Keen to build upon last year’s strong finish to life in Tier 2, Worcestershire Women’s Rapids were looking to get off to a winning start in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, away at Sussex Sharks Women on Sunday.
With the home side electing to bat first and posting an imposing total of 341/3, Gwen Davies led the Worcestershire chase making an impressive 52.
Despite a handful of encouraging cameos, the visitors lost wickets at crucial stages as they fell to a 155 run defeat, after which Head Coach Ed Wilson reflected on a frustrating season opener.
“It’s just disappointing we didn’t manage to get a little bit closer really.
“Needing 342 is always going to be a tough ask and combining that with losing wickets in regular intervals, it was quite frustrating.
“It would have been nice if we had got somewhere closer to their score but as a first run out with a few new players in the side it is probably to be a little expected.”
Having restricted Sussex to 38-0 in the first 10 overs, Wilson was keen to to highlight his side’s impressive start with the ball, keeping tabs on the opening pair despite being left wicketless.
“We can learn a lot from that, because as well as we bowled in those first 10 overs they didn’t give their wicket away.
“They showed the ability to get through those tough spells and then cashed in later on when two of their girls went on to make 100s.
“At one point we were at 90/1 and looking good but didn’t go and kick on and make the impact that their girls did. We can definitely learn from that.”
Gwen Davies topped the Worcestershire batting card, utilising her experience to navigate her way to an excellent 52.
Impressed with Davies’ work, Wilson was quick to praise the opener, alongside younger members of his squad.
“She looked really good, although she’s the first one to admit that she probably should have kicked on, but there were a couple of other good contributions today.
“I thought Caitlin Baker-Smith did well, she’s 16 and batting at three and she went and got 20 off 50 balls having looked really comfortable.
“Ebony got 28 and looked really good also, so there were some good cameos but when you’re chasing a big score you need someone to go on and make 150 and win the game.”
The Women’s Rapids are back in action next Sunday at Himley Cricket Club, hosting Northumberland, as they get begin their Vitality T20 Blast campaign.
With his squad continuing to develop, Wilson urged his Worcestershire side to take the lessons learned at Hove into next weekend’s short-format fixture.
“I want us to learn from our mistakes. If we can build on today and learn from it and keep improving, that’s all we’re looking for really.”
“It’s a long season and you don’t win or lose anything on the first day, so hopefully the girls learn and we kick on quickly.”
