Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Vice captain Maddie Ward is targeting a full house of Vitality Blast North Group wins.
Maddie Ward wants Yorkshire to go to Vitality Blast Finals Day at Northampton next Saturday in style.
The county qualified for the Tier 2 showpiece late last month having won their first five games. They achieved that feat with three rounds remaining in the North Group.
Vice captain Ward is leading the White Rose in this competition due to regular skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill being out on loan with Tier 1 side Essex.
Since qualifying, Yorkshire have extended their winning run to six games. But wicketkeeper-batter Ward wants more.
“If we go eight from eight, people will be wary of us. It’s a real statement, isn’t it,” said the 20-year-old.
“That would really show what we’re about.”
Yorkshire wrap up their group stage campaign this weekend. First up are Leicestershire Foxes at the Uptonsteel County Ground, Grace Road on Friday afternoon (2.30pm).
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Beth Langston was back in action during Sunday’s win over Northamptonshire following a knee injury.
That fixture is the first part of a Blast double header day with Yorkshire’s men, who also face the Foxes at 6.30pm.
On Sunday afternoon, Yorkshire’s women play their final group game against Worcestershire Rapids at Visit Worcestershire New Road.
Ward continued: “We’re in good form at the minute and are working well as a team.
“It would be nice to keep the wins going right through to Finals Day. That’s what we want to do.
“It’s not the right time to be complacent. We know we’re at Finals Day, but we’re going to keep playing, working hard and keep doing what we’re doing.”
Yorkshire’s next two opponents, Leicestershire and Worcestershire, are in a four-way battle for the second Finals Day berth from the North Group.
The White Rose county sit on 29 points, winning every game bar one with the full five points on offer, including a bonus point. Friday’s opponents the Foxes are second on 13 points having won three and lost three.
Picture by John Heald. Academy leg-spinner Holly Garton impressed whilst bowling two overs for seven runs against Northamptonshire.
The Rapids are third on 11 points, with Northamptonshire fourth and Derbyshire fifth on 10 and eight points respectively.
In the South Group, Middlesex and Glamorgan are already qualified.
This will be the third Blast double header which Yorkshire’s women and men have played so far this season but the first one away from home.
“It’s been great for us as a group,” said Ward. “It’s been nice to get a win before the lads play.
“They’ve been decent crowds in as well at Headingley, which is nice to know that we have that support.
“I think they’re brilliant. We love them.”
Last time out, Yorkshire beat Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Headingley on Sunday, by 53 runs as they successfully defended a total of 167-4.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Opener Georgie Boyce celebrates her half-century at Headingley on Sunday and will bid to continue her good form at Grace Road on Friday.
On-loan opener Georgie Boyce continued her good form with 55 off 50 balls before, in a 114-4 reply, Ria Fackrell returned 2-19 from four overs of off-spin.
Fellow offie Claudie Cooper also struck adding to a run out.
“Boycey was class up top as usual,” reflected Ward. “She’s been a sort of anchor for our team in this competition and everyone else plays around her.
“We got a decent score on the board, and all the bowlers backed it up with the ball. They were great. We were good in the field as well.”
Fackrell and Cooper played as part of a four-strong spin attack including leg-spin duo Olivia Thomas and Holly Garton – both from the Academy.
Thomas bowled three overs for 16 and Garton two overs for seven.
They were supplemented by the seam of Beth Langston and Rachel Slater, and it indicates Yorkshire’s squad depth that someone like a Jess Woolston missed out on selection.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Yorkshire’s off-spin twins Claudie Cooper and Ria Fackrell.
“We do have lots of depth and quality in our squad,” added Ward.
“Even the younger girls are pushing for places. Garts came in on Sunday and bowled exceptionally.
“I can’t really ask any more. No one’s done anything wrong. It’s just what’s right on the day.
“We’re lucky with the variety we’ve got. Liv and Garts are different style leg-spinners, but they work really well together. It’s the same with Claudie and Ria. They’re different styles of off-spin, but they’re definitely very effective.”
In the reverse fixture, on June 8 at Headingley, Yorkshire beat Leicestershire by 26 runs.
They were bowled out for 127, with Boyce’s 46 leading the way. In reply, the Foxes were bowled out for 101 as Cooper, Thomas and Fackrell all struck twice apiece added to one each for Garton and Woolston.
