When Beth Langston was confirmed on a retainer contract for the Northern Diamonds in early July, director of cricket James Carr spoke of her ability to set the tone with the new ball.
A fast bowler with England experience, Langston has played county cricket for both home county Essex and, in recent years, Yorkshire.
She is closing in on 100 wickets for both county sides, with her career littered with examples of how she has set the tone in ideal fashion.
Let’s look at her four summers in Yorkshire colours, starting in 2016 (she didn’t play in 2020 as Coronavirus wreaked havoc with the schedule).
In her third match, against Middlesex in August 2016, she claimed 2-17 from seven overs in a one-day Cup clash. The White Rose went on to win.
In May 2018, she claimed 4-26 from 10 overs in another one-day Cup clash with Somerset. Yorkshire won.
In May 2019, she claimed a stunning 5-8 from 10 overs in another one-day Cup match against Warwickshire. Yorkshire won.
A week later, 3-32 from 10 against Lancashire. Yorkshire won.
And finally, in June 2019, 3-19 from four overs in a T20 fixture against Worcestershire. The result? Yes, you guessed it, Langston’s five best personal displays for the White Rose have all led to victories.
Not all of those wickets came with the new ball. Plenty came at the death, highlighting the 28-year-old’s versatility with ball in hand.
