Middlesex Women completed a perfect Metro Bank One-Day Cup group stage yesterday, sealing a ninth straight win with a 40-run victory over Worcestershire Rapids in a rain-affected contest at Merchant Taylors’ School.
The visitors were bowled out for 177 in 49 overs, with Hannah Davis and Katie Wolfe starring with the ball, taking 4/42 and 3/26 respectively. Sarah Pearson added two wickets, while captain Saskia Horley was the most economical, conceding just 21 runs from nine overs, including four maidens. In reply, Middlesex reached 145/5 in 28 overs before persistent rain ended the match, well ahead of the DLS target. Artemis Downer top-scored with 44, while Horley struck 32 from 31 balls to see her side comfortably home alongside Gaya Gole, who chipped in with 18 off 16.
After Worcestershire won the toss, Middlesex bowled first, making a steady start through Wolfe, who gave little away before making the initial breakthrough in the ninth over, bowling Rapids skipper Clare Boycott for 2. Pearson followed her lead in the next over, trapping Ruby Davis lbw for a duck, before Hannah Davis then bowled Bryony Gillgrass for 2 to leave Worcestershire struggling at 46/3 after 13 overs.
Opener Gwen Davies held firm, however, and together with Poppy Davies began to rebuild. It took until the 19th over for Hannah Davis to end the partnership, trapping Poppy lbw for 14, but Gwen continued to anchor the innings. At the halfway stage Worcestershire had moved to 103/4, though the run rate remained under control thanks to tight spells from Horley and Downer.
The key wicket came when Pearson, returning for a second spell, removed Gwen Davies for a commendable 69, trapped lbw. From there Middlesex were in control, as Wolfe had Olivia Gough caught by Downer for 18 before bowling Caitlin Baker-Smith for 4, and Davis wrapped up her four-wicket haul with two in quick succession. The innings ended on 177 when Downer and Sproul combined for the run-out of Charlotte Roberts.
Downer and Finty Trussler opened the chase for Middlesex and built steadily on a tricky surface against some quality bowling. Trussler struck 18 before falling in the ninth over, leaving Middlesex 53/1 after the first powerplay. Georgia Irving was next to go for 5, caught by Boycott off Flora Bertwistle, bringing Horley to the crease.
Downer continued to accumulate runs but was dismissed for 44 just as the rain arrived, with Middlesex 91/3 in the 20th over. After a delay, a gap in the weather allowed play to eventually resume with a revised target of 163 in 42 overs. Horley kept the chase moving at pace, striking freely and ensuring Middlesex stayed comfortably ahead of the DLS par. Though a couple more wickets fell, Gole joined her to add 18 brisk runs, and the pair rotated strike well as the rain returned to confirm a 40-run win.
That result seals an unbeaten group stage for Middlesex, with nine wins from nine, and first place in the standings, eight points clear of second. A home semi-final now awaits against Yorkshire, to be played at Radlett Cricket Club on Sunday 7 September.
We look forward to welcoming supporters for what promises to be another thrilling step in this campaign.
Middlesex Women
Worcestershire Rapids Women
