Northamptonshire Steelbacks Women captain Gemma Marriott believes her side can “show what Tier Two cricket is about” in the Vitality T20 Women’s County Cup Quarter Final at the cinch County Ground.
The Steelbacks are the sole remaining side left from Tier Two, as they take on Essex, with the other seven sides all from Tier One.
A trip to Emirates Old Trafford awaits the winners next Saturday 29th August to take part in Finals Day.
“It would be great,” Marriott said. “Last year when it happened there were no Tier Two sides at Finals Day so to be able to make it there would be really exciting and a real show of what Tier Two cricket is about.”
David Ripley’s side took part in a one-off T20 fixture against Buckinghamshire on Thursday as part of the Gateway T20 League, which was a chance for the Steelbacks to get some good T20 preparation after a block of One Day cricket.
It was a successful outing as the team won by 55 runs after posting a total of 182/4, Marriott scoring 21 off 13 opening the batting.
The headlines went to the four players stepping up from age group cricket as Sasha Wakeford ended 44 not out from 34 deliveries and Iman Akbar, Holly Chambers and Charlotte Aylmore all bowled well, the latter two in the wickets.
“It was good to get going with the T20’s again,” Marriott added. “The One Day fixtures have been going well for us so it’s just taking that form into T20 and trying to kick on.
“It was really exciting to get some of those younger girls involved, they have been performing well in their age groups so it is really good for them to get out with the women and show us what they can do.
“I think the girls have worked really hard to get where we are and it’s exciting going into Sunday to see what we can do.”
The T20 Women’s County Cup Quarter Final versus Essex starts at 2pm on Sunday and is free entry for all so come out and support the Steelbacks Women in their quest for a Finals Day spot.
“It would be class if we could get a big crowd in,” Marriott said. “We’ve had it with the double headers and it would be good to get it just for ourselves on Sunday.”