Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Rich Pyrah and his players embark upon what they hope will be the first of three ‘finals’ in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
Head coach Rich Pyrah is hoping last month’s T20 final disappointment can positively impact Yorkshire’s bid for silverware in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, which has reached crunch stage for the county.
Yorkshire know that a maximum points, five-point win over Kent at Canterbury on Saturday (10.30am) in their final group game will qualify them for the semi-finals, where they will almost certainly take on Middlesex away.
The White Rose currently sit fourth in the table, holding the final qualifying spot with 20 points.
They are level on points with fifth-placed Worcestershire and have a far superior net run-rate. Gloucestershire are also in the race on 18 point, with Yorkshire’s also much better than theirs.
It may be that Yorkshire don’t need to win to qualify, with Worcestershire travelling to face leaders Middlesex on Saturday. Middlesex have won all eight group games. Gloucestershire visit out of contention Leicestershire.
But Pyrah’s side simply can’t take that chance. They have to assume a win versus second-bottom Kent is needed.
“I’ve said, ‘We’ve potentially got three finals now’. Saturday’s a final for us, and then it would be knockout cricket.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Maddie Ward dispensed of the wicketkeeping gloves against Northamptonshire on Monday midway through the home chase of 260, instead bowling spin. She may do the same at Kent with Lauren Winfield-Hill available once again and leg-spinner Olivia Thomas having picked up a foot injury.
“We’ve spoken about learning from the final in the Blast and not showing up.
“I’ve asked somebody to go and grab it.
“Again, it will be great learning for them.”
Yorkshire have endured a difficult August, losing three of their four games to threaten their chances of progression.
Most recently, they were beaten by Northamptonshire Steelbacks at Wantage Road on Monday, when they hosts chased down a 260-target to win by six wickets.
“What it does highlight in these performances the last four weeks, the reliance we’ve had on senior players, senior batters. Losing Lauren, Sterre and Georgie Boyce, who played for us quite a bit in the Blast.
“It shows that some of our batters have still got a lot of work to do. That’s the learning we’ve taken from this.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWPix.com. Lauren Winfield-Hill is set to return to Yorkshire colours having captained the Oval Invincibles in the Hundred.
“Now is the time we’re going to see the ones who really stand up in pressure situations.”
Yorkshire will have club captain Lauren Winfield-Hill available to them at Canterbury with the Oval Invincibles having been knocked out of the Hundred.
The availability of Rachel Slater and Sterre Kalis is to be decided.
Pyrah said: “Slats has got a bit of a niggle, that’s why she hasn’t played much in the Hundred (only once).
“Sterre has played a lot of cricket, and she has some Holland stuff coming up as well as going back on loan to Tier 1 with Warwickshire.”
And of Saturday’s clash, the former White Rose men’s all-rounder added: “It’s a long-term project we’re thinking about and the progression of players, but results matter.
“There’s excitement for this, but there has been all year from the girls.
Picture by Tom Dulat/Getty Images. Kent captain Megan Belt.
“They’re highly motivated to win. So it’s great. We’re looking forward to Saturday.”
Kent are out of contention for the semi-finals having only won one of their eight matches to date, losing the other seven. They’re second-bottom in the table, ahead of only Derbyshire.
The Spitfires were beaten away at Gloucestershire on Monday, by six wickets in defence of their 175 all out total.
They are captained by off-spinner Megan Belt and are coached by former Kent men’s batter James Hockley.
Group leaders Middlesex, along with Glamorgan and Northamptonshire Steelbacks, are already qualified for next month’s semi-finals, which will be played on either September 6 and 7.
