Preview: Somerset Women vs Lancashire Women, Metro Bank One-day cup Women
Lancashire Women Squad to face Somerset:
Ellie Threlkeld (c&wk), Danielle Collins, Kate Cross, Grace Johnson, Eve Jones, Hannah Jones, Emma Lamb, Ailsa Lister Katie Mack, Fi Morris, Sophie Morris, Tara Norris, Grace Potts, Seren Smale
Australian batting star Katie Mack says she is relishing the prospect of testing herself against the best during her early-summer overseas stint with Lancashire.
Mack kicked off the campaign in fine style with 44 in the Red Rose’s opening day Metro Bank One-Day Cup victory over The Blaze at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.
She played a valuable supporting role to hundred hero Emma Lamb, whose brilliant unbeaten 130 helped reel in a 235-target for the loss of only two wickets.
During that innings, Mack batted against England leg-spinner Sarah Glenn, who actually got her out when the Lancashire win was all but secured.
And the prolific right-hander can’t wait to face more national players in the coming weeks as she bids to push her game forwards.
Mack, 31, is currently in and around the Australian A set-up and could yet progress through to full senior international honours.
“Runs are your currency,” she admitted, speaking ahead of Sunday’s clash with Somerset at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton (10.30am).
“For me, it's really about testing myself against different bowlers in different conditions,” said the Australian Capital Territory captain. “And if you're going to score runs, you want to do it against the best bowlers to validate that.
“So I'm hoping they're all playing, and hopefully I go well.”
The early indications are that, under the new coaching leadership of Charlotte Edwards, England’s players will be available to play domestic cricket more than they have in the past.
During Wednesday’s opening round, for example, 14 of England’s contracted players were made available. That number included Lancashire seamers Kate Cross and Mahika Gaur, the latter who struck twice as Blaze were bowled out for 234.
Unfortunately, one of those who couldn’t feature was Red Rose left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone because of a knee injury.
“We were quite lucky last year here at Lancs that Crossy and Sophie played quite a few domestic games,” continued Mack, who is 20 runs away from 4,000 in her List A career.
“But I did notice it, there were a few games I'd turn up and would sort of expect to have had a few more of the English girls playing, although I don't know their situation with injuries and all of that.
“I think they have a lot more opportunity to play domestic cricket this year. So it will be interesting to see this year how many are coming back and trying to perform at this level.”
As an Aussie, Mack is currently on the right side of the fence when it comes to Ashes dominance, with Australia having had much the better of England in recent years. That was highlighted by a clean sweep of seven matches in the multi-format series Down Under in January and early February.
However, she does believe that improvement in England’s fortunes will come as a result of the domestic structure in this country.
“The amount of games the girls play here compared to what we play in Australia is huge,” she said.
“We only play 12 one-day games (in addition to a final) in the whole season and then we have the Big Bash (maximum of 13 fixtures). So that's sort of the max of our first class games.
“Here, the amount of games you guys play is crazy.”
Lancashire are targeting success on three fronts this summer, the ongoing One-Day Cup added to the Vitality Blast and County Cup T20 competitions.
Should they win the treble, the Red Rose would play a maximum of 36 matches added to a potential 10 more for those players who go all the way to the final of the Hundred with their respective teams.
“I did, after playing here last year, think that England would be improving quicker than Australia, and I think they will,” added Mack.
While Mack and the Red Rose made flying start to 2025 with a Wednesday win, so did Somerset.
Captain Sophie Luff and company beat Surrey by seven wickets on Duckworth Lewis Stern as they chased an adjusted target of 238 in 33 overs.
England duo Charlie Dean and Heather Knight had a good day. Former national captain Knight struck once with her off-spin added to posting a top-score of 64 opening the batting. Dean struck twice with her off-spin and added 41 with the bat.
Former Lancashire seamer Laura Jackson, a winter Somerset signing, opened the bowling but went wicketless.