George delighted as Bears Women make winning return to One Day Cup

Katie George was delighted with her team as Warwickshire Bears Women returned to Metro Bank One Day Cup action with a comprehensive 57-run win against Yorkshire at Edgbaston on Wednesday.

2026-08-20T11:30+01:00

Batting first, Meg Austin’s excellent 94 (114 balls) was the centrepiece of Warwickshire’s total of 269 for nine, supported by Em Arlott who smashed 44 from 19 balls.

Chasing a rain-revised target of 260 in 46 overs, Yorkshire fell well short on 202 all out. Sterre Kalis hit 52 (71) but Arlott also shone with the ball, dismissing three of the top four on the way to three for 24, while Phoebe Brett added three for 59.

George, who was announced as the captain for the remainder of the season prior to the first ball of the day, praised the contribution of her side with both bat and ball as they maintained their challenge for One Day Cup qualification.

"It was a very pleasing win,” she said. “It was a good batting performance with Meg Austin playing the standout innings but there were some important smaller contributions too and then Em Arlott came in and gave us a great lift at the end.

"Then the girls bowled really well. Em and Alexa did really well at the start and took wickets and then the spinners came on and kept it tight.

“It was a really good, sustained performance which is what we wanted coming out of The Hundred.”

The win sees the Bears climb to third place in the Metro Bank One Day Cup table and into the final qualification spot.

With The Blaze and Hampshire clear in first and second, the Bears have four games remaining to consolidate third in the table to book their spot in the elimination game where a win would see them contest the final.

Bears Women are also in T20 County Cup Quarter Final action on Sunday, and George is looking forward to challenging on both fronts over the next five weeks.

"A bonus-point win gives us some nice momentum going into a really exciting last five weeks of the season,” she added.

“We've got two competitions to go at and we are in contention for both which is great.

“I really enjoyed captaining the side today and I’m looking forward to doing it for the next five weeks."

George will lead the side in the Quarter Finals of the Vitality T20 County Cup on Sunday 23 August against Surrey at Edgbaston Community Sports Ground before the team return to Metro Bank One Day Cup action against table-topping The Blaze on Wednesday 26 August at Edgbaston.