Interview: Cross reflects on superb victory vs Durham
Lancashire Cricket all-rounder Kate Cross says the Metro Bank One Day Cup win over Durham on Sunday was “testament” to the hard work the squad put in.
The Red Rose fought back superbly to beat Durham and keep themselves firmly in the hunt for a spot in the knockout stages of the One Day Cup, as they look to defend their crown.
After being asked to bat first by the visitors, Lancs got up to 169 from 38 overs in a rain-affected game. Durham seemed to be cruising, but tight bowling at the back end of their innings from Cross (3-24), Sophie Morris (4-28) and Fi Morris (1-34) helped Chris Read’s side get over the line by three runs.
Reflecting on the win, the former England bowler stressed just how proud she of the way the group played.
“Obviously, [it was] a great game of cricket. I’m just really pleased for the girls, obviously we have a couple of must-win games coming up and it was a bit touch and go there.
“But I thought how we held our nerve and fought right to the end was testament to the group, and how much everyone wants it, and wants to get to a position where hopefully, we can defend our trophy.”
It was certainly not an ideal toss to lose, with overcast conditions making it favourable to bowl first on.
Yet, the fight Lancs showed to ensure they stayed in the game, and eventually got over the line, was crucial. It was a superb collective bowling performance, with Cross specifically naming left-arm spinner Sophie Morris as someone who impressed.
“We probably knew we were maybe a little bit under par [with the bat], but with the way the conditions were I thought we did well to get to that total actually at halftime.
“Then it was just a case of holding our nerve with the ball, which I thought we did. Sophie Morris was absolutely exceptional today, to get us going with the wickets but to pick up a four-for after her eight overs was just brilliant. Yeah, she gave us the opportunity to try and go through them and obviously win the game in the end.”
The Red Rose, of course, are defending champions after lifting the One Day Cup at the Utilita Bowl last season.
Having won five games in a row in the 50 over competition, Ellie Threlkeld’s team have propelled themselves into qualification contention, and are still in with a strong chance of defending their crown.
Cross highlighted just how important that winning momentum will be with just two group stage games left.
“We’ve obviously got a big game down at Somerset on Wednesday. I think we’re five out of five for wins now in the Metro Bank, so momentum is key in any kind of tournament.
“It’s been a long season, it always feels like you get to this point and you’re clinging on, your body is clinging on. So, I think actually, the way The Hundred fell for a lot of our Lancs girls, a lot of girls came back a bit fresher from that having probably not played as much cricket in the last month.
“So, just been a really pleasing couple of weeks to get back together as a group and get a couple of wins on the board, and just give ourselves the best chance of qualifying. I think we were sat in seventh when we came back from The Hundred, so it was always going to be difficult, but wins like that give you a lot of confidence.”
There are two games to go in this season’s One Day Cup group stage, with Lancs set for away trips to face Somerset and Yorkshire to end the season.
Qualiification is still very much on the line, and with just one point separating them from third-place Warwickshire, it is still all to play for, as Threlkeld’s side look to retain their One Day Cup title.
;