Erin Burns is hoping the Northern Diamonds give her the odd sleepless night in September – by going on to win the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy title.
Australian all-rounder Burns is making the last appearance of her successful overseas spell with the region on Sunday, against Blaze at Lindum (10.30am).
She is unavailable to finish the season with the Diamonds, with four games remaining in September post the Hundred – which Burns is briefly involved in as a replacement player with London Spirit.
Burns is supremely confident the Diamonds have what it takes to go on and win the 50-over title for a second time. And her faith seems well founded given they are on a five-match winning run and sit second in the table.
Semi-final qualification looks all but certain given they have won seven games out of nine so far. But the 36-year-old wants to strengthen their case before she leaves.
Lincolnshire venue Lindum will be the setting for her last dance with captain Hollie Armitage and co.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Erin Burns takes a return catch against Blaze at Scarborough earlier in the season, one of her 29 wickets for the Diamonds.
“I’ll definitely be following from back home,” said Burns, who steered the chase of 110 on a tricky pitch with 35 not out against Sunrisers at York on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, with my schedule in Australia, I couldn’t be available for the last block after the Hundred.
“But I’ll definitely be cheering them on from afar.
Asked if she is backing the Diamonds to wrestle the title away from champions Southern Vipers, Burns continued: “100 percent, I am.
“The talent and the depth we have in this squad is unbelievable.
“We’ve been able to bring in Beth Langston after a long injury. From a seamer’s depth point of view, it’s one of the best in the country. Hollie’s obviously been batting sensationally for us all year round as well. She’s been in a real purple patch.
“We’ve got such good depth and quality of players. Definitely we’ll be well and truly up there to win that title.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Beth Langston takes the applause after her six wickets at York yesterday. Erin Burns was very impressed.
“We’re second on the table, and it’s been really good to get some momentum recently.
“We have one more game before this block’s finished for the Hundred, and we’d love to finish in style with four wins from four. We’ve played some really good cricket since the end of the T20s.”
Burns’s 35 not out at York on Wednesday came after fast bowler Beth Langston had claimed a fabulous 6-24 to bowl Sunrisers out for just 109 in only her second appearance since August 2022 following ACL knee surgery.
“There’s not too many times I’ve found myself in slip and gully!” she laughed.
“It was awesome.
“I’ve only come in during the season, but I’m privy to the hard work and setbacks Langers has had over the last couple of seasons. To see her come back first game and do what she did was pretty special.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Erin Burns with Diamonds coach Dani Hazell.
“It was the perfect script – conditions and everything – for Langers to come in and do what she does best.
“I’m super happy for her to come back after a long time rehabbing on the sidelines. It was the cherry on top for her.”
Burns has had an impressive summer with the Diamonds.
She has hit 290 runs across the RHF Trophy and Charlotte Edwards from the middle order added to 29 wickets with her off-spinners.
In the CEC, she was the competition’s joint second leading wicket-taker, with her haul including a career best 5-25 in a defeat against Blaze at Trent Bridge.
“It’s been awesome, it really has,” she added.
Picture by YCCC. Lauren Winfield-Hill, Erin Burns, Sophia Turner and Jess Woolston. Burns and Turner were capped at Durham before the opening game of the season against Thunder in April.
“I haven’t spent too much time up in Yorkshire in the past – just a couple of games when I’ve been over in previous seasons. But it’s been sensational.
“The group’s been amazing, the support staff as well. Everyone’s been really welcoming, and the cricket’s been fun as well. If it had been a touch warmer and a bit less rain, it would have been better. But that’s just me being a picky Aussie.
“I’ll be a bit sad to be leaving after the next game because I’ve had a fantastic time.
“Last game on Sunday. It’s a bit surreal how quickly things go when you’re in season. I’m looking forward to it. As I say, fingers crossed, we can get the win.”
Blaze currently sit fifth in the table, six points outside the top four having won five of nine games.
Their season started with three straight losses before beating Diamonds by two wickets chasing 189 at Scarborough on May 1. They started the season with availability issues, including missing talismanic Scottish pair Kathryn and Sarah Bryce because of international duty.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Erin Burns and Sterre Kalis (l) celebrate the Diamonds win over Sunrisers at York on Wednesday.
But they have improved dramatically since.
They won the Charlotte Edwards Cup competition and have won five of their last six matches in this event, including by five wickets chasing 218 against Western Storm at Cheltenham on Wednesday.
