LaurenWinfieldHill

Lauren Winfield-Hill to Sign Long-Term Yorkshire Deal, Considers Loan for Tier 1 Cricket

By Nilay August 16, 2024 0

Lauren Winfield-Hill, the England batter, is poised to sign a long-term contract with Yorkshire but is open to exploring loan opportunities in 2025 to maintain her involvement in Tier 1 domestic cricket.

With the restructuring of women’s domestic cricket in England and Wales, Yorkshire was not among the eight teams granted Tier 1 status and funding by the ECB. However, they have been assured of promotion to the top tier in 2026.

This has presented a dilemma for several Northern Diamonds players, including Winfield-Hill, who must decide between relocating to a Tier 1 county or remaining in Leeds for another season.

“My intention is to stick around and commit to Yorkshire,” Winfield-Hill stated. “I haven’t officially signed a contract or anything, but that’s what I’m looking to do. What that looks like with loans or opportunities to play Tier 1 cricket is something that we’ll explore, but if that doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen.”

Winfield-Hill’s loyalty to Yorkshire played a significant role in her decision to stay. “I’ve always been really keen to finish where I started and [Yorkshire] is a place that’s really close to my heart. It’s where my friends and family get to come and watch me… those sorts of things are massively important to me.”

However, she is considering a loan deal in 2025 to ensure she continues to play at the highest level. “We’re just working through it all now,” she said. “There’s lots of things that are quite unknown with what Tier 2 and Tier 1 looks like, what the crossover is and all the rest of it.”

“I don’t really want a year of not playing top-flight cricket domestically in England but what that looks like, I’m unsure of now. That’s the truth. We’re trying to get the best of both worlds in terms of being around for Yorkshire stuff, developing that, and making sure that in 18 months or two years’ time, we’re ready to hit the ground running and compete in Tier 1.”

Meanwhile, the Blaze have signed Ireland allrounder Orla Prendergast for the remainder of the season after Nadine de Klerk was ruled out through injury.

Categories: Cricket

Oval Invincibles Cruise to Victory, Boosting Final Hopes

By Nilay August 11, 2024 0

Oval Invincibles secured a crucial victory over London Spirit in The Hundred, boosting their chances of reaching the tournament’s final.

Chasing a modest target of 120, Invincibles captain Lauren Winfield-Hill led the charge with a composed half-century (61 off 40 balls). She formed a solid partnership with Marizanne Kapp (30* off 21 balls), who provided the finishing touches to seal the eight-wicket win with nine balls to spare.

London Spirit’s innings had been rescued by Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who guided her team to a respectable total of 120 for 8. Sharma’s unbeaten 46 off 34 balls, along with Eva Gray’s 22, helped Spirit recover from a precarious 47 for 7.

Invincibles bowlers had initially dominated, with Kapp dismissing Meg Lanning for a duck and taking a wicket apiece. However, Sharma and Gray’s partnership of 73 for the eighth wicket proved crucial.

In the chase, Winfield-Hill played intelligently, nullifying the threat of Spirit’s spinners and finding boundaries with ease. Kapp provided support, adding impetus to the chase and ensuring a comfortable victory.

The win leaves Invincibles in control of their destiny with one game remaining. They can secure a place in the Eliminator with a win in their final match. For London Spirit, they need to win their last game and hope for favorable results elsewhere to qualify for the top three.

Categories: Cricket

Northern Diamonds Crush Thunder with Dominant Nine-Wicket Victory

By Nilay April 20, 2024 0

Northern Diamonds’ experienced trio of Katie Levick, Lauren Winfield-Hill, and Hollie Armitage led the team to a dominant nine-wicket victory over Thunder in their opening match of the season at Chester-le-Street.

Levick, a veteran legspinner, spearheaded the Diamonds’ bowling attack, claiming 4 for 38 as Thunder was dismissed for 165 in 43.1 overs. The visitors’ innings was anchored by Seren Smale’s 32, but they struggled to build substantial partnerships.

In response, Winfield-Hill and Armitage, both England internationals, guided the Diamonds to a comfortable victory with unbeaten half-centuries. Winfield-Hill struck 69*, while Armitage contributed 61* as the hosts reached the target in just 34.3 overs.

Thunder’s batting woes began early when Emma Lamb was dismissed for a duck by Jessica Woolston. Smale showed some resistance, but she lacked support from her teammates. Australian debutant Katie Mack made a promising start with 19, but she was trapped in front by Abi Glenn.

Glenn then bowled Fi Morris for a first-ball duck, leaving Thunder reeling at 40 for 3. The umpires were kept busy as both Ellie Threlkeld and Smale departed leg-before, with Smale’s 32 being the highest score of the innings.

Levick turned the screw, taking the last three wickets to fall and finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 38 from 9.1 overs. Thunder’s total of 165 proved to be well below par.

Winfield-Hill and Sterre Kalis attacked from the outset of the Diamonds’ innings, putting pressure on Thunder’s bowlers. Phoebe Graham and Mahika Gaur bowled tightly, but they failed to make a breakthrough until the 14th over when Kalis was caught for 28.

Armitage joined Winfield-Hill at the crease, and the pair put on a match-winning partnership. They attacked Thunder’s bowlers, particularly Norris and Morris, with some powerful hitting. Winfield-Hill reached her half-century, and Armitage followed suit in the 34th over.

The century partnership was completed shortly before the winning runs were hit, leaving Winfield-Hill and Armitage unbeaten at the close. The Diamonds secured a bonus-point victory, setting the tone for a promising start to their season.

Categories: Cricket