There’s no denying that qualification through to the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy semi-finals is quite the achievement for the Northern Diamonds, who have performed superbly on the field in 50-over cricket amid the backdrop of significant uncertainty off it.
They host Sunrisers (10.30am) today in what is the team’s last game at Headingley for the foreseeable future.
With the change in structure of the women’s game for 2025 and Yorkshire not being granted Tier One status until 2026, it has meant that a number of players have had to search for pastures new.
Levick, along with a number of team-mates, have signed for Tier One side Durham.
“There’s a been lot of off-the-pitch noise around, but we’ve just been trying to enjoy our cricket as much as possible because it’s the last opportunity we’re going to have to play together under the Diamonds badge,” she said.
“We’ve been desperate to get to a final.
“We’ve played every game like it might be our last, and that will be the case again on Saturday.
“Fifty-over cricket has been our strongest suit.
“We did well at the start of the year, went into the Hundred on the back of three out of four wins and have won a couple of since the resumption.
“Historically, as well, as Diamonds, that’s been our strongest format.
“When you have to hold your skill for longer, we really back ourselves. It’s where we’ve excelled over the four years and where we feel at our best.
“Nine times out of 10 when we’ve lost, it’s been down to ourselves.
“If we go away, put the work in, back ourselves, we know we have the ability.
“We’ve won a lot of games across the four years that we shouldn’t have won, and that’s real testament to the grit that Dani Hazell’s drilled into us. Hopefully, it’s two more to go.”
No doubt this week, memories will have come flooding back of that amazing day at Lord’s in September 2022 when the Diamonds beat the Vipers to lift the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy title.
They certainly will do even more so next week should the Diamonds qualify to face either the Vipers or the South East Stars, who play the other semi-final at Beckenham.
Levick bowled the deciding over in that Lord’s final as the Diamonds defended a 216-target target to win by two runs.
“We’re within touching distance again,” said Levick, who has claimed 18 wickets in the RHFT this season.
“That was a career highlight for a lot of the girls.
“You might never go onto international cricket, like myself, but those moments are so amazing.
“All season, we’ve said that we want nothing more than to finish our Diamonds tenure in a final.”
With Levick leaving for Durham, today could feasibly be her last ever career appearance at Headingley. That will also ring true for some other Diamonds players this weekend.
The chances are they will return as visiting players, but nothing is certain. The fixture planners may have other ideas. The thought has certainly crossed Yorkshire legend Levick’s mind.
The 33-year-old, who has penned a three-year contract with Durham, said: “I thought there was a good chance that the Vipers game last week could be my last ever game at Headingley.
“I’m just taking it all in because I’ve absolutely loved playing at Headingley.
“There’s no denying that I’m Yorkshire born and bred, and I’ve loved calling it home and my office. I’ll just enjoy every moment.
“I’ve loved every moment that I’ve run out on that pitch, and I’m so thankful that I get another opportunity to do it.”
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