Slater relishing World Cup challenge with Scotland – Yorkshire County Cricket Club

Rachel Slater – and Katherine Fraser – have got the ideal remedy to get over the disappointment of Saturday’s semi-final defeat in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. One of the most exciting assignments they will face in their entire career.

The pair were part of the Northern Diamonds team beaten by Sunrisers at Headingley, missing out on the chance to face South East Stars at Leicester this coming week.

Instead, they have now jetted off to the UAE with the Scotland squad to prepare for next month’s T20 World Cup, in which they will face a mouthwatering Battle of Britain with England.

It will be Scotland women’s first ever appearance at an ICC World Cup – T20 or 50-over – and left-arm swing bowler Slater told yorkshireccc.com: “I’m really looking forward to it.

“It would have been nice to go into it on the back of a trophy, or at least a final, with the Diamonds. But I’m not going to lie, it’s going to be one of the biggest things in my career so far.

“I’m so excited, and it’s nice that I’ve got this to look forward to instead of having six weeks to dwell on that Sunrisers game on Saturday. “It’s going to be such a good experience for myself, and Katherine too. I’m going to try and enjoy it as much as possible.

Slater and Fraser had different flight times depending upon regional commitments with the Diamonds. That Sunrisers defeat meant they flew out yesterday ahead of a tournament starting Thursday October 3.

The event has been switched last minute from Bangladesh to the UAE following political unrest. Scotland open their campaign against Bangladesh in Sharjah before facing West Indies in Dubai (October 6), South Africa at the same venue (October 9) and then England in Sharjah on October 13.

The top two teams in each of the five-team groups advance to the semi-finals on October 17 and 18 before the final on October 20 in Dubai.

Scotland and England are in Group B, while Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka make up Group A.

“England last game is certainly one to look forward to, and having Bess (Heath) there as part of that England squad is exciting,” continued Slater.

Scotland have qualified for this event having come through the early-summer ICC Global Qualifiers event which saw them lose to Sri Lanka in the final in Abu Dhabi.

Picture by Francois Nel. ICC via Getty Images. Rachel Slater bowls for Scotland during the early-summer ICC Global Qualifiers event in Abu Dhabi.

It was a magnificent tournament for the Scots, and a magnificent tournament for Slater personally. 

The 22-year-old Leeds-raised pacer claimed 11 wickets from six matches – more than any other bowler on show – a haul that included notable returns of 5-17, 3-32 and 2-35.

It’s easy to see why confidence is high.

“We know how good we are, and we know we’re capable of winning games out there and competing,” continued Slater. “That’s why we’re there, because we proved it in that qualifying event.

“At the same time, I don’t think there’s any pressure on us. It’s definitely about enjoyment and seeing what we can achieve. 

“We can do our own thing and see what happens.”

Picture by Francois Nel. ICC via Getty Images. Katherine Fraser and Abtaha Maqsood celebrate qualification for the T20 World Cup.

Slater came into this summer on the back of a difficult 12 months. Through the calendar year of 2023, she only played eight matches for club and country, owing much to injury and a well-documented battle with ADHD.

But she has impressed. 

In all cricket for the Diamonds this summer, including friendlies, she has taken 19 wickets in as many appearances added to a best of 18 not out down the order in seven innings.

That unbeaten 18 came earlier this month in the RHFT against Southern Vipers at Headingley to seal a one-wicket win in pursuit of 241 – a victory which secured a semi-final spot for the Diamonds. 

“I can look back and be pretty content,” she added. “It would have been nice to cap it off with a trophy, but that’s the way it goes.

“I’ve been happy with the way things have gone personally, especially after the last few years. This is the first year where I feel like I’ve fully found my feet at this level.

Picture by John Clifton/SWpix.com. Bess Heath is in England’s squad for the T20 World Cup in the UAE.

“I’ve been happy with how I’ve bowled in different phases of the game as well. I want to get away from just being seen as a powerplay bowler, and I’m pleased with how I’ve done that with the Diamonds and Scotland as well.

“But I’ve got a lot more to give and still believe there are things I can improve upon to help me take more wickets.”

England, meanwhile, play their first three Group B matches at Sharjah against Bangladesh on October 5, South Africa on October 7 and Scotland on October 13. They round their group campaign off against West Indies at Dubai on October 15.