Match Details VS Gloucestershire
Metro Bank One Day Cup: Gloucestershire Women v Worcestershire Rapids Women
Venue: Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol
Date: Saturday 9th August
Scheduled start time: 10:30am
Worcestershire Rapids Women look to go two wins from two games this weekend, as they travel to face Gloucestershire in another important fixture in the Rapids’ hopes to secure knock-out cricket.
On the hunt for a fourth win in the competition this season, Saturday’s date sees the Rapids take on the side one place below them in the table in an eagerly anticipated clash.
Last Time Out
Worcestershire Rapids Women delivered a dominant all-round performance, securing a 101-run victory over Kent Women in the Metro Bank Women’s One Day Cup.
After being put into bat, the Rapids posted 244 all out, thanks to key partnerships and a standout innings from Bryony Gillgrass.
Openers Clare Boycott (43) and Gwen Davies (23) laid a strong foundation with a 56-run stand, weathering early pressure and rotating the strike effectively.
Gillgrass delivered a fluent and authoritative knock, scoring 80 from 78 balls, laced with 9 fours and 3 sixes.
Worcestershire’s bowlers were relentless. Hannah Hardwick and Amy Wheeler led the attack with superb spells, Hardwick taking 3 for 22 in 7 overs and Wheeler 2 for 31 in 7 overs, while Caitlin Baker-Smith 4.5-1-14-3.
Inside The Camp
Hannah Hardwick says she is reaping the rewards of home comforts with the Worcestershire Rapids Women, after a spell away with Warwickshire has seen the all-rounder return and hit the ground running.
Hardwick starred in the 101-run victory over Kent last time out, returning figures of 3-22 from her seven over spell opening the bowling, as the Rapids skittled Kent for 143.
Hardwick, says even after being away, the warm welcome upon her return meant that settling back in was never going to be a problem.
“I think I’ve found my feet easily. I’ve got good history at Worcestershire, so coming back to the girls after a few weeks away felt like I never really left, so I’m feeling pretty good about where I’m at.”
“The mood in the group is really positive, last week’s win gave us a big boost!
“It showed what we’re capable of when we stick to our plans and back ourselves, especially coming back from the blast because everyone is feeling confident, but grounded.
“We’re just focused on carrying that momentum through into the next game on Saturday.”
An all-rounder by trade, Hardwick looked to have filled a big hole in Ed Wilson’s side when she arrived on loan earlier in the season, but hopes of a big impact were dashed when she was recalled to her parent club midway through the Vitality T20 Blast.
Back now and ready to make a big impression, Hardwick is keen to get back to work this weekend with her side in the hopes she can continue to develop all areas of her game.
“There are always areas I want to keep improving, but I’ve been happy with how I’ve contributed recently.
“I am just trying to stay consistent, keep learning, and enjoy my cricket — hopefully that continues to reflect in my performances.
“I’m really looking forward to Saturday. we’ve got some good momentum behind us and as a group we’re feeling positive.
“Personally, I just want to keep building on recent performances and play my role for the team, it’ll be a competitive game against Gloucestershire so we’re all ready to get stuck in!”
The Opposition
Gloucestershire Women
Gloucestershire head into Saturday’s fixture on the back of a resounding win themselves, after winning by a handsome margin of 119-runs against Sussex Women last time out.
Starring that day was bowler Chloe Skelton, who returned excellent figures of 10-1-30-4, in a spell that ripped through Sussex’s lower-order.
Skelton also chipped in with a well-made half-century, while Georgia Cant top scored with a superb 91 that guided her side to victory with comfort.
The hosts are six points behind the Rapids in the Women’s League Two table, but a win on Saturday would close the gap on and put keep them firmly in the hunt for knockout qualification.
Squad vs Gloucestershire Women
