U18 Girls Secure Semi-Final Spot With Middlesex Win
Tue 13 Aug 2024
Leicestershire Under 18 Girls have progressed into the semi-final of the County Cup after an impressive chase in their round of eight tie against Middlesex on Monday.
The headlines were stolen by 16-year-old Flora Davies who made a stunning century that capped off an excellent run chase from the Junior Foxes, chasing down 285 with 5.2 overs to spare.
Skipper, Lucy Weston made 80 in a stand of 133 with Davies, while Prisha Thanawala took 3/49 from her ten overs with the ball.
Middlesex won the toss and elected to bat, which initially looked like the wrong call as they lost two early wickets, both falling victim to Thanawala.
The off-spinner first claimed captain, Hannah Taylor-Yeates when she was caught by Isla-Rose Williamson, before she clean bowled Vani Dhanuka for a duck an over later to leave the visitors 14/2.
Despite a tricky start, Middlesex recovered as three substantial partnerships followed. Amelie Bishop made 43 alongside Riva Pindoria, before the latter put on another 57 in tandem with Georgia Irving.
In the duration of this partnership Bishop bought up a personal milestone of her own with a 50, but this was shortly followed by her wicket, trapped lbw by Lucinda Hunter.
The wicket bought Dia Nair to the crease, with the number six making a confident 85 off 87 balls including a partnership of 67 alongside wicket-keeper Irving.
Nair was denied a potential century by Teagan Broughton, as Middlesex concluded their innings on 285/8.
In reply Leicestershire turned, what initially looked a tricky run-chase, into a formality. Openers Thanawala and Florence Conn made a good start, putting on 39 for the first wicket, before the former was dismissed for 24 by Sarah Pearson.
It didn’t affect the Foxes much, as the wicket was followed by two massive ton plus partnerships. Opener Conn batted with caution alongside Flora Davies who was scoring at almost a run a ball.
The pair combined to make 109, with Flora Davies bringing up her half-century and Conn falling agonizingly close to that milestone, Taylor Yeates claiming her wicket on 49.
Weston entered as Leicestershire continued to knock off the runs. The captain upped the run rate, accumulating 80 off 62 balls, while Davies made her century just as the run chase was complete.
Their partnership added 133 allowing Stephen Franklin’s side to get home at a canter and book themselves a semi-final against Essex at Kibworth on 20 August.
