Talismanic fast bowler Beth Langston assessed today’s landslide win over Sussex at Hove and said: “I think that was a much better reflection of everything we’ve been working on over the winter.”
Yorkshire Women were beaten in last Saturday’s Metro Bank One-Day Cup 2 opener, by 114 runs against Worcestershire at Headingley.
Today, they put that behind them in grand style, winning by nine wickets against the Sharks at The 1st Central County Ground in a game which lasted only 45.4 overs in total.
Sussex were bowled out for 77 in 33 overs, with Langston helping to set the tone via an impressive two-wicket new-ball burst. Captain Lauren Winfield-Hill then led the chase with a fine unbeaten 47.
Langston and Winfield-Hill were just two of a host of performers on the South Coast, sealing a five-point return from their second fixture of the summer.
“Really happy with that performance, especially after the disappointment of last week,” continued Langston.
“We know that wasn’t how we want to play our cricket, so it was really good to just come back out today and show what we’re all about as a team. It was nice that it all came together.
“We know what went wrong last week, and we worked hard in training this week. It was great to see that it went a lot better for us.”
From very early on, Yorkshire had Sussex under the cosh, with Langston, new-ball partner Amelia Love and off-spinner Claudie Cooper starting impressively. Love struck once and Cooper twice, leaving Sussex 31-5 and in a hole they just couldn’t get out of.
“That’s something we’ve been working on and have spoken about in our plans – just trying to not give them any freebies,” Langston continued.
“It’s just about trying to apply that pressure and make them have to do something.
“We know we’ve got the skills to apply that pressure and make them have to do something, and today it worked.”
Langston struck three times with the ball in defeat to Worcestershire last week, added to two more wickets today. So her start to the season has been impressive.
So too has that of 16-year-old Love, with whom she shared the new ball today. After four wickets last week, she added one more today.
“She’s been great so far, including all of the games she played on tour in Abu Dhabi,” said Langston.
“Her consistency for someone so young is really impressive, and she’s pretty calm and level as well. She’s got good pace, and that will only continue to increase as she gets a bit older. I’ve really enjoyed working with her.”
On new signing Cooper, she said: “Claudie’s been great coming here (from Surrey). Just really consistent and skilful. Lots of good change-ups and good off her own bowling, as we saw today.
“She’s happy to bowl at any stage in the innings, which is handy. She’s settled in well up North as well, and it’s good to see her going nicely.”
Then, with the bat, there were no dramas as Winfield-Hill and opening partner Erin Thomas (25) shared 74 for the first wicket to all but complete the chase.
Langston added: “It was just clinical from those two. They batted really well and put the bad balls away.
“It was good to see them get some runs and finish it off nice and quickly.
“And I think that will give us a lot of confidence going into the next few weeks.”
Yorkshire face Derbyshire twice next weekend, first on Saturday at Derby’s County Ground in this competition and then at Harrogate on Monday in the first round of the new County T20 Cup.
