INTERVIEW | Olivia Bell on her rise to finals day
Olivia Bell has revealed Thunder have finally found a winning formula after reaching the Charlotte Edwards Cup Eliminator.
Thunder lost to the South Vipers by 18 runs after failing to chase 191 in a run-fest at New Road, Worcester.
Thunder were playing at a Finals Day for the first time after winning four of their last five group stage matches.
Spin sensation Bell insists they are now better placed to turn around their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy campaign around where they sit bottom of the table having lost their first five matches.
“It is about how we approach the games,” said Bell. “We’ve started looking at phases of the game and looking at how to win those phases.
“If we can do that again – winning powerplays, middle and death – in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy that’s how we look to take results.
"Today, we probably didn’t start ideally. We pulled it back and credit to the team but it was a tough run rate to chase."
Scotland international Bell came into the Thunder side for the last four matches and claimed 11 wickets in 12 overs, at a strike rate of 6.77.
She took four for 36 in the Eliminator to throttle Vipers after Bouchier and Wyatt had put on 108 for the first wicket.
And she has explained the advice England superstar Sophie Ecclestone and captain Ellie Threlkeld had given her to spark her wicket rush.
“It has surprised me a little bit,” Bell said about her quick rise.
“I have been speaking to Sophie and Ellie about things and there is something to be said for bowling straight in a T20. If you are hitting the stumps there is every mode of dismissal available. That’s all I’ve tried to do.
“I’ve stayed in on form. You take wickets, you play well and you stay in the team. Credit for Shawsy for giving me a chance and then I’ve taken wickets to stay in the team.”
Bell also praised her senior Thunder team-mates for welcoming her into the first team.
She said: “Sophie’s been great. She hasn’t been around much but her can do attitude plus her high standards with the bat, ball and field have been great.
“The standards that the players have shown since coming into this group have been near enough immaculate.
“They all play and have a great attitude which has helped me.
“Credit to the group, it is a great group to come into and I feel very supported. It has made me feel very comfortable and have enjoyed every second of it.
“It makes it easy to play well and makes it easy to come into the first team and do what I’ve been doing in the academy.”
