Durham Cricket Girls’ Academy started the season with two wins in their friendlies against Durham University Women.
Durham Academy (138/4) beat Durham University (133/3) by 5 runs in the first game and Durham Academy (150/1) win against Durham University (147/1) by 9 wickets in the second fixture.
Lizzie Scott batted consistently during the day with impressive 78 not out in the second T20 to kick-start the 2019 campaign.
New additions Ciara Boaden and Alice Heaton scored first fifties for the team to showcase a strong batting Academy line-up.
In the first game, playing for the University Helen Fenby dismissed the Academy’s Scott on 38, before repeating the same to Heaton, helping restrict the side to 138.
The University led a steady chase before Jenny McDowell, Katie Chomse and Harriet Robson stepped up to the task to each get a wicket and claim a five-run victory.
In the second round, Durham University batted first with Eve Thompson contributing outstanding 91 not out to a final 147.
It was an imposing score to chase after captain Bailey Wanless got run out in only the first over of the Academy’s chase. Opening batter Scott and Heaton put forward impressive efforts with the bat in response and the duo produced 150 with five balls to spare.
Academy Head Coach James Lowe said: “Lizzie worked really hard over the winter, she’s put in a lot of effort and really committed to what we are doing so I was really pleased she got the rewards on Sunday.
“It was the second game in particular she really excelled at – to be not out in the end and win the game for the team, was a brilliant effort.
“The University batted really well in the second game and our task was even more challenging when we lost a wicket in the first over of our chase. But to then not lose another wicket and knock them one wicket down was the incredible effort really. Lizzie’s and Alice’s batting performances were outstanding.”
The Academy, which were recognised as ECB’s Regional Development Centre in the winter, have been training extensively indoors but this was the team’s first game on grass.
Lowe addressed that saying: “To be able to put in that level of performance in their first grass match was really encouraging. It should be a really good confidence builder for everybody and a good sign that hopefully we can again improve on that and go into our upcoming games and put in a similar level of play if not better.”