Picture by John Clifton/SWPix.com. Ami Campbell top-scored with 43 not out in Yorkshire’s win over Derbyshire on Saturday.
Yorkshire believe their opening day defeat to Worcestershire at Headingley in April in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup competition proved to be a blessing in disguise as they prepare for the same fixture in the Vitality Blast.
The White Rose welcome the Rapids back to LS6 tomorrow afternoon (2.30pm), hoping to take a significant step towards Finals Day with a fourth straight win.
So far this season, Yorkshire have won nine of the 11 matches they have across all competitions.
They lost to the Tier 1 Bears from Warwickshire in the quarter-finals of the Vitality County T20 in May having been beaten in their first match of the season to Tier 2 rivals Worcestershire, by 114 runs as they failed to chase 229.
“On reflection, we learnt a lot from that game,” said top order batter Ami Campbell.
“It definitely gave us a kick up the bum to not be too complacent.
Picture by John Clifton/SWPix.com. Sterre Kalis and Ami Campbell are key figures in Yorkshire’s top order.
“There are some really good players in Tier 2, and we’ve been tested at times.
“But that loss against Worcester was something we needed, and I’m glad it happened at the start.
“From then, we’ve just got better and better as a team.”
Asked whether that game will be on Yorkshire’s minds come tomorrow, Campbell continued: “Obviously that loss was really, really hurtful at the time, so we want to go out there and show them what we can do.
“But when it comes down to it, all we have to do is focus on the stuff we’ve been doing because the way we’ve been playing I think we could beat anybody.
“It’s eyes on the prize, sort of thing.”
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWPix.com. Yorkshire head coach Ruch Pyrah congratulates then Worcestershire captain Chloe Hill after the Rapids beat Yorkshire in the One-Day Cup at the start of this summer.
In her Central Sparks days, Campbell played for Worcestershire in the old county structure.
Now, the 34-year-old is back in White Rose colours and enjoying her season.
She is Yorkshire’s leading run-scorer across all cricket with 388 runs from 12 matches, including one hundred and one fifty. Campbell top-scored with 43 not out from 20 balls in the county’s 59-run win over Derbyshire the County Ground last time out on Saturday.
“I’m very comfortable,” she said. “But I’d still want to be doing better than I am, especially in T20 and the Blast.
“I think there’s three games where I’ve got myself out and other people haven’t got me out.”
And she also believes the season in Tier 2 has provided her and her team-mates with a very useful challenge as they prepare for elevation to Tier 1 in 2026.
Picture by Alex Whitehead/SWPix.com. Rachel Slater is back in Yorkshire’s side following a fractured wrist. Erin Thomas (l) is currently sidelined with a calf niggle.
“There are some great players at this level, but I think maybe just lacking the depth,” she said.
“The first four batters against us, for example, have been good across the board
“At Yorkshire, I feel like we bat all the way through. We had Jess Woolston batting at 11 at Derby on Saturday, and – watching her in the nets – I would have her down as an all-rounder.”
Meanwhile, head coach Rich Pyrah hailed the recent return to action of seam duo Rachel Slater and Jess Woolston following injuries which ruined the first half of their summers.
And he has also given an injury update on a trio of other senior contracted professionals
“Slats is a big one for us,” he said. “She adds so much with that left-arm. She did a lot of work on her bowling this winter, and I reckon she’s a good five miles an hour quicker than last year, which is good to see.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Seamer Grace Hall could miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
“Wooly is tracking nicely after a long period out. We’re delighted to see her back.
“Beth Langston has a sore knee at he moment. It’s the one she’s had trouble with before. She’s having an injection, and we’ll see how she is after a week, and then it’s a day to day thing.
“Erin Thomas has got a bit of calf niggle. It’s nothing too major.
“But, unfortunately, Grace Hall has a long-term shoulder problem, which she could potentially have surgery on in the next couple of weeks. That could rule her out for the rest of the season.
“For a lot of the girls, it’s their first year as full-time pro cricketers. We knew we’d go through periods where we’d have a few niggles and injuries. We’ve obviously had a couple of long-term ones, but it’s part and parcel of it.”
Worcestershire have so far lost all three of their Blast matches and sit bottom of the North Group, yet to pick up a point.
They changed captains at the start of the month, with wicketkeeper-batter Chloe Hill stepping down and being replaced by all-rounder Clare Boycott.
