“It’s Pretty Cool!” – Ellie takes Somerset’s first professional five-for
It’s still a case of ‘all to play for’ in the Metro Bank One Day Cup. Somerset are part of a group of Counties who can still qualify for the knock-out stages of the competition.
Ahead of tomorrow’s vital clash against Lancashire at the Cooper Associates County Ground, we caught up with Ellie Anderson to discuss a recent personal milestone for the Somerset seamer.
In the recent match against Durham, Ellie became the first Somerset player of the professional Tier 1 era to claim a five-wicket haul when she finished with five for 40 to help her side to a three-wicket victory.
We began by asking her how it felt to claim that accolade.
“It’s pretty cool,” she said. “I actually can’t really believe it. I had no idea I was going to be the first pro to take five wickets. You always get a bit nervous when you get anywhere near that fifth one. I think I’d taken my fourth wicket in my sixth over or something like that, so I knew I had a few overs left to get there.
“I just want to be really enjoying my cricket. I’m out there with my mates, so if I can be successful, it is going to help everyone.”
How would Ellie sum up the season so far?
“It’s been great. We weren’t as successful last season, so it’s been really great to see everyone believing in themselves and believing in each other. I think we’ve surprised ourselves, but it just shows you what we can really do.”
Somerset recently reached Finals Day in the Vitality T20 County Cup, does Ellie believe that this will stand the team in good stead for the Metro Bank One Day Cup run in?
“Definitely. The more finals cricket you can go to, the less daunting that becomes. I feel like it was a great experience. It was so good to have everyone there as a group, even players like Erin Vukusic who aren’t able to play at the moment because of injury. It was really special for us all to be there together.”
Ellie believes that Somerset can end the season strongly.
“It’s so exciting to think about it,” she explained. “It’s just such an amazing opportunity for all of us. We’ve got a young squad and it’s really great for us all to be in and around qualification for knock out cricket. It’s just really exciting times.”
Does the squad have what it takes to progress in the 50-over competition?
“Definitely! On our day, we’re unstoppable. We speak a lot about connection and how we’re such a tight group. We all look out for each other. We all want each other to be successful. We all believe in each other and I think that’s one of our biggest strengths.”
