Cricket

Northern Diamonds' experienced trio of Katie Levick, Lauren Winfield-Hill, and Hollie Armitage led the team to a dominant nine-wicket victory over Thunder in their opening match of the season at Chester-le-Street.Levick, a veteran legspinner, spearheaded the Diamonds' bowling attack, claiming 4 for 38 as Thunder was dismissed for 165 in 43.1 overs. The visitors' innings was anchored by Seren Smale's 32, but they struggled to build substantial partnerships.In response, Winfield-Hill and Armitage, both England internationals, guided the Diamonds to a comfortable victory with unbeaten half-centuries. Winfield-Hill struck 69*, while Armitage contributed 61* as the hosts reached the target in just 34.3 overs.Thunder's batting woes began early when Emma Lamb was dismissed for a duck by Jessica Woolston. Smale showed some resistance, but she lacked support from her teammates. Australian debutant Katie Mack made a promising start with 19, but she was trapped in front by Abi Glenn.Glenn then bowled Fi Morris for a first-ball duck, leaving Thunder reeling at 40 for 3. The umpires were kept busy as both Ellie Threlkeld and Smale departed leg-before, with Smale's 32 being the highest score of the innings.Levick turned the screw, taking the last three wickets to fall and finishing with impressive figures of 4 for 38 from 9.1 overs. Thunder's total of 165 proved to be well below par.Winfield-Hill and Sterre Kalis attacked from the outset of the Diamonds' innings, putting pressure on Thunder's bowlers. Phoebe Graham and Mahika Gaur bowled tightly, but they failed to make a breakthrough until the 14th over when Kalis was caught for 28.Armitage joined Winfield-Hill at the crease, and the pair put on a match-winning partnership. They attacked Thunder's bowlers, particularly Norris and Morris, with some powerful hitting. Winfield-Hill reached her half-century, and Armitage followed suit in the 34th over.The century partnership was completed shortly before the winning runs were hit, leaving Winfield-Hill and Armitage unbeaten at the close. The Diamonds secured a bonus-point victory, setting the tone for a promising start to their season.

Yorkshire's bid to host a Tier 1 team in England's new domestic women's structure has been unsuccessful, sparking disappointment and frustration within the club. However, ECB chief executive Richard Gould has denied that the decision was influenced by Yorkshire's past failings in addressing allegations of institutional racism.Northern Diamonds, the regional side in the north east, will continue to be based primarily at Headingley but will also play home games at other locations in 2024. Durham will host a Tier 1 county in the initial eight-team structure from 2025, a decision that Yorkshire's board described as "tough to take."Yorkshire's board highlighted the club's large active playing base of women and girls, as well as its success in producing players who have gone on to play internationally for England. They expressed disappointment that they would not be able to use a Tier 1 women's team to help them achieve their ambition of becoming "the most welcoming and inclusive cricket club in the country."Gould emphasized that the ECB's decision was not a punishment for Yorkshire's past sins. "Our role is to promote the game, not punish," he said. "We have responsibility when we have an opportunity such as this to get the best outcomes nationally."The news has caused concern among Northern Diamonds players and staff, with England captain Heather Knight confirming that the prospect of having to relocate from Leeds to Durham has caused "quite an unsettling time" for some of the Yorkshire-based domestic players.Gould acknowledged that such tough decisions are part of the process. "This is professional sport," he said. "It's no bad thing. If you want to be paid to be a player in this set-up, you're going to be a Tier 1 player."The Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) anticipates some "teething problems" and has pledged to hold counties accountable in delivering on their proposals. Knight believes that the scale of disappointment is a sign of the progress that has been made in women's cricket.The ECB's investment in women's domestic cricket is expected to grow the number of female professional players in the country by 80% in the next five years. Knight believes there is enough talent to sustain the structure and that investment is key to growing the depth.The revamp is seen as the next logical step in the professionalization of women's cricket in England and Wales. Knight expressed excitement about the plans and hopes that women's cricket will be given equal opportunity alongside the men's game.