'We're ready to Blast off'

AFTER reaching the quarter-finals of the inaugural Vitality T20 Women's County Cup, Leicestershire captain Becki Brooker says her side has built confidence and momentum heading into their Vitality Blast opener tomorrow, writes Jack Gabriel.

- Jack Gabriel

Leicestershire bowed out of the County Cup to eventual winners Lancashire, with the likes of Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone and Emma Lamb called into action to outmuscle the Foxes.

Despite the defeat at Kibworth, Brooker believes the lessons learned by her side will be invaluable in the long run.

"We're proud of where we got to as a group," said Brooker.

"I think having the opportunity to play against a team like Lancashire is a great examination of where we're at, and where we want to be in the future.

"I think we did ourselves proud against a fully professional unit.

"Having exposure to playing against those sorts of teams more consistently is only going to help us grow as individuals and as a group.

"Ultimately, our recent performances have given us a bit of momentum.

"Especially the win at Northants, that did our confidence the world of good.

"So, we're in a great place as a squad going into the Blast."

With nine winter additions to a 17-strong squad, the County Cup also acted as the perfect litmus test for Brooker to gauge the T20 aptitude of a new-look Leicestershire.

"You don't really know what to expect when you've got a new group coming together," she said.