Poor run of form continues for Wildcats

The Senior Women’s Team season continued in the same disappointing fashion, this time at home to Lancashire, who completed the double over the home side by 135 runs, thanks mainly to 7 or 8 dropped catches and ‘rabbits in the headlights’ batting.

The only batter who looked likely to remain at the crease for any length of time with a degree of confidence was opener Catherine Smaill, no batter making it to double figures.

Earlier in the day Lancashire lost the toss and Scotland skipper Kari Anderson elected to put the opposition in first, which looked a good decision as the Lancashire openers found the slightly damp, slow and low New Williamfield track difficult to read.

Opening bowler Leigh Kasperek had to retire early from the attack with a back injury, but first change Cat Tams proved a more than adequate replacement as her first spell from the pavilion end produced only 20 run.

 it could have been even better if relatively simple chances had been taken to get into the Lancashire middle order early. Meanwhile Kathryn White had kept things tidy at the other end, 11 runs off her opening 5 overs and the wicket of Martinus.

Tams finished with figures of 1 for 28 off her 10 overs, White 2 for 16 from 8, and one wicket apiece for Samantha Haggo, Kari Anderson and Fiona Campbell as the Lancashire innings closed on 185 for 7.

After the interval it was little more than a procession as Scotland’s batters succumbed to Laycock with 3 wickets and two apiece for Brown, Cross and Conway before being skittled out in the 24th over of their innings.

Seven Scotland players were out ‘caught’ in their innings, proving once again that “catches win matches”, and this weekend’s double-header at home to Devon will be the last chance to find some much needed form before the Senior Women’s European Championships begin at Stirling County on Monday 09 August involving Ireland, Holland and an ECB Academy XI.

 Adam Park-Elliott 29 July 2010

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