As the old joke goes, some say the best thing to come out of Lancashire is the M62. Well, Yorkshire Women’s top order batter Rebecca Duckworth is hoping to test that theory with a weight of runs over the next couple of years!
Prestonian Duckworth has signed a two-year deal at Headingley having enjoyed her stay on the right side of the Pennines with the Northern Diamonds, who she joined ahead of the 2023 campaign.
Duckworth, aged 24, is an emerging batter with a good amount of senior experience behind her, be it for the Diamonds or for Lancashire Thunder in regional cricket. She has also played regular county cricket for the Red Rose.
But, despite this, she has only embarked upon life as a full-time professional in the last few months.
A product of the Penwortham club, where her brother Ed – a football league referee – also plays, Duckworth played two memorable innings for the Diamonds last summer.
They may not have been headline grabbing centuries such as ones played by the likes of Lauren Winfield-Hill and Sterre Kalis in recent summers.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Rebecca Duckworth and Rachel Slater (l), in the foreground, celebrate a Northern Diamonds victory this summer.
But there’s no reason why Duckworth can’t progress to such heights after hitting 51 against Southern Vipers in a 50-over win at Headingley in September.
In June, she also hit an unbeaten 21 in a T20 win over Lancashire Thunder on an incredibly tricky pitch at Durham when the Diamonds won by five wickets chasing 62. The right-hander was the only batter in the match to pass 20.
“When I look back on those games, I felt really nervous beforehand,” she reflected. “But I had that real grit in my belly. And I think that’s when I’ve played my best cricket. I had something to prove.
“Even though I really enjoyed batting at Headingley against Vipers for my maiden fifty, that game against Thunder up at Durham was really important for me.
“The game was in the balance, but I managed to hold my nerve and get us over the line. I was really happy with myself for that.
“But the game at Headingley was something I want to do more of. I know I’ve got it in me. It’s just doing that more consistently.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Rebecca Duckworth is hugged by Sterre Kalis whilst on Northern Diamonds duty. The pair are celebrating New Year together in Sydney.
Having graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a degree in Sports Science and from Manchester Metropolitan with a Masters, Duckworth is now full steam ahead with her cricket.
She continued: “Although I enjoyed Uni and studying, cricket is ultimately what I wanted to do. After a few years of juggling things, I can put my full commitment into cricket and give it everything.
“Turning pro has been a long time coming. I’ve worked really hard over the last few years, so I’m glad it’s finally happened.”
Duckworth describes her batting style as a hybrid between old school and new age batting.
“I’ve always played traditionally, but over the last few years I’ve developed a lot of strength and have got a lot more power in my game,” she said.
“I felt like a bit of a shell of a player two years ago in comparison to now, and I’m so glad to have got this contract and I can progress to where I want to be and show people I can play how I want to play.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Rebecca Duckworth pulls during a vital, match-clinching 21 against her former side Lancashire Thunder in June’s Charlotte Edwards Cup T20 win for Northern Diamonds at Durham.
“When I first came over to Headingley, I was in a bit of a rough patch with my cricket. I wasn’t particularly enjoying it, so the last two years have been massive.
“I’m loving my cricket again. I’ve absolutely loved it here.
“Turning up at Headingley the first day was a bit strange, but I’m so glad that I did it because it’s definitely paid off.
“The Diamonds were such a good group to be around, the same with Yorkshire now. All the coaches have put a lot of confidence back into my game, which is something I was lacking.
“I’ve also made a lot of friends, which is really nice.”
That last comment is indicated by the fact she has travelled to Sydney to spend New Year with county colleague Kalis, who is in the Harbour City playing winter grade cricket.
Picture by Gordon Cricket Club. Sterre Kalis is playing club cricket in Australia. Rebecca Duckworth is doing the same during the second half of the winter.
Duckworth is doing similar from early January in Queensland with Gold Coast Dolphins, and the pair will meet Yorkshire’s squad in Abu Dhabi for their late March pre-season tour of Abu Dhabi.
It is three-month spell which will see her act as a senior player in a club side, setting her up ideally for her first season in Yorkshire colours when she will also be a senior head in coach Rich Pyrah’s squad.
“I’ve been crying out for more responsibility,” she said.
“I know when I first came into the Diamonds set-up, there were some unbelievable batters there and it would be hard for me to play a good number of games. I had to be patient for my chance. But now the chance is there for me to be a main batter and try and win us a good number of games.”
Rebecca’s brother Ed is certainly an influence on her career, and a fascinating one given his career as a referee in the English Football League.
He has progressed up from non-league football in 2019 and has refereed games in League One this season alongside acting as a fourth official in Championship fixtures.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Rebecca looks up to brother Ed, who is a referee in the English Football League.
Rebecca added: “My brother plays at Penwortham, where I played, and he still does until the football season arrives.
“With his career and what he’s done, I really look up to him. We speak a lot, and he’s the first person to criticise me and advise me. I definitely take a lot from him.
“Talking about mental resilience and mental strength, being confident in your body language and what you do is absolutely massive in refereeing. And that’s something I admire about Ed. He’s confident and backs himself a lot.”
