Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Head coach Rich Pyrah presents Hannah Rainey with her cap, on T20 debut for Yorkshire, against Durham on Friday.
Hannah Rainey says she is “delighted” to be back in Yorkshire colours after an incredibly frustrating, injury-hit start to the season which cost her the chance to play at the T20 World Cup with Scotland.
Fast bowler Rainey is a new signing at Headingley for 2026, though she did spend the latter stages of last season on loan with the county from Lancashire and helped win the Tier 2 Metro Bank One-Day Cup title.
But she only played her first game of this season last Friday having missed its first two months because of two separate injuries.
“I had a side strain and then followed that up with a costal cartilage fracture, so a broken rib,” she explained.
Her return to action, though, was an encouraging one as – in a Vitality Blast defeat against Durham at Headingley – she took 2-34 having taken the new ball.
Speaking in preview of the return fixture between the same two counties at Banks Homes Riverside tomorrow afternoon, starting at 2.30pm, she said: “I’m really happy to be back, delighted.
“It’s been incredibly frustrating sat on the sidelines, but I’m really happy to be back and contributing.
“Obviously, I’ve been gutted about the World Cup, but I just tried to sort of think of it as an opportunity to get my name out for Yorkshire and put in performances.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. England all-rounder Sarah Glenn batted at three in her first appearance for Yorkshire. She scored 19 and took one wicket with her leg-spin.
“If I was with Scotland, I wouldn’t be here playing in this competition.
“Look, there’s been a lot of frustration, tears and disappointment in the last few months. But I’m happy to be back and doing what I can for the team.
“It’s still a long season, and we’re only at the start of June. There’s lots of cricket to come.”
Yorkshire head up to the North East still searching for their first win of the Blast, having lost their opening five games.
Given that start, Yorkshire are unlikely qualifiers for July’s Finals Day, with the top four in the nine-team table all advancing. Durham, however, are very much in the mix thanks to four wins in five.
“We just need to find a bit of momentum again,” said Rainey.
“Last year, we did really well in T20 (run to the final of the Blast and the quarter-finals of the knockout County Cup).
“We had a lot of confidence. It was obviously a different tier, but we know the skills are there in this team. It’s just a case of backing yourself to go and do it even though it’s a step up in the levels.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Hannah Rainey has spoken highly of on-loan Lancashire up and comer Alice Clarke, who is with Yorkshire for the rest of 2026.
“There’s still loads to learn, and I think we’re doing that really well. We’re having some really good conversations off the pitch and making sure that when we do lose, we’re making gains from that.
“Hopefully we can get a few wins on the board before the end of the comp.”
Yorkshire were beaten by 21 runs by Durham at Headingley on Friday, the hosts falling short of chasing 156 at 134-8.
Along with Rainey’s return, another positive was the debut innings of 32 late in the chase from on-loan Lancashire wicketkeeper-batter Alice Clarke.
Clarke is playing for the White Rose as a specialist batter and made an encouraging start late last week. The 24-year-old is on loan at Headingley for the rest of the summer. She is a product of Accrington Cricket Club, following the same production line as David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd.
“Alice is a great girl,” added Rainey. “I’ve obviously played with her over at Lancashire for the past couple of years, and I think she’s a really good addition to our squad.
“She’s just a really level head, plays her game and has that sort of quiet confidence about her. She’s quite young, but she does have a bit of experience behind her.
“She’s got the sweeps and reverse sweeps, but she also has all the conventional shots. She’s a well-rounded batter, and she’s great in the field as well when she doesn’t have the gloves on.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Bess Heath scored 36 against Yorkshire in the Blast on Friday having hit 70 against them in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup tie at Scarborough in late April.
Bess Heath top-scored in Durham’s 155-6 at Headingley with 36 before Katie Levick and Sophia Turner struck twice apiece in defence.
Durham’s Australian overseas all-rounder Heather Graham struck three times with her seam and is one of the competition’s leading wicket-takers this season with 12 to her name.
This fixture is part of a T20 double header at the Riverside, with Durham’s men facing Lancashire under lights.
