Higham Stars With Bat And Ball As Foxes Earn Third Straight Win

Leicestershire Women were the victors of a final over nail-biter against rivals Derbyshire Falcons, as the Foxes made it three wins in succession to strengthen their Finals Day charge.

Loanee Lucy Higham starred with bat and ball, returning figures of 4-0-17-2 before hitting an unbeaten 36 to secure a three-wicket win at Uptonsteel County Ground.

After a lengthy delay due to persistent rain, a superb effort from the groundstaff allowed play to get underway at 3:30pm. Derbyshire won the toss and elected to bat first, with Leicestershire naming the same side that had defeated Northamptonshire nine days prior.

Encouraged by that dominant victory over the Steelbacks, the Foxes came into the match full of confidence. That energy was palpable from the outset, as Emma Thatcher struck with the first legal delivery of the innings, inducing Jess Couser’s (0) outside edge through to ‘keeper Ellen Watson.

The former Derbyshire seamer struck again in her next over, as Ellie Nightingale (8) chipped the ball straight into the safe hands of Lucy Weston at cover to leave the Falcons 10 for two.

Leicestershire’s rampant start continued throughout the Powerplay, as Ellie Phillips, Laura Crofts and Higham made further inroads in successive overs. Derbyshire exiting the Powerplay tottering on 25 for five.

Derbyshire rebuilt with a steady 47-run stand, but Higham made the breakthrough once again. Natasha Allen (17) bowled while attempting to guide the ball through the off-side. The Falcons rallied to add another 40 runs before the next breakthrough, with a brilliant piece of fielding from 17-year-old Flora Davies at cover teeing up Crofts to complete the run-out.

Scarlett Hughes’ sharp throw from cover then ran out Rhiannon Knowling-Davies (4) in the final over, leaving Leicestershire needing 118 runs for victory.

The chase got off to a shaky start, as skipper Becki Brooker was bowled first ball. However, Cesca Sweet and Hughes steadied the innings, putting together a fluent 40-run partnership that brought the Foxes back into the contest.

Just as momentum seemed to be shifting in Leicestershire’s favour, Sweet was caught at long-on attempting to go big off Adrianna Darlow. Derbyshire capitalised on the breakthrough, with a cluster of wickets falling between the Powerplay’s conclusion and the halfway mark.

Knowling-Davies claimed two in the period, including the dangerous Hughes for a well-made 30, with Weston (0), Watson (3) and Davies (2) all falling cheaply to leave the Foxes 65 for six after 10.1 overs.

With the match hanging in the balance, Higham returned to the crease with intent. Supported by composed partnerships with Crofts and Phillips, she guided the chase home with calm assurance.

Fittingly, it was Higham (36) who sealed the win, tickling the fourth ball of the final over round the corner to the ropes to secure a hard-fought three-wicket victory.

Now on a three-match winning streak and sitting second in the North Group, Stephen Franklin’s side head to New Road to face Worcestershire Rapids on Sunday 13 July.