Match Preview | Metro Bank One Day Cup | Northamptonshire Steelbacks | 20 April 2025

A historic day is upon us, as Leicestershire Women launch a new era with their maiden match as a Tier Two county on Easter Sunday.

Stephen Franklin’s side take on Northamptonshire Steelbacks in Metro Bank One Day Cup League Two action, as they bid to make it seven wins on the spin at Uptonsteel County Ground.

Buoyed by nine new arrivals over a busy winter, the Foxes have six potential debutants in their matchday squad, with Becki Brooker once again set to lead Leicestershire into battle.

SQUAD:

Head Coach Stephen Franklin names a 13-strong squad for Sunday’s opener. Laura Crofts, Ellie Phillips, Francesca Sweet, Emma Thatcher, Ellen Watson, and Holly Whitfield are all vying for their Foxes debuts after joining the Club ahead of the 2025 campaign.

Leicestershire Foxes: Brooker*, Bennett+, Colquhoun, Crofts, Davies, Herathge, Phillips, Roff, Sweet, Thatcher, Watson, Weston, Whitfield.

Last Time We Met:

The sides last met in July, a T20 clash won by Leicestershire at Uptonsteel County Ground.

Northamptonshire finished their allocation on 113/6, with wickets for Sophie Lawrence (2/15), Hannah Francis (1/18) and Asmi Shembekar (1/21) “ as well as runouts affected by Brooker and Lucy Weston.

The Foxes got off to a flyer in response, with Brooker and Bennett posting a 50 partnership before the pair fell for 35 and 20 respectively. Weston then smashed an unbeaten 40 from just 27 balls to guide Leicestershire home by six wickets with 3.3 overs to spare.

Tickets:

Leicestershire Members can gain FREE admission to Sunday’s fixture, which starts at 10:30am. General admission tickets are priced at £5 ONLINE or on the gate, while Junior tickets are £1.

Follow Live:

If you can't make it to Uptonsteel County Ground in person, you can watch along on Foxes TV, or follow @leicswomenccc on X and Instagram.