Worcestershire Women’s Rapids Head Coach Ed Wilson said he was encouraged by the “execution of skills under pressure” after his bowlers stood up under pressure to clinch victory over Leicestershire Foxes Women via an extraordinary bowl off.
With rain curtailing the match after just three balls of the Foxes reply to Worcestershire’s 72-8, both teams found themselves in unchartered territory when the umpires confirmed play had been abandoned for the day and a bowl off at the indoor school would determine who would progress into the next round of the County Cup.
In a cagey affair, the Rapids came out on top, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat as Caitlin Baker Smith and Jess Beach starred for their side, collecting three wickets between them as the visitors squeezed into the third round of the cup in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Wilson, said he was proud of all his bowlers and the manner in which they adapted to the unprecedented situation.
“The bowl out is pretty new to all of us. Both the Leicestershire coach and I were discussing it and both said we had never really seen one let alone be involved in one.
“But for our girls, to step up when the pressure is really on, takes some serious courage and a whole lot of guts, so that was really good to see.
“There was lots of nerves! Caitlin steps up at just 16 and hits with both of her deliveries which was great. Jess, our leading bowler if you like, steps up first and hits as well, just to be able to execute your skills under that much pressure is so impressive.
“We wanted to go first, if we had of won that toss we would have bowled, just because we felt like if you can nick a couple early on you can apply some pressure.
“They went first and missed which kind of opened it up for us, and then we ended up winning with two balls to spare.”
Despite securing their place in the next round in a salivating tie with Tier One giants, Surrey, the Rapids may well have been staring down the barrel of a very different outcome had the rain not forced a premature end to Leicestershire’s run chase.
A frustrating first innings saw wickets fall at crucial times for Clare Boycott’s side, with the Foxes tightening their grip from the outset in a top-order collapse that saw the visitors reduced to 26-5.
Meg Bishop (25) top-scored and batted admirably for her side, but Wilson explained that the group must break the shackles with the bat if they are to unleash their full potential in T20 cricket, starting next Friday when the Rapids return to Uptonsteel Grace Road to face the Foxes in their opening Vitality Blast T20 fixture of 2026.
“We have to come back here on Friday and make a lot of improvements if we want to come away with the right result.
“Last year we struggled in T20 cricket and we have spoken a lot about being braver and more aggressive, trying to hit more boundaries at the top, etc.
“But it is one thing to say it, actually going out there and doing it is another thing entirely. We weren’t able to dominate the powerplay as we would have liked and Leicestershire looked in control.
“I think we are in a bit of situation at the moment where we find ourselves kind of in between how we used to play and how we want to play. Once that clicks, it will all come together.
“The messaging won’t change, there is nothing to fear and we should absolutely try and express ourselves.”
