Following a strong start to our Tier 3 T20 campaign, out attentions now turn to the return of the Women’s T20 County Cup this Sunday.
Match Preview
The Women’s 1st XI travel to Marlborough CC to face fellow Tier 3 outfit – Wiltshire. This will be the first of 3 visits to Wiltshire this summer for the Women. Our first encounter see’s us compete for a place in Round 2 of what is dubbed cricket’s version of the FA Cup. The Vitality Women’s T20 County Cup has teams from across all three tiers compete in a T20 knockout competition. Berkshire reached the 2nd round of the competition in 2025 having beaten Cornwall before being knocked out by Tier 2 side Kent. The competitive match starts at 11am with a 2nd T20 being played later in the afternoon as an early season friendly. The winners of the tie will play host to either Tier 3 side – Devon or Tier 2 side Glamorgan who will be promoted to Tier 1 at the end of the season. Progression in Round 1 & Round 2 could earn the team the exciting opportunity to test themselves against Tier 1 county Hampshire.
Squad Announcement
Izzy Storrar (Captain)
Fiza Asif Iqbal
Naaz Asif Iqbal
Alex Avoth
Lily Bowlby
Mary Briscoe
Molly Bulteel
Poppy Camplin
Shayna Chikhlia
Freya Johnson
Emma MacEwen
Noa Mais
Immi Storrar
Emily Wilson
A 14-player squad will form the travelling party for the day. Batters Iqraa Hussain & Finty Trussler are unavailable and come out of the side from the wins against Devon while Emma MacEwen, Noa Mais, Immi Storrar & Emily Wilson return to the squad ahead of the weekend.
Last Time Out
Last weekend saw the Women make a successful trip to face Devon at Budleigh Salterton CC. Game 1 saw Berkshire secure a 7-wicket win, chasing down Devon’s 128/8 (20) with 11 balls to spare. Shayna Chikhlia continued where she left off at the end of last season against Devon, picking up 3/37. New loan signing from Middlesex, Finty Trussler made an unbeaten 62* supported by Iqraa Hussain’s 22*. Game 2 saw Berkshire win the toss and look to continue the momentum with the bat by opting to set a score. This turned out to be exactly what happened with a quick fire 50 from opening batter Alex Avoth. Finty then continued where she left off scoring 83 before being run out with 2 balls left of the innings. A strong middle order contribution from Izzy Storrar (28) helped Berkshire post a substantial 1st innings score of 173/5. Game 2 was the turn of all our seamers to dominate with the ball. Mary Briscoe set about quickly removing two of Devon’s top 3 and going for only 7 runs in her 3 overs in the powerplay. Molly Bulteel produced a spell of 1/12 (4 overs) before Izzy Storrar contributed 2 wickets at the back end of the innings. This restricted Devon to 109/7 which secured Berkshire a bonus point win. Elsewhere in the group, honours were even between this Sunday’s opponent Wiltshire and newly promoted Oxfordshire with both teams pick up a win each. This leaves Berkshire top of the table with 9 pts, Wiltshire 2nd with 5pts, Oxfordshire 3rd with 4pts and Devon in 4th. A strong start for Berkshire in what will be a very competitive group.