Worcestershire Women’s Rapids stars Sophie Beech and Bryony Gillgrass returned to UK shores this week, having represented England in their recent U19 tri-series against Australia and Sri Lanka.
Featuring in a six-match series consisting of two One Day International’s and four T20 fixtures, the Rapids duo showcased their skills playing both alongside and against some of the best talent on offer across the age group.
The pair opened their account against Australia in a 50-over warm-up contest, where Sophie (19) made a promising start in the middle order, with Bryony left little time at the back end of the innings, making seven, as England were restricted to 153 all out.
All-rounder Bryony showed her skills with the ball, however, recording impressive figures of 2-18 from her 4.4 overs, but her side was unable to prevent Australia from achieving a three-wicket victory.
Sophie once again made a positive start to her innings in the first competitive game of the tour against the same opponents a few days later, making 22 from 33 balls as England were bowled out for 166, with Bryony’s 1-27 from five overs in a losing cause as Australia prevailed once again.
Sri Lanka followed in the next One Day match, where Bryony this time showed her class with the bat, making an excellent 35 from 60 balls in tough conditions, as England came up just short, bowled out for 118 in reply to Sri Lanka’s 170 all out.
The fourth match of the tour saw the girls take on the old enemy once again, where Sophie was promoted to open the batting, registering 10 in what was an examining day for the entire England outfit.
After falling to an agonising eight-run defeat to Sri Lanka in the girls’ second T20 match of the series, both Rapids stars were deployed as top-order batters but were unable to find their best form as England were well-beaten by a disciplined and clinical Australia side.
Rounding off the tour with a final T20 fixture against Sri Lanka, Bryony had time to help herself to one more wicket, an excellent caught and bowled as England U19’s rounded off their tour with another closely run contest.
The girls, now back home, will return to Worcestershire to join up with the Rapids squad and begin their preparations for another summer brimming with opportunities at New Road.
