Jess Woolston revealed how putting into practice some new tricks of the trade worked a treat at Scarborough as the new ball seamer claimed a fabulous five-for today.
Woolston claimed all five wickets with the new ball as the South East Stars slipped to 55-5 when faced with the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy champions.
It was the 20-year-old’s maiden career senior five-for.
England star Sophia Dunkley hit a brilliant unbeaten 101 to help the Stars up to 223 all out in today’s 46-over game following a morning wet outfield.
The Diamonds had their target revised to 178 in 36 overs following afternoon rain, and Sterre Kalis finished 66 not out to lead a batting display which also included key contributions from Lauren Winfield-Hill (45) and Bess Heath (33).
The champions have now won three and lost two out of the first five games.
Stockton-on-Tees star Woolston said: “I’ve been working on my slower balls and variations and how best to disguise it for the batters. A couple of them I rolled my fingers over and took the pace off.
“I tried a few different things that I’ve not done before. I can take confidence from trying something I’ve been working on and it’s come out right.
“There were a few wickets I think I might have got lucky with.
“But Bryony Smith, for example, she was going to hit the ball hard. That was a way I thought I could get her by setting that field (caught in the leg-side).”
On her maiden five-for, Woolston said: “To take my first senior five-for at Scarborough makes it that bit more special, one of the grounds where we all really loving playing.
“Also, sharing the moment with some of the Academy girls and girls I’ve grown up with, it was a really special moment for me.”
When she was rampant with the new ball, the thought of all 10 wickets crossed the mind of on-lookers and team-mates. She continued: “A few were shouting that in my ear, but I just took it as one wicket at a time.
“I didn’t really like looking too far ahead. I just stuck to my plans for each batter and to what I was good at.
“Even though they got a few more runs than we’d have liked, we all back each other in. We’ve got plenty of batters down the line.”
The Diamonds were ultimately thankful to an 88-run opening stand between Kalis and Winfield-Hill, with Woolston adding: “It was brilliant to watch.
“Sterre and Loz are an opening partnership everyone loves watching. You can have the power of Loz and then Sterre can knock it around and then hit brilliant shots down the ground.
“Today was a good day.”
