Katie Levick is hoping a brief time away from Headingley during the ongoing Hundred can be a case of win-win for herself and the Northern Diamonds.
The prolific leg-spinner is currently playing for Birmingham Phoenix and has made an impressive start to her first campaign away from home having played the first two years with the Northern Superchargers.
On her debut for Phoenix last Thursday, ironically against the Superchargers at Headingley, she claimed 1-18 from 20 balls in a defeat.
Yesterday afternoon, in another defeat against Manchester Originals at Emirates Old Trafford, she returned a superb 2-12 from 20, including the wicket of ex-Diamonds team-mate Ami Campbell as Phoenix oh so nearly defended a target of 88, losing only off the last ball of the match.
Levick is one of nine Diamonds players involved in the Hundred, including five of those playing away from Headingley. Sterre Kalis, for example, is also at Birmingham Phoenix, but she hasn’t played in the opening two fixtures.
“It was really nice to come out and bowl well in a new team and environment,” said Sheffield-born star Levick.
“I feel like I’m proving myself all over again as a cricketer. I want to make an impact every time I come on to bowl. That’s really spurring me on. I’ve absolutely loved it, you know.
“I put myself into the draft because I wanted a new experience at this stage in my career. I’m thankful that Birmingham picked me up.
“I’m having a lot of fun and learning from new coaches and team-mates. Hopefully I’ll be able to take that back to the Diamonds with me and push on again.”
Phoenix were bowled out for 87 by the Originals yesterday, with off-spinner Fi Morris claiming a remarkable haul of 5-7 from 16 balls. They were the best bowling figures in Hundred history – women or men.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Katie Levick.
England left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone also claimed four wickets. But neither bowler got Levick, who finished with two not out off three balls at the end.
She smiled: “There are little things. It was the first time I’d batted in the Hundred – I’m not out still in this competition!”
Levick will return to Diamonds duty early next month, with their first of four remaining Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy games coming against Southern Vipers on Tuesday September 5 at South Northumberland CC in Gosforth.
The Diamonds are fourth in the table, five points behind third-placed South East Stars. The top three teams in the group qualify for the knockout stage.
