Katie Levick is backing the Northern Diamonds to turn around their three-game winless run and still make an impact on this year’s Charlotte Edwards Cup when they take on South East stars this afternoon at Seat Unique Riverside [2:30pm[
Diamonds have lost their opening three T20 fixtures to leave them with significant work to do if they are to secure a top-four finish and qualify for Finals Day on June 22.
They were beaten comfortably by Lancashire Thunder in their opening match but have since been beaten in last-ball finishes by the Blaze and Central Sparks.
The latter came most recently, at Headingley on Monday, when they oh so nearly defended an 11-over target of 81 amidst weather disruption.
In-form leg-spinner Levick took two wickets in two overs and was a whisker away from defending a target of only five off the last over. The visitors got two off the last ball.
Now, Levick and company head up to Durham’s Seat Unique Riverside on Friday afternoon (2.30pm) to take on the South East Stars in game number four of 10 in this year’s extended group stage – there are three more fixtures than there were last summer.
And the Sheffield-born twirler is in defiant mood: “We have got a lot of good things to take into the next game despite not having a win on the board yet,” she said.
“There are obvious areas we need to work on, but a lot of people are standing up at different times. Someone different is doing something in every game, and that will stand us in good stead when we can put that together as a team.
“We’re not too downhearted, and we know that once we all fire together we’re going to be a really formidable team.
“We know we can win games where it comes down to such small margins because we have the character and we have got the experience of having done it before a lot over the years.
“One day it’s going to swing our way, and hopefully we can get a bit of momentum going in a competition like this. We are still in it.”
Levick continued: “It’s great we have a longer competition this year.
“In previous years, it would probably have been over with three defeats at the start. But there’s still so much cricket to play, and it comes so short sharp you can’t really dwell on anything.
“Hopefully, at Durham, we can pick up that first win.”
Levick is having another excellent season. She has claimed 16 wickets in nine matches across both 50-over and T20 cricket, including six in three in the ongoing CE Cup.
Her 16 wickets this summer has taken her beyond the 100-mark in the four-and-a-bit-seasons of regional cricket. She currently has 112 and counting to her name.
“I feel in really good form so far this year,” she said.
“Durham is always somewhere I’ve really enjoyed playing. I always seem to pick up some wickets there.
“I’m looking forward to going up there, and hopefully as a whole team we can put in a good performance in front of that crowd and get that first win.”
Levick is the joint second leading wicket-taker in the early stages of this season’s CE Cup. Only team-mate and fellow spinner, the Australian offie, Erin Burns has taken more. She has seven to her name from only two appearances, including a career best five-wicket haul in last week’s defeat against Blaze at Trent Bridge.
Levick praised the Australian overseas veteran who, at 35, is three years her senior.
She added: “Erin is a brilliant all-round cricketer, and she’s exactly what we needed – an experienced head with bat, ball and in the field.
“She has slotted into our camp brilliantly.
“I was lucky to play with her at Birmingham Phoenix (in the Hundred) last year and got to know her.
“We just needed that real level head, and she has influenced every game she has played in. She’s been a great acquisition for us.”
The Stars head to Durham having won two of their opening three matches and sit third in the table at present. Captained by Bryony Smith, they should have in-form opener Sophia Dunkley back from England duty in time to play.