Cricket: It’s not just for boys
Photo: brensoft
Has women’s cricket ever witnessed such a halcyon period? In contrast to their jaded male counterparts, England’s women are world champions following their four wicket final victory over New Zealand earlier this year. Even more remarkably, prolific run-scorer and England lynchpin Claire Taylor overcame decades of staid tradition to become the first woman to make Wisden’s Cricketers of the Year list. The female version of the game is booming, attaining new levels of popularity.
Yet, how many people would know that York was among the select few universities to boast a women’s cricket club? Having trained intensively, almost under the radar, throughout the winter months, the University of York Women’s Cricket Club (UYWCC) are relishing the impending start of the outdoor season. With many of the girls also heavily involved in their college teams, there won’t be any shortage of match practice during the summer term, in addition to the regular practices held on the 22 Acres.
Despite the traditional comforts the sport offers – what is more reassuringly British than the village green alive with cricketers bedecked in their white uniforms on Sunday afternoon? – UYWCC faces a leap into unknown this time around. The transition from BUSA to the more marketable BUCS brand brings a raft of new opponents in Sheffield, Manchester and Sheffield Hallam Universities, although the pre-dawn departures for treks to the North-East and St. Andrews, a hallmark of last season, won’t be missed. The team travel to Sheffield on Wednesday week one (April 29th) to kick-off their BUCS Northern Conference 1B programme, which features three home matches, for which any support would be appreciated.
The team is a combination of relatively inexperienced freshers eager to demonstrate the skills they’ve honed in the past two terms and returning members of last year’s side. First-years Phoebe Morton and Jennie England, who has shown excellent promise in the upper batting order over the close season, are welcome additions to the team. The bowling attack is spearheaded by Vice-Captain Ruth Laws and club President Faith Pickering, both having fine-tuned their deceptively accurate deliveries over the winter. With regular wicket-keeper, Captain and York Sport President-Elect Emily Scott distracted by finals exams, all-rounder Ellen Filor will be deputising, aiming to restrict the opponent’s scoring from behind the stumps. Meanwhile, the left-hand bowling and consistent batting of club stalwart Natalie Barratt will again prove instrumental.
One of York’s smaller clubs they may be, but UYWCC have been meticulous in their preparations for an assault on the opposition and will thoroughly deserve all the success they achieve this season. The club are always keen to encourage people to get involved and play cricket, even if you’ve never picked up a bat or ball before. Please contact womenscricket@yusu.org for more information on getting involved.
This Season’s Fixtures:
April 29th – Sheffield University (A)
May 3rd – Manchester University (H)
May 6th – Sheffield Hallam (A)
May 13th – Sheffield University (H)
May 17th – Manchester University (A)
May 20th – Sheffield Hallam (H)
>>Nouse will be offering regular coverage on the university cricket season, both online at nouse.co.uk/sport and in our print editions.
Thanks to Emily Scott
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