Head Coach, Ed Wilson was left frustrated at his side’s lack of batting partnerships as his side fell to a heavy away defeat to Northants in the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
After losing the toss and restricting the hosts to 161, the visitors looked in very good position to notch up their third win of the campaign, but a top score of 20 from Sophie Beech left the Rapids well short in reply.
Wilson was quick to highlight the lack of partnerships as a major stumbling block in the chase.
“We just never batted in partnerships for sustained periods which put us on the back foot. I feel like that is the first this season in 50 over cricket that we have failed as a batting unit.
“Northants bowled well in credit to them, they backed it up in the field and they hit the stumps more than we did.
“In both games we have recently played against them they have been really well drilled.”
Despite the frustration watching the second-innings unfold, Wilson, was visibly impressed with the performance of bowler Jess Beach.
After the Steelbacks had looked like re-building midway through the innings, Beach produced a sensational spell to rip through the tail of the hosts, claiming a five-wicket haul on the way.
“Jess ripped through the tail and put us in a really good place. The length that she bowled was spot on.
“All five wickets she took were bowled or LBW, you dont get those if you arent bowling at the stumps.
“That has been our messaging all season and Jess has been working hard at her game so its always nice to see it come off out in the middle.”
With four changes to the matchday squad, there is cause for optimism amongst the group, as the Head Coach was able to try some new combinations.
“We had to deal with a few changes to the squad today, so it was really positive to see some new faces out there and see how they all shaped up as we move forward into the next block of games.”
