Central Sparks’ Issy Wong reflected on Tuesday’s defeat to the Northern Diamonds, but said the quality in the Sparks side is ‘second to none.’
Wong also previewed the clash with The Blaze this Friday as the T20 action just keeps coming!
Wong said: “I think we played well in places on Tuesday, but didn’t play as well in other areas. We then probably saw the effect of that.
“It’s quite encouraging that there were two spells in the game where we really turned things around. Once in the bowling innings, and once in the batting innings too.
“Still, we felt the effect of probably getting off to a slightly rough start. However, I think there’s plenty of positives to take from it.”
In the game, Sparks bowled the Diamonds out for 135 after a great start from the visitors saw them reach 80 runs with losing just two wickets.
Wong is a big part of the Sparks bowling attack, and she hailed the quality in not just the bowling line-up, but all through the team as well.
Wong added: “Coming into the season, we knew it was going to be something that would be a real strength of ours.
“Obviously having Burnsy [Erin Burns] come into that attack has helped take us from strength to strength. I think the depth and quality we’ve got throughout our squad though is second to none.
“We’ve got a real diverse bowling group and it seems we’re being able to utilise that this season well.”
As the second Charlotte Edwards Cup game is done with, the third swiftly follows with a trip to Leicestershire to face The Blaze. Wong knows the importance of getting back to winnings ways, but also admits the short turnaround helps the squad in doing so.
The 21-year-old said: “Absolutely, they come thick and fast so you can’t really dwell on it too much, and the fantastic thing about T20 cricket is that a couple of overs here, a couple of overs there can truly tip a game on its head.
“I think we’ll be very aware of that, and excited for what Friday brings.”
In that game on Friday, at the Uptonsteel County Ground, following the Charlotte Edwards Cup game, will be a Vitality T20 Blast fixture between Leicestershire Foxes and the Birmingham Bears.
The Sparks will be involved in two more double header events after Friday. On Monday 29 May, they’ll be taking on Thunder before the Worcestershire Rapids face the Foxes at New Road. Then on Saturday 3 June, Wong & co take on the Southern Vipers, before Mark Robinson’s Bears face the Notts Outlaws at Edgbaston.
The Sparks number 95 really cherises the opportunity to play on the big stages, in double header’s and thinks it’s only right that the women’s game gets this type of exposure.
Wong added: “We’ve seen obviously with the hundred, and the double headers in that just what a success they’ve been.
“There’s something we gain from playing double headers, of course the fans do as well when it turns into a whole day out.
“Hopefully we can see lots of young girls, with their families coming down, enjoying games of cricket in Leicester, Worcester and Birmingham.”