South East Stars only have themselves to blame for failing to qualify according to Tash Farrant

South East Stars bowler Tash Farrant admits not being able to get over the line in close matches is the reason behind the side’s disappointment at failing to qualify for Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day.

A 16-run defeat to Thunder at Blackpool means it is now impossible for the side to overtake today’s winners and the Northern Diamonds to finish third.

Farrant, who is herself recovering from a long-term back injury, believes her side showed good character throughout the tournament despite not achieving their goal of progressing.

After her team’s fourth defeat of the season, she said: “We pride ourselves on our T20 skills, so we’re disappointed not to qualify.

“We’ve had five close games that we just haven’t got over the line. It’s not an excuse, but T20 cricket can change in just a couple of balls.

“I think we’ve shown good fight in every single game that we’ve lost. We’ve got closer in a few of them than maybe we should have.”

On a hot, sunny day at Stanley Park, it was the home side who won the toss, electing to ask the Stars to field.

Farrant believed that although the travelling team could be content with their bowling effort, is was the problems with their fielding which prevented the side from restricting Thunder’s first-innings total. They ended on 165/5.

“I think we bowled alright. It was a good wicket out there so it was always going to be high scoring. In fact, we thought between 160 and 170 was going to be par.

“We let ourselves down in the field. We pride ourselves on being one of the best fielding teams out there, but we dropped a few catches and let a few more twos than we would have liked.

“Although I think it is quite tough to field on this outfield, we were just off the 8-ball in all three areas today, which is disappointing.”

The Stars got off to an electric start in their chase, racing to 55 without loss at the end of the powerplay, including a 19-run over in which Bryony Smith smashed two sixes.

Sitting at wicketless for 87 runs midway through the tenth over, with Smith reaching her half-century, the Stars collapsed, ending 149 all out, short of their target.

Farrant expressed her dismay at this collapse, especially given their excellent start.

She said: “Bryony [Smith] and Paige [Scholfield] got us off to a great start, but one of our top four had to go on and be there for the last couple of over.

“It is hard for the new batters to come in and go straight away requiring eight runs an over.

“We lost too many wickets, and needed one or two more partnerships to get us over the line.”

The England international has been limiting the amount she bowls throughout the tournament due to a back issue which saw her miss the majority of last season.

Farrant now believes her road to recovery is clear, and despite the disappointment of today, believes the Stars are ready to go again in their final game of the tournament, as well as the 50-over competition, where they sit third.

“I feel good, but it is a bit of a slow process coming back from injury.

“I’m just plugging away, doing what I can. I really wanted to win the game for the team with the bat, but unfortunately it didn’t come off.

“There’s plenty of cricket left this season, so it’s very simple now. Go and try and win on Wednesday to go out with a bit of momentum into the 50-over stuff.”