Northamptonshire Steelbacks Women get their season underway as they host Kent Women in the opening match of the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
After reaching the semi finals of this tournament in an impressive 2025, David Ripley’s team will be looking to earn some silverware in the 50 over format.
Wicket-keeper Chloe Hill has signed permanently after a loan spell from Worcestershire and will be available alongside Liz Russell. The experienced bowler is in line to make her Steelbacks Women debut.
The Steelbacks Women continued their preparations for the season last week against Loughborough University ahead of the season opener, fielding a combination of trialists and squad members.
The match against Kent is the first of eight One Day Cup group matches with Sussex Sharks, Leicestershire Foxes and Worcestershire also visiting The County Ground this season.
Kent Women picked up one victory out of their eight group matches in the format last year, including a three-wicket defeat to the Steelbacks last August.
Entry is free for spectators with play getting underway at 10:30am and gates opening at 9:30. The match will be 50 overs per side with an interval between innings.
The Long Room bar will open and Nuts For Your Coffee will be located by the groundsman’s hut, serving refreshments and snacks.
The fixture will be live streamed on the Steelbacks TV YouTube channel.
We spoke to Anisha Patel about preparation ahead of the match, last year’s success in the 50 over format and leading the team as captain.
Steelbacks Women Squad:
Anisha Patel (c), Gemma Marriott, Chloe Hill, May Drinkell, Beth Ascott, Amelia Kemp, Alicia Presland, Lenny Simms, Liz Russell, Emma Gibbs, Emily Carpenter, Ella Phillips, Mabel Reid
Opponent preview:
Kent Women
Captain: Megan Belt
Head Coach: James Hockley
2025 finish: 9th
2025 highest run-scorer: Megan Surge (307)
2025 highest wicket-taker: Olivia Barnes (9)
Squad information: With a squad of eighteen ahead of the season, Kent Women go into the campaign with plenty of depth. With two wins in the Vitality Blast and one in the Metro Bank One Day Cup last season, James Hockley’s team will be looking to secure a run of victories in 2026. With new addition Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones behind the stumps this season Amy Gordon a reliable source of runs at the top of the order, Kent will be looking to kick start their season with a victory at The County Ground. Promising young seamer, Zeena Bilal, carries pace and will be a notable threat with the ball.