Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Maddie Ward became Yorkshire’s youngest ever captain – men or women – yesterday.
Maddie Ward says her team-mates and herself are keen to set the tone at the start of Sunday’s historic Vitality Blast double header at Headingley involving Yorkshire’s women and men.
This weekend will be the first time the county have fielded two teams on the same day at the same venue, and women’s vice captain Ward, who is leading the side at present, can’t wait to get involved.
Yorkshire’s women kick things off at 11am with a Tier 2 clash with Leicestershire Foxes, aiming to win their second successive fixture having beaten Derbyshire Falcons at Headingley yesterday.
The White Rose men then face their Foxes counterparts, including former captain Shan Masood, from 3pm.
“It’ll be nice for us to obviously set the tone, hopefully start the day off with a win and then the lads can follow us,” said wicketkeeper-batter Ward.
“Hopefully we can get a good crowd in. We’ll definitely be staying on to watch the lads, and it will be a great day and a great environment.
“It’s just really nice being under the one club.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Dawid Malan will lead Yorkshire out on Sunday, just as he did against Northamptonshire last Thursday.
“We’ve spent quite a bit of time with the lads already, doing quite a lot of fitness work with them during the winter.
“I just think it’ll be great for us compete on the same day, and hopefully get four points each.”
With Lauren Winfield-Hill currently on loan with Essex, Ward is leading Yorkshire. Yesterday, against Derbyshire, she became the county’s youngest ever captain – male or female – at the age of 20 years and 133 days.
“It’s a massive honour for me to do that,” she said. “It’s something I didn’t necessarily expect to be doing. I’m taking everything as it comes and am just enjoying it.”
Head coach Rich Pyrah added: “Maddie has been great all year, through pre-season. She’s shown good leadership qualities.
“She was pretty calm (against Derbyshire) and made good decisions out there.
“The pleasing thing about it is the way she’s going about her batting now, she looks a real good player. So her game’s moving on quickly, which is great to see.”
