Women Defeated By Steelbacks In Tier Two Opener

Leicestershire Women succumbed to a heavy 185-run defeat to Northamptonshire Steelbacks on the opening day of their 2025 campaign.

Michaela Kirk, on loan from The Blaze, posted an unbeaten 125 for the visitors, before Ella Phillips snared 4/17 from nine overs on a difficult day for the Foxes.

Away skipper Anisha Patel won the toss and elected to bat first at Uptonsteel County Ground. Leicestershire named five debutants, as Ellen Watson, Francesca Sweet, Laura Crofts, Ellie Phillips and Emma Thatcher all made their first Foxes appearances.

Thatcher, a left-arm seamer previously of Derbyshire, made early inroads into the away order, bowling both May Drinkell (10) and Amelia Kemp (19) in the opening exchanges to leave Northants 44/2 after 15 overs.

New ball partner Phillips was equally impressive, if without reward, bowling five overs for just nine runs in tandem with Thatcher’s opening spell.

The opening wicket brought Kirk to the crease, and although she lost Lenny Sims (4) to birthday girl April Herathge, she oozed class throughout the innings.

She added 123 with Beth Ascott, before the latter edged Laura Crofts behind to wicketkeeper Sophie Bennett for 45. It didn’t disturb Kirk’s progress, however, as she completed a 109-ball (13x4) century with a single off Herathge midway through the 44th.

Crofts and Bennett combined again to dismiss Gemma Marriott, stumped by some astute glovework from Bennett for 24. Northants 228/5 after 45 overs.

Ella Phillips (6) was then run out by more sharp fielding, this time from Lucy Weston, arrowing the ball stumps-bound from mid off.

Kirk took 11 runs off Phillips’ final over to finish unbeaten on 125 from 126 balls, and take Northants to 264/6. Thatcher (10-1-38-2) and Crofts (9-0-62-2) with two apiece on debut.

Leicestershire’s reply got off to the worst possible start, as captain Becki Brooker was bowled by Bethan Robinson for a golden duck.

Things only got tougher as Bennett (0), Flora Davies (4), Weston (0), and Sweet (1) all fell in quick succession to leave the Foxes 9/5 inside six overs.

Watson struck three boundaries, including a smart reverse sweep for four, before she was caught by Kemp off Phillips for 18 midway through the 14th.

An incredibly watchful two from 44 balls from Crofts was ended when she was adjudged leg before to away skipper Patel, with Leicestershire now 47/7.

D’Nica Roff top scored with 23 from number eight, but a late procession of wickets handed victory to the Steelbacks by 185 runs.

Leicestershire return to action next Sunday against Worcestershire Rapids at Uppingham School.