Central Sparks all-rounder Katie George says it’s ‘important’ the side keeps ‘backing themselves,’ as the side fell to three consecutive losses on Monday.
As just three games remain in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, the Sparks need victories in all to ensure they reach the competition’s finals day.
In nine games so far this season, Lloyd Tennant’s team have won just three, but they have fell short in games where they’ve played good enough to win.
George said: “I think probably the similarities to the last couple games chasing. We’ve fallen short a couple times now and as a group we’re very keen to rectify that.”
Five games went by in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy (50 overs) competition, where they had a balanced run of two wins, two losses and a tie. The Charlotte Edwards Cup (20 overs) tournament has seen a win and three losses.
The team have been producing some good performances, but with T20 being a momentum type format of the game, the results haven’t been what George, nor the team have wanted.
She added: “I wouldn’t say it’s a stumble. T20 is a very fickle game, we could easily have come out on the right side of things.
“On a couple of occasions and we’d be having a very different conversation. We are winning phases of games and just now need to try and piece the whole thing together to get over the line.”
The Sparks have bowled teams out in seven of the nine matches they’ve played this season, including against the Northern Diamonds in their T20 opener at Edgbaston. They lost that game by three runs, in a game they played more than well enough in to win.
Then were disappointed to have lost the way they did against Thunder at New Road. As the Sparks get Amy Jones back from England duty, to partner the likes of captain Eve Jones, Abbey Freeborn, and Erin Burns.
The presence of Jones can help the batters, and the Sparks can continue doing things right, but being able to close out a game and be clinical.
George said: “I think the most important thing is to keep backing ourselves. We’re doing a lot of things well and with a few improvements, we’ll be back to winning ways.
“Secondly, it’s important that it comes from everyone. In T20 cricket, you need people wanting to be in those pressure moments and creating a moment that changes the course of the game.”
In the game in Worcestershire, George and co were without bowlers Grace Potts and Emily Arlott, so youngster Ellie Anderson was given her senior debut, and George was able to get more responsibility with ball in hand.
Sparks number 99 added: “An opportunity opened for Ellie, and I thought she slotted in really well.
“Personally, it was great to get the new ball. It’s been a while since I last had the opportunity to do so and especially at full fitness.
“It’s something I’m keen to keep doing and I believe I’m at my most dangerous with a new ball, so hopefully I get another chance to go at it this weekend.”
The Sparks face the Southern Vipers in a double header at Edgbaston on Saturday, then travel to Bristol to take on George’s former team Western Storm a day later.
George said: “Preparation has been good, there’s been a real focus at training, and you get the sense everyone’s keen to show up on Saturday and put a performance in infront of a home crowd at edgy [Edgbaston].
“We also need to use what we do at Edgbaston to take some momentum into Sunday in Bristol.”
“I think if we bring a certain attitude, wins will come.”