Lizzie Scott says the Northern Diamonds must be more disciplined with the ball in order to arrest their losing streak in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. 

The new ball seamer and her colleagues were unable to defend a target of 164 in 19 overs during today’s rain-affected clash with the Central Sparks at Headingley, which the visitors won by five wickets with two balls to spare.

The Diamonds conceded 32 extras, including 16 wides, as they lost their third game in a row and their fifth in all across the nine games so far in the competition.

It came after the champions had posted a strong 223-4 in 34 overs batting first, an area of their game which had let them down in the previous two fixtures against the Blaze and Thunder.

They now head to Arundel next Saturday hoping to marry both areas of their game during a clash with old rivals Southern Vipers.

England Under 19s star Scott said: “We kind of just threw the game away a bit with extras. There were 32 extras, and in a 19-over game that’s not really acceptable. 

“But we’ve reflected on that as a team and have decided that we’re going to be really disciplined in the next week in training.

“The rain might have been a factor and could have affected focus a bit. There was a lot of wind about as well. Headingley is just an absolute road, and the outfield was rapid. The ball just flies.

“The batters really stepped up today considering the difficulties of the last few games. We were in a really good position, but the bowlers we just gave too much width and their batters cashed in.

“Cricket’s all about momentum, so we need to regroup. It’s a big game against the Vipers next week.”

There was something much more positive for Scott, 18, to talk about, however – her maiden call-up to play in next month’s Hundred competition.

Earlier this week, Scott was picked up by champions Oval Invincibles, for whom she will play alongside Lauren Winfield-Hill. It will be no surprise to learn that she can’t wait.

“I’m absolutely delighted with it,” she said. “I was really hoping for a call-up, and I’m over the moon. 

“In the T20s (Charlotte Edwards Cup), I was trying hard to perform for the team but to get noticed as well. To get picked up by a London team, it’s going to be a really exciting few weeks for me. 

“I’m at the stage of my life where I’m meeting loads of new people and having different life experiences like the Under 19s World Cup in the winter. To spend the month down there is going to be amazing.

“Being alongside and learning from the likes of Marizanne Kapp, it’s going to be great.”

At the end of May, Scott claimed a superb 1-11 from three overs and hit the winning runs as the Diamonds beat the South East Stars at the Oval. It may well have been a performance key to this contract.

“I think so, maybe, yeah,” she smiled. 

“Also, the assistant coach at the Invincibles, Laura Marsh, was in South Africa for the Under 19s World Cup with me in January. 

“When the head coach rang me (Jon Batty), he said that I’d really impressed her.”

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