Women can clinch promotion

August 14, 2026

SUFFOLK Women can clinch promotion if they defeat Lincolnshire on Sunday.

Three convincing victories have put Suffolk in pole position to be promoted from Division 2B to Division One in the Metro Bank One Day Cup Women’s League 3.

The leaders host second-placed Lincolnshire at Sudbury CC (start 10.30am) knowing a win will secure promotion for the first time in the second season since a restructure of the Women’s game in this country.

Women’s 1st XI Coach Johan de Silva said: “Promotion would be a recognition of the way in which we have developed and added to our squad over the Winter, as well as how we have developed our young talent.

“And it would get us closer to where we want to be – one of the leading Tier 3 counties for Women’s Cricket, capable of competing on field with Tier 2 teams.”

He is expecting their toughest game so far against opponents who sit four points behind Suffolk after winning two and having their other match abandoned.

“Yes, for sure. Lincolnshire have had some strong results so it will be a close game,” said de Silva.

“Good luck also to our U16 Girls who are playing Worcestershire at Tuddenham CC on Sunday in last 16 of the ECB Girls’ U16 County Cup,” he added.

Sunday’s matches follow-on from a double T20 win for a Suffolk Women’s 2nd XI side versus Jersey Lionesses at Haverhill CC on Tuesday.

Suffolk won the first fixture by 13 runs after posting 138 for 8 and dismissing their visitors for 125 off the last ball of the innings.

Vani Dhanuka scored 45 off 46 deliveries, Callie Bradbury 33 off 22 and Megan Haynes 20 off 19 after Suffolk had lost two early wickets.

Bradbury also impressed behind the stumps, as did Tamsin Holmes who took 4 for 17 with the ball.

In the second game, Suffolk scored 185 for 3 before bowling out their opponents for 112 off the penultimate ball of the match to record a 73-run success.

Holmes led the way with 48 off 43 and Maddy Reynolds 43 off 41, before Poppy Smart (pictured above) scored an undefeated 52 off just 26 with 10 fours.

Off spinner Florence Wilkinson then opened the bowling in Jersey’s reply and recorded figures of 4-1-16-2.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to run cricket to develop fringe players and look at new players from the club game in Suffolk and beyond, so is something we should look to do more of in the future.

“Players enjoyed the opportunity to get more competitive game-time in mid-season and this will support our preparation for 1st XI fixtures coming up soon.

“It was great to look at more talent and also good for established 1st XI players short of middle time or overs to top that up.

“It was also a good opportunity to look at Maddy Reynolds’ leadership in 50-over cricket and also develop Callie Bradbury, who captains the U16s and U18s, who captained in the second match,” said de Silva.

 

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