was caught at ‘square’ by Bella Johnson, from Eve O’Neill; *Alice Whitmore wafered-an-edge, caught by keeper Mollie Adams, from Eve O’Neill; *Anaya Patel was caught aerial at ‘mid-on’ by Kali-Ann Docherty, from Eve O’Neill; Middlesex women batting: Riva Pindoria 52*not out(28); Saskia Horley 38(27); Scarlett Hughes 22(13); Gayatri ‘Gaia’ Gole 15(14); Sharks women bowling: Eve O’Neill 4/26(4); Chaira Green 1/22(4); Bella Johnson 1/34(4); Rebecca Denman 1/52(4);
Sharks women wearing sea-blue over black with white numbers *skipper Chaira Green [*Scarlett Hughes keeping wicket for Middx women]; *debutante Rebecca Denman *with Mollie Adams & Shristi Patil (Hants loans – also England Women U19 Tri-Series Squad 2026); also *with Ava Lee (Hants loan); *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 54/0 (vs 45/2); *Mollie Adams was caught at ‘cover’ by Anaya Patel, from Saskia Horley; *Izzy Collis was caught aerial at ‘mid-off’ by Artemis Downer, from Hannah Davis’ spin; *Score 92/2(vs81/2) by ‘mid-way’ (after 10 overs); *Mis-timing reverse-scoop, Shristi Patil snicked-an-edge to keeper Scarlett Hughes, from Alice Whitmore; *Chiara Green was caught aerial at ‘mid-off’ by Artemis Downer, from Anaya Patel; *Over-stepping, Tia Stanley was ‘stumped’ by Scarlett Hughes, from Anaya Patel; *Next ball, Rebecca Denman, was caught aerial at ‘deep square’ by Katie Wolfe, from Anaya Patel for a ‘golden duck;’ *Mis-timing ‘sweep’ to ‘square,’ Bella Johnson, went plumb ‘leg-before’ to Anaya Patel; Sharks women batting: Mollie Adams 51(31); Izzy Collis 33(25); Tia Stanley 18(18); Bella Johnson 15(14); Middlesex women bowling: Anaya Patel 4/31(4); Alice Whitmore 1/16(2); Hannah Davis 1/18(4); Saskia Horley 1/32(4);
*Match result: Middlesex (women) 174/7 (@8.7 runs-per-over from 20 ov) beat Sussex Sharks (women) 163/7 (@8.1 runs-per-over/target 175 from 20 ov) by 11 runs
*Scorecard without video, courtesy of ECB via nv play @url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#me5e80000-9b94-4272-5989-08de2c26e789
*Upcoming League two fixtures 20ov (2026) @url: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/12/17/vitality-blast-league-two-fixtures-for-season-2026-4-of-4/
*Upcoming League two fixtures 50ov (2026) @url: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2026/04/25/metro-bank-one-day-cup-womens-tournament-for-50-overs-league-two-may-update-2026/
