TIE-dy start to a new era for Bears Women

WOMEN’S county cricket started in scintillating style as Warwickshire and Hampshire tied an absolute thriller in their Metro Bank One Day Cup opener at Edgbaston.

- By ECB REPORTERS NETWORK

On a pitch which never yielded runs easily, Hampshire chose to bat and were bowled out for 208 in 48.3 overs, as only Rhianna Southby (72 from 95 balls) and Abi Norgrove (28, 46) passed 20. Chloe Brewer took three for 40 and there were two wickets apiece for Emily Arlott and Georgia Davis.

The Bears were then also all out for 208, their last wicket falling from the final ball of the 50th over. Abi Freeborn’s composed 70 (96 balls) put them on top but Linsey Smith (four for 39) cut through the lower-middle order to leave Warwickshire’s last two wickets needing to find 44.

In fading light, Charis Pavely, Davis and Hannah Baker did brilliantly to find 43 before skipper Davis was run out off the final ball.

"It was a brilliant effort by the last three to really bring us back into the game, they did really well to get us a tie," said Freeborn.

"Hampshire are one of those teams that are always in the game so we knew we would have to bat well to win. We had a bit of a wobble mid-innings, which put us on the back foot, and there are definitely areas to work on, but it was a really encouraging first game.