Sussex Women win third game in a row

Sarah Taylor scores 86 from 88 balls

10th June 2009

The Sussex Women continued their run in the County Championship with their third win against Somerset.

The side travelled to Taunton and played on one of the hottest days of the year so far. Somerset won the toss and decided to bat first.

Sussex started well with some tight bowling from openers Alexia Walker and Charlotte Burton, with Burton taking the first wicket. Burton bowled her 10 overs straight off and was the pick of the bowlers, leaving her with figures of 1 for 10 off 10.

Spin twin, Laura Marsh came into the attack taking 2 quick wickets, leading to Somerset player, Anya Shrubsole to come to the wicket. Anya caused a number of problems hitting into the gaps and taking a number of quick singles, she got to 52 off 67 balls before Sarah Taylor stumped her from a ball from Charlotte Russell.
Caroline Atkins and Laura Marsh also bowled well taking wickets a regular intervals and bowling a number of dot balls to keep the runs down. Atkins finished on 2 for 22 off 5 and Marsh 2 for 26 off 10.

Sussex went into bat chasing Somerset’s score of 164 on what was still a good batting track. The opening partnership of Sarah Taylor and Caroline Atkins continued to be a success as the pair ripped through Somerset’s bowling attack and played a fantastic innings getting the runs in 30 overs without losing a wicket. Taylor finished on 86 off 88 balls, while Atkins made 65 off 87 balls.

The Sussex Women now take a break from the Championship until August where they will complete their last 7 fixtures. Sussex coach, Rupert Kitzinger said; “It has been a good start to the championship this season and we have achieved our aim of winning the first 3 matches before the break. We have performed well, without being at our best, and some of the younger members of the squad have gained some valuable match experience along the way. The top 3 have all scored runs and have dominated the opposition bowling and our new ball attack have been both aggressive and economical allowing our spin department to thrive. We have looked to dominate each game and raise our own performances match by match and our results have reflected this in winning by 8, 6 and 10 wickets! One of the most pleasing aspects of our performance is that we have not relied on our international players as the whole squad have contributed in our successes so far.

There will be tougher matches towards the end of the summer and we have good strength in depth for these challenges ahead. With a break in the schedule all the players are looking to make contributions for their club sides and challenge for places and spots in the batting order. We are looking forward to the inaugural county Twenty20 at the end of July and that will also be a good chance to warm up for the concluding matches in the championship season.”