Exclusive: Ascott rises to the challenge in Northamptonshire Steelbacks Women’s new era
12.04.26, 12:35 Updated 12.04.26, 14:21
Jeremy Blackmore
At the start of last season, Kettering-born Beth Ascott was already an experienced Northamptonshire player, having graduated through the County age group set-up.
Last year though heralded the beginning of a new era for Northamptonshire Steelbacks Women. With the ECB awarding Northamptonshire Tier Two status as one of 10 semi-professional sides, new head coach David Ripley oversaw trials for a new-look squad.
If change can be daunting, Ascott embraced the challenge and finished as second leading run scorer in the One Day Cup. Her memorable, unbeaten 86 helped the Steelbacks chase down 260 to defeat Yorkshire and book a semi-final sport.
“It was quite nerve wracking last season,” Ascott tells The Steeler, “because I had to retrial to get back into the side, and there were a lot more experienced players who had been playing in (regional) academies, so a little bit higher up than me.
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