Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Lauren Winfield-Hill has been speaking about the development of Academy all-rounder Ines Blackwell.
Captain Lauren Winfield-Hill believes Ines Blackwell has “a really big, bright future with Yorkshire”.
Academy all-rounder Blackwell only turned 17 last Saturday but has already turned herself into a key cog in the county’s first team, playing nine matches already this summer.
She has played seven times in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup and twice in the ongoing Vitality Blast, which sees the White Rose face Durham at Headingley on Friday afternoon (3pm).
A skilful seamer and an eye-catching middle order batter, Blackwell has bests of 4-61 and 33 to her name in 2026, both in 50-over cricket.
She has benefitted from the determination of Winfield-Hill, coach Rich Pyrah and general manager of cricket Gavin Hamilton to give chances to young players both last season and this.
And while results have not been where Yorkshire would like them to be, even though it is their first foray into Tier 1 this year, the development of Blackwell is a significant win.
“Ines is a wonderful young player,” said Winfield-Hill.
“She offers in both skillsets, and she’s only going to get better as she gets bigger and stronger.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.con. Ines Blackwell bats in the early-season Metro Bank One-Day Cup.
“But it’s her composure, really, and character which is the most impressive thing. She carries herself so well, she doesn’t get overawed, and she’s got a really big, bright future with Yorkshire.
“It’s been a bit sink or swim for her, hasn’t it, with us fast-tracking her. But it’s the nature of it, with the depth that we haven’t got in our squad. Sometimes, though, you find these little treasures. And she’s certainly been that.
“As I say, it’s the character which has been the most impressive thing with Ines.
“She’s so calm and so clear with what she’s trying to do. She may not always execute it, but that’s fine. She has a really good cricket brain. Everything she does, it’s all very logical.
“She doesn’t get too emotional, just plays things as they are. She’s been great for us.”
Yorkshire head into Friday’s double-header T20 day with the county’s men – they face Lancashire under lights, starting at 7pm – having lost four from four in the Blast. Most recently, they were beaten by Essex Eagles at Headingley last Friday night, by three runs. Yorkshire were bowled out for 143 in pursuit of 147.
Durham, meanwhile, have started impressively. They have won three of their four games so far and sit fourth in the table. They chased 154 to beat The Blaze by seven wickets at Trent Bridge on Sunday and currently hold one of the Finals Day qualifying berths with eight group games remaining.
Coached by Dani Hazell, they are captained by batter Hollie Armitage. Both return to Headingley for the first time since leaving for the North East when the Northern Diamonds team folded at the end of 2024.
Picture by Ashley Allen/Getty Images. Durham captain Hollie Armitage.
Durham have Australian all-rounder Heather Graham as their Blast overseas player. Bowling seam, she is the second leading wicket-taker in the competition with nine at present.
Friday afternoon will see Netherlands batter Sterre Kalis play her last match before departing for T20 World Cup duty. That could be the same for Rachel Slater, though the Scotland left-arm swing bowler has missed the last two Blast games through injury.
Academy fast bowler Gabriella Fontenla is also in the Scotland squad for the World Cup, though she is yet to make her senior debut for Yorkshire.
Winfield-Hill said: “It’s bigger picture stuff, isn’t it. I know they’re not England players, but they’re effectively getting to play in a home World Cup. Slats has grown up in Leeds and Sterre lives here now.
“It’s massive for them, it’s going to be a few weeks, and I’m really looking forward to seeing them get that opportunity to play in a World Cup in England. It’s going to be awesome.
“We will miss them, obviously. They will leave big holes. But we’re all really excited for them. It’s going to be a big learning experience for them, to play against some of the best players in the world, on the biggest stage and in front of some big crowds.
“They’ll be huge occasions for them to handle. But once they do, I’m sure they will probably feel like they can go on and do anything.”
Yorkshire and Durham played out a thrilling 50-over tie at Scarborough at the end of April. Both teams finished on 290. That was the game in which Blackwell took that aforementioned 4-61.
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWPix.com. Yorkshire captain Lauren Winfield-Hill at the crease during the ongoing Vitality Blast.