Durham Women are aiming to go three games unbeaten when they take on Hampshire Hawks on Friday night under lights in Chester-le-Street, starting at 6:30pm.
Danielle Hazell has named a squad of 13 as Bess Heath returns to contention following the conclusion of the three match T20 series between England A and New Zealand A.
Durham Cricket are raising awareness for breast cancer in tomorrow’s fixture against Hampshire, donning Limited Edition pink shirts in collaboration with CoppaFeel.
Durham come into this one having lost just one of their last four matches after sharing the points with The Blaze in a washout at Trent Bridge on Sunday and sit seventh in the Women’s Vitality Blast on 14 points, just one point behind Essex in sixth.
Hampshire boast the world-class talent of Ellyse Perry in their side and sit fifth in the league table with 21 points, having lost by eight wickets against Lancashire on Wednesday after posting 174/5.
Words from Emily Windsor
Making my Durham debut was really special. Since I’ve moved up here, that’s what you dream of. It was pretty hard getting the injury at the time that I did but I’ve had great support from the Club on my recovery journey. To get out on the pitch with the group was really special and I really enjoyed it.
I had my surgery around 10 and a half weeks ago now and I’ve been pretty annoying to all the physios I’d say. Post-surgery I was pushing them on my next steps because I just wanted to get back on the park and around the group as quickly as possible.
I think it’s quite hard coming to a new team with a group of people that knew each other from the (Northern) Diamonds. To be out of that environment when you’re injured can be quite tough. I did find it tricky. Since I’ve got back in with the group it’s been great fun and I’m loving it up here.
Durham is definitely a club that is coming together and is growing. We want to keep pushing our performances, we are a club that want to win. I know the group is doing everything they can to keep developing and hopefully that will cash in with the results at the end of the season.
Squad v Hampshire Hawks (11 July)
Hollie Armitage*, Suzie Bates, Leah Dobson, Katherine Fraser, Abi Glen, Bess Heath, Katie Levick, Emma Marlow, Mia Rogers+, Phoebe Turner, Sophia Turner, Mady Villiers, Emily Windsor
Opposition Corner
Captain: Georgia Adams
Overseas players: Charli Knott (Australia), Ellyse Perry (Australia)
Key winter moves: The Vipers to Hawks transition saw more outgoings than incomings – with the likes of Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Georgia Elwiss, Emily Windsor, Alice Monaghan and Charlie Dean all departing. With younger players given more chances and responsibility. But one new face looms large – the Australian great Ellyse Perry.
The big question: Will Ellyse Perry get Hawks over the line when she arrives? There is huge excitement about Perry’s signing but her introduction at Chesterfield on July 4, with six matches to go, may well be perfectly timed to get them to Finals Day, but equally Hampshire could be only playing for pride.
Wildcard watch: Mary Taylor. The fast bowler missed the start of the season with a finger injury but her return in the Vitality County Cup saw her take a four for 26 in an innings none of her team-mates went at under 10s and Surrey smashed 237. A bustling and uber-accurate presence with the ball, Taylor is also more than capable of bunting late-innings runs.
Final thought: The likes of Ella McCaughan, Rhianna Southby, and Bex Tyson massively stepped up in the first Metro Bank One-Day Cup block to fill the experience void, and send Hampshire top of the 50-over table. A replication of that, and Maia Bouchier shaking off her Ashes disappointments, put Hawks in a good position to continue the proud record of women’s cricket at Utilita Bowl. Paul Prichard and co. have seamlessly made sure there has been no disruption since Charlotte Edwards’ exit.
Match Centre
The Club’s match centre will be in operation for the fixture with live scorecards, statistics & video highlights as they happen. You can watch the game live via Durham’s match centre and the match will also be available on Durham’s YouTube channel. Durham Cricket will have full coverage on social media, with a full match report at the close.