After a close finish to an outstanding game of one-day cricket against Middlesex in the second game of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup, we caught up with Glamorgan Women Head Coach Rachel Priest who talked us through the narrow loss at Newport Cricket Club.
Q. Thoughts after an amazing game of one-day cricket?
Rachel: Yes, it was a great game of cricket and I am very proud of the girls to even get that close after the first innings where our bowling didn't really go to plans. But the girls pulled things back brilliantly after a strong start by Middlesex, where it felt like they would get to 300 quite easily. We were a bit up and down with our batting but for Emma to come out like that and play an outstanding innings, and ending only 11 runs short of our target, is a great effort.
Q. Emma Jones with the ball in the first innings was really exciting to watch, some real pace there and despite a few extras, she looked good with the ball. Thoughts on her bowling performance?
Rachel: Absolutely, when we were talking about whom to get in on a loan deal to be a part of our group, we watched a few videos of her and saw how quick she was. Yes, it wasn't her day when it came to extras and wides, but for her to be so resilient and put together an innings like that with the bat shows what a player she is and the character she has. We loved her being part of the group and she is an exciting player, who knows she might be back before the end of the season!
Q. A word on the spinners who pulled things back for Glamorgan in the middle-overs during Middlesex's batting? Katy Cobb and Sara Phillips on debut, and Gemma Porter who kept things in check after a strong start by the visitors.
Rachel: Yes, all of our spinners did so well today. Katy (Cobb) only got told last night that she was in the XI today! We got an illness in our squad so she came in last night, I had a chat with her and she was good to go. We knew he was going to be a very good option for us, and she bowled really well today, kept things nice and tight on debut and kept some good batters pretty quiet. Gemma (Porter) has bowled well for us in both games so far, we know her skills and she backs herself and has come through for us twice now. I told Sara (Phillips) the other day that she might bowl a couple, and next minute she's having a long spell! We have such a good squad and some really talented cricketers.
Q. Do we have an update on Nicole Reid's injury, who was in the Playing XI today but came off injured in the opening overs of the first innings?
Rachel: She had a collision in the field with Erin (Vukusic) and unfortunately there was a situation of some spikes in the knee, so she was in real pain at the time. We want to get it checked out before letting her come back on the field. It is really unfortunate with 11 runs to win in the last over and we can't have our no. 11 batter in, but our players' wellbeing is the most important thing, more important than even winning games of cricket. Hopefully she is nice and healthy and good to go for the coming weeks.