Preview: Royal London Women's One Day Cup Second Division - Part 2

The Royal London Women's One Day Cup is getting ever nearer and today sees the second part of our division two preview. Today we talk about the other team to get relegated alongside Sussex and the other teams that make-up one of the most competitive line-ups in the second tier of County Championship history.

 

Berkshire

Important Player –  Heather Knight

Having missed the 2017 county season, it will be important for Knight to come back and score runs. The England captain will be pivotal with both bat and ball if Berkshire is to make a speedy return to division one.

Young player to look out for – Lauren Bell

Bell took part on the recent England Academy tour of South Africa. The young opening bowler is well thought of and if conditions of recent weeks are anything to go by she should pick up important wickets.

2017 season

Runs were hard to come by for Berkshire last season as they were dismissed for less than 100 on three different occasions. Even the experienced Rachel Priest could not help Berkshire to a win. The closest that they came was a one-run defeat at the hands of Middlesex.

What’s in store for 2018

There is no reason why Berkshire cannot go straight back up. They have the sort of set up and some good players that means that a decent run of games is not too far away.

 

Derbyshire

Important Player – Leah Kellogg

An all-rounder who bats in the middle-order and a bowler with an average below 20. Her 49 not out was the highest score by a Derbyshire batsman last season.

Young player to look out for – Sarah Glenn

Glenn made her Kia Super League debut for Loughborough Lightning last year and scored 25 from just 21 balls that included two sixes. It is her leg-spin that is her main asset however and if she gets that right there is no reason why Derbyshire can’t at least be competitive.

2017 season

Three wins saw Derbyshire finish sixth last season. There was enough of a gap in points with the relegated sides for them never to be in danger of relegation. The highlight of the year was a six-wicket win against Wales, where the bowlers shared the wickets and the runs were knocked off with ease.

What’s in store for 2018

Twenty points separated second and sixth, last season which shows what a competitive division this is. Derbyshire starts with an away game at Sussex, so it will how well they react to that how they fair. If Sarah Glenn is fit this season she can put them into winning positions.

 

Devon

Important Player – Caitlin O’Keefe

A runner-up in the inaugural Kia Super League with Western Storm, O’Keefe is an opening batsman. O’Keefe was Devon’s leading run-scorer last season with 190 runs with two fifties.

Young player to look out for -  Stephanie Hutchins

Devon’s second-leading wicket-taker last season the off-spin bowler is economical. With an average of 15.76, it could be another great season for the youngster.

2017 season

Devon won all but two of their games; the only games they lost were to the promotion winning sides and the game against Hampshire they lost by only 8 runs.

What’s in store for 2018

Another good season seems to be on the cards for the west country side again it may depend on how they fare against the top teams on where they finish. A promotion season is not out of question.

 

Northamptonshire

Important Player – Emily Starr

A bowling all-rounder Starr took 9 wickets at 6.77 to secure Northants promotion to division two. It will take a similar performance this year if her side is to remain competitive.

Young player to look out for -  Hayley Brown

An opening batsman and the vice-captain of the side, Brown was the leading run scorer for Northamptonshire last season. At just 20 to be in such a position of responsibility shows just how well thought of she is by her club.

2017 season

The nature in which they beat Durham in the third division playoff game shows the temperament of the Northamptonshire players. They finished top of their group and then bowled Durham out for just 90 in their promotion winning game.

What’s in store for 2018

With Ciara Metcalfe the experienced Irish international set for a coaching role there is no reason why Northamptonshire can’t cause a few upsets along the way. They, however, will face some big games so it may be just a season to try and consolidate.