Despite the disappointment of defeat, opening batter Gwen Davies offered a rallying cry for her teammates after Worcestershire’s stumble in Saturday’s Metro Bank One Day Cup clash against Sussex Sharks, refusing to dwell on the result and instead looking ahead to Monday’s showdown with Northamptonshire with renewed determination.
“It was a really good game of cricket,” Davies reflected, still brimming with competitive energy despite the loss. “Days like Yorkshire aren’t going to come around very often, and we knew that. You can’t really hide away from our fielding today… it let us down. Probably lost us the game if we’re going to be honest.”
It was a starkly honest appraisal from one of the side’s most consistent performers so far this season, but there was no air of panic in her words, just purpose. “We’ll pick ourselves back up, dust ourselves off and go again Monday,” she insisted. “The good thing is we haven’t got long to dwell on it.”
Davies once again delivered with the bat on what she admitted was “not the easiest of pitches,” compiling a gutsy half-century. “It was nice to get a few today,” she said. “It was frustrating not to kick on in Yorkshire, so it felt good to get to 50. But I can’t help but think I left quite a few out there.”
That hunger for more is clear, and it’s emblematic of the new-look top order. Her blossoming partnership with Clare Boycott continues to provide a solid base, and Davies was full of praise for their dynamic. “We trust each other’s game… there’s a hell of a lot of trust there. The right-hand/left-hand combo causes a bit of trouble, and if we’re busy and changing the strike, we’re a pain in the bum!”
That foundation at the top is allowing the likes of Bryony and Amy to play with greater freedom in the middle order. “It’s important for the younger girls,” Davies said. “If Boycs and I can take the shine off the new ball and get through that difficult period, that’s our job done.”
While the result may not have gone Worcestershire’s way, the team still sit in a promising position early in the campaign. “Since the first game at Yorkshire, everybody’s contributed in some way,” Davies noted. “We just need to put it all together now.”
The competition’s new knockout format adds another layer of unpredictability, one Davies clearly relishes. “The FA Cup style is going to keep everyone on their toes. You’re not going to know what you’re going to get, and that’s exciting.”
And if there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s that this group believes in each other. “Coming away from Yorkshire with such a big win gave us massive confidence,” she said. “It reminded us this is a really good squad. We’ve got people waiting in the wings that could easily come in and do a job.”
With belief intact, and a quick turnaround on the cards, Davies and Worcestershire are ready to respond.
“We’ve had an off day. We’ll move on quickly. I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running again in Northants on Monday.”
