Thanawala and Weston Star As U18s Pick Up Derby Day Wins
Wed 3 Jul 2024
Leicestershire’s Under 18 girls had a week to remember after completing a duo of resounding victories over their East Midlands rivals.
First up, Prisha Thanawala continued her fine form as the side defeated Nottinghamshire by eight wickets in Group 3 of the U18 County One Day competition on Thursday.
The 17-year-old added to her unbeaten 111 in the opening round win over Warwickshire with 5/39 and 78 to guide Stephen Franklin’s side to a thumping victory at Collingham Cricket Club.
First, she dismissed Meghna Rajan and Ella Porter as part of a double-wicket maiden, before striking twice in an over again to remove Olivia Baker and Hayva Abbott in successive deliveries.
Finally, Thanawala’s off spin bowled Harriett Maxwell to end with outstanding figures of 10-1-39-5, her second five-fer of the season.
The opener then starred in Leicestershire’s reply, scoring 78 from 109 balls alongside Florence Conn and Palak Dhore, both of which saw 50 and 100 partnerships respectively.
Dhore made an unbeaten 47 to see Leicestershire to a comfortable victory by eight wickets, chasing down the total in under 35 overs.
The young Foxes then made it two wins in a week on Tuesday to go three from three and extend their advantage at the summit of Group 3 “ beating Derbyshire by 108 runs at Sandiacre Town CC.
Lucy Weston starred with the bat, making 83 (67b), whilst Teagan Broughton sealed the victory with an excellent bowling performance, claiming three for 23.
Derbyshire won the toss and elected to field. Palak Dhore and Faith Teekasingh built an early partnership of 60, before Teekasingh (44) was caught by Erynn Crosby off the bowling of Phoebe Blurton and three overs later Dhore (34) was clean bowled by Lola Blake.
Enter Lucy Weston. Producing a captain’s knock, she held the innings together, racing to 83 from just 67 balls and crunching 10 fours in the process.
Her excellent innings ended when Maria Andrews caught her off the bowling of Sophie McCollum, leaving Leicestershire 210/6 with 10 overs remaining. A late innings cameo from Isla-Rose Williamson (10*, 4b), left Derbyshire with a target of 253.
Leicestershire picked up two wickets in the first seven overs. Broughton got her first of the afternoon when Andrews was caught by Ellie Rowley, followed by the Derbyshire captain, Jess Smithurst, being sent back by Williamson.
Erynn Crosby was then run out for six, while Harriett Parkin was stumped by Faye Stanley just seven balls later, leaving the home side floundering on 54/4.
McCollum lost her wicket to Rowley for 20, before Broughton helped wrap up the innings with two more wickets - Lola Blake and May Brown both being clean bowled.
Lucinda Hunter picked up the final pole as Derbyshire were dismissed for 144. Leicestershire taking victory by a significant margin of 108 runs, meaning the Foxes are firmly in control at the top of their County One Day Cup group.
A scorecard for the victory over Notts can be viewed HERE. A scorecard for the victory over Derbyshire can be viewed HERE.
