Picture by John Clifton/SWpix.com. Sterre Kalis is confident Yorkshire can lift the Vitality County T20 Cup.
Sterre Kalis sees no reason why Yorkshire cannot go all the way and win the Vitality County T20 Cup competition as she prepares to face her loan county Warwickshire in Saturday afternoon’s quarter-final at Weetwood (2.30pm).
The Netherlands international was at the heart of last Saturday’s third-round win over Essex Eagles, hitting a fabulous 83 not out with 14x4s and a six to set up another tie with Tier 1 opposition.
Yorkshire’s players have long since spoken about how important this competition is, with them determined to prove a point following the ECB’s decision to give the county Tier 2 status for 2025 instead of an immediate top-flight entry at the start of the new county-led domestic structure.
The White Rose will head into Tier 1 next summer, but they have already shown they can compete now having brushed Essex aside in a victory which was more convincing than the 11-run victory margin suggests. It was their sixth successive win across both 50-over and T20 cricket.
“We’re a Tier 2 side, but we feel like we can compete with anybody from Tier 1 at the moment,” said Kalis.
“We played against some Tier 1 sides in Abu Dhabi on our pre-season tour, and we had some good performances there.
Picture by Gareth Copley/Getty Images. Sterre Kalis on Warwickshire duty earlier this summer.
“Saturday will be a big occasion. If we win, we go to Finals Day, and that’s something we really want to achieve.
“We’re in good form – our bowlers and batters, it’s someone different stepping up in every game. And we played some fearless cricket against Essex, which gives everyone confidence going forward
“We’ve been speaking a lot about winning being a habit, so we believe we can go all the way and win it. But we have to concentrate on Warwickshire first because they’re a good team.”
While captain Lauren Winfield-Hill faced an Essex side on Saturday who she is due to join on loan for the Vitality Blast later this month, 25-year-old Kalis has already played for Warwickshire in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup this summer.
In fact, she played for Yorkshire against Essex on Saturday, travelled down to Arundel to represent the Bears against Hampshire on Monday and will be back wearing the White Rose on Saturday against the Edgbaston outfit, whose head coach is former Yorkshire men’s assistant Ali Maiden.
“It will be exciting,” continued Kalis, looking ahead to what will hopefully be a mauling of the Bears. “It will be a good game, and I’m looking forward to it.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Former Yorkshire men’s assistant coach Ali Maiden is now Warwickshire women’s head coach and will return to the Broad Acres on Saturday.
“Warwickshire are a very good side. But they will lose a couple of players to the England team (Emily Arlott and Issy Wong). Their side will be a little bit out of balance from what they normally would be, and I really believe we can beat them.”
The Bears are also going to miss their opening batter on Saturday at Weetwood.
“Well, yes, I guess so,” laughed Kalis.
“I think I will be deleted from the group chat this week, but I can give the girls a few insights. It’s more about us, though. We need to focus on ourselves a lot more than them because we’re a good side, and we know we can win.”
Kalis has had a busy week, playing for Yorkshire on Saturday, Warwickshire Monday and the Netherlands yesterday and today in a pair of T20 friendlies against Lancashire at Sale.
But she wouldn’t have it any other way and hopes things get even busier considering a potential Finals Day appearance with Yorkshire would take place at Taunton on Monday. The winners of Yorkshire and the Bears will face either Surrey or Durham at the semi-final stage. They play their last-eight tie at Guildford tomorrow.
Picture by John Clifton/SWpix.com. Sterre Kalis and Maddie Ward (right) during their century partnership against Essex at Headingley on Saturday.
Playing regularly all year round – she has just wintered in Sydney – has really helped her game develop and flourish. That was particularly evident on Saturday against Essex as she accrued her 83 off only 45 balls.
She shared an unbroken 113 for the fourth wicket with Maddie Ward (43) as Yorkshire posted what proved an unassailable total of 188-4. Towards the end, Kalis and Ward were almost toying with Essex’s bowlers.
“I felt very confident with the shots I played,” she added.
“Mads as well expressed herself with some ridiculous shots, and that helped me a lot from the other end.
“I’m very happy with how my game is developing at the moment.
“I’m playing a lot of cricket being in three teams, including the Netherlands, and having been to Sydney over the winter.
Picture by John Clifton/SWpix.com. Off-spinner Claudie Cooper claimed two wickets against Essex, including a stunning one-handed return catch to remove Grace Scrivens. In-form Cooper will be key against the Bears.
“I’ve been developing shots pretty much all around the ground, trying to express myself in game situations and trying to make forties and fifties into bigger scores.
“It’s just about being smart, especially in T20 cricket, with how to manipulate the field and all that stuff.”
Warwickshire beat Devon in Sunday’s third round of the County T20 Cup, while they have won two of their eight Metro Bank One-Day Cup matches.
They are captained by England A off-spinner Georgia Davis.
