Under 18 Girls Top Group To Set Up Home Quarter-Final Date

Leicestershire Under 18 Girls have set up a quarter-final clash with Middlesex in the inaugural County One Day Cup after convincingly topping Group 3 of the 50-over competition.

Qualification was secured with an emphatic nine-wicket win over Derbyshire on Wednesday, led by an unbroken 194-run partnership between Prisha Thanawala and Flora Davies.

The pair chased 201 with 23.4 overs to spare, as Thanawala (87*) and Davies (82*) responded to the early loss of Florence Conn with a mammoth stand at Barrow Town Cricket Club.

It followed an excellent bowling display, in which Sophie Lawrence (7-0-33-3) starred to limit the visitors to 200 all out from 44 overs.

After beginning the campaign with a century, Thanawala now sits the top of the tournament’s run-scoring charts, returning 298 runs at a whopping average of 149 from her four innings so far, while the all-rounder has contributed six wickets at 18.33.

16-year-old Davies has also enjoyed a fine campaign with the bat, averaging 81.00 from her four knocks, while Teegan Broughton and leg-spinner D’Nica Roff sit joint-fourth with eight wickets apiece.

Stephen Franklin’s side, who beat Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Warwickshire en route to top spot, will take on Middlesex at Uptonsteel County Ground on Monday, 12 August (11am start). Entry for supporters will be FREE.

Discussing the team's form, Head Coach Stephen Franklin said: “It’s a fantastic achievement to qualify for the quarter-final stages, especially given this is the first year our U18s have been able to play competitive 50-over cricket.

“We’ve beaten some strong sides and seen several members of the squad step up to make match-winning contributions throughout the group stage, which has been very pleasing.

“We’ve had to showcase the depth of our squad with players away or injured across the summer, which has presented opportunities for younger players to come in and perform “ and it’s a testament to our Pathway setup that the girls have slotted in so seamlessly.”

To view the U18’s results and final group standings, click HERE.