The Mighty Bouch!

Good afternoon Cricket fans, I hope you’re all well and haven’t been too board last week without the dailies!

The World Cup may be over but we’re smack bang in the middle of the English season so there’s plenty to be going at.

England Women have been playing a 3 Match ODI series against New Zealand Women. England and NZ Women played a reciprocal set off fixture in New Zealand at the end of last year in which the Lionesses were dominant, the White Ferns will have been hoping for better form while on tour!

Sadly for NZW, form is not what they brought with them from the South Seas. The Lionesses won the first game by 9 wickets, the second by 8 and the third and final by 5. NZW did show their teeth in the last game but England W powered through to wrap up the series.

The stand out story from the ODI’s was from the second game. England batter Maia Bouchier, known as The Mighty Bouch, came into the side a couple of years ago and has looked a promising talent with some lusty performances. She has also had great knocks in domestic competitions but has never scored a professional Century.

In the second ODI Bouchier came out of the traps like a blooded rat, hitting at a strike rate of 113. Going great guns the prospect of a maiden ton looked good, the problem was she was running out of runs to do it.

The great Nat Sciver-Brunt was at the other end and could have, on many occasions, finished the game off and left Bouchier stranded in the 90’s. The senior player had the back of the younger however and blocked ball after ball to make sure Bouch had the strike she needed for her first professional century……….that’s what I call proper cricket!

England once again took the ODI series convincingly and have made a winning start in the T20i’s!

The Burnley Express keeps rolling.

English cricket is still in a period of mourning upon the planned retirement of seam bowling master James Anderson. Jimmy told us back in May that the first Test of the English summer, England Vs West Indies at Lord’s Cricket Ground Starting Wednesday 10th July, would be his last wearing the proud Three Lions.

The Man they call The Burnley Express still has more than a few tricks up his sleeves as he prepares for International Retirement. Jimmy played for his County, Lancashire, against Nottinghamshire in the County Championship last week.

Looking to get some overs into his legs, Jimmy looked every bit as potent as ever, finishing the game with figures of 7 wickets for just 35 runs, begging the question Why Jimmy? Why? Or maybe more to the point, why Brendon? Why?

Captain Brook

The 2024 edition of The Hundred is only 2 weeks away and I for one am excited! It’s the 4th incarnation of Englands unique short order tournament and as a good Yorkshireman I’m am, of course, a Northern Superchargers supporter #TeamAubergine

The Superchargers have just announced that England and Yorkshire batter Harry Brook will be skippering the side this year. I was at Headingley last summer for the Superchargers game where Harry scored, probably, his best ever Century. If he leads like he bats, we’re in for a good showing this season.

Northern Superchargers are looking strong across the board this year. As well as Harry Brook the men’s side have secured names like Ben Stokes, Adil Rashid and Reece Topley, all current England stars, not to forget my namesake Nicky Pooran who is vice captains the West Indies limited over teams and legend Freddie Flintoff as head coach.

On the Women’s side of the draw we have Annabel Sutherland, Phoebe Litchfield and Georgia Wareham, all Australia internationals. England pacer Kate Cross and ‘The Fizz’ Grace Ballinger have both resigned for this season.

Northern Superchargers Women made it all the way to the final last year but were pipped to the title by our aptly named nemesis Southern Brave. The All The Cricket team will be at every Superchargers home game to cheer our gals and lads on and both get a step further this year!

I’m aiming to get these blogs out on a Friday so please accept my apologies for being a bit late this week. All being well I’ll be back with more exciting happenings from world cricket in a few days.

Until then, all the best.

Nick