Yorkshire are desperate to have a crack at Tier 1 opposition in the new Vitality County T20 Cup competition, which kicks off at Harrogate tomorrow (2.30pm). But they know first round opponents Derbyshire require their full attention.
Captain Lauren Winfield-Hill has spoken of the importance of this short and sharp knockout competition billed as the FA Cup of county cricket, saying: “We want to make some noise.”
All three tiers in the new county structure are involved, with Tiers 2 and 3 kicking things off.
Fellow Tier 2 side the Falcons are Yorkshire’s opponents for the second time in three days, this time at the St George’s Road ground (2.30pm).
The pair met in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup at Derby on Saturday, with Yorkshire winning that one in record-breaking fashion by 315 runs – their second win in three 50-over matches at the start of 2025.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Lauren Winfield-Hill of Yorkshire heads out to bat against Worcestershire last month with opening partner Erin Thomas.
Ami Campbell hit a fabulous 165 not out in a 381-6 total, also including 63 for all-rounder Olivia Thomas. She then struck four times with her leg-spin as the Falcons were bowled out for just 66.
It was the biggest ever List A total for any Yorkshire women’s side, plus their largest ever margin of victory runs wise. It was also the biggest List A total by any professional side in English women’s domestic cricket.
All counties have their route to the final mapped out. If Yorkshire beat Derbyshire again, they would face either Staffordshire or Cumbria at Weetwood this coming Saturday before tackling Tier 1 side Essex Eagles at home the following Saturday (May 17).
First things first, though, the Falcons. It is the first of six rounds, including semi-finals and a final at Taunton on May 26.
Last year, the Falcons won the national T20 title in the old county structure, under the captaincy of Arianna Dowse and the coaching of Jon Dyson, who both remain in charge.
Picture by John Heald. Ami Campbell hit a brilliant 165 not out against Derbyshire at the County Ground in yesterday’s 50-over game.
Winfield-Hill said: “We know where we’re at against Tier 1 teams because we spent two weeks playing against them in pre-season (Abu Dhabi, late March and early April).
“But knockout cricket is different, isn’t it? You can’t slip up at any point.
“We clearly want to go head-to-head against the Tier 1 teams, but you’ve got to tick off each round as it comes.”
Ironically, should Yorkshire progress beyond the Falcons and then Tier 3 opposition, they would face an Essex side who Winfield-Hill has just signed for.
The wicketkeeper-opener will head down to Chelmsford on loan for the duration of the regular Vitality Blast competition to play some Tier 1 T20 cricket leading into the Hundred in August, when she will again represent the Oval Invincibles.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com. Sterre Kalis is available for the entirety of Yorkshire’s run in the Vitality County T20 Cup.
So, for the White Rose legend, it is very much a case of aiming to beat them and then join them.
“No doubt about it, we’ve got a point to prove,” added the skipper.
“We want to make some noise, lay down a bit of a marker and almost prove a few people are wrong in terms of the fact we didn’t get a Tier 1 team.
“When looking at priorities and laying down a few goals and markers, I think it’s (this competition) our big focus for the season.”
Dutch international batter Sterre Kalis, currently on loan at Warwickshire, is available to play in this fixture, as she did at the County Ground on Saturday. Should Yorkshire win this game, they would play either Staffordshire or Cumbria in round two at Weetwood this coming Saturday.
