Flora Bertwistle, who made 50 appearances for Worcestershire in 2025, reflected on her experience as a player after another unforgettable summer in Rapids colours.
Since joining the team from Sussex in 2019, Bertwistle’s stats have increased annually, making him one of the Rapids’ most productive bowlers in both white-ball formats.
The spinner had her most successful year to date in 2025, taking 27 wickets in 15 competitive outings in the Vitality T20 Blast and the Metro Bank One Day Cup.
Bertwistle credited a winter of diligence and meticulous research for her achievement.
“I put a lot of effort into honing my control and variations throughout the winter, which has prepared me well for the season.
Having the chance to observe players this season, I made an effort to prepare how I was going to get each batter out.
“We also discussed as a bowling unit how we wanted the percentage of balls hitting the stumps to be as high as possible.”
In July, Bertwistle’s brilliant four-over session against the Northants Steelbacks at Visit Worcestershire New Road yielded top figures of 3-11.
Her explosive white-ball form allowed her to average an incredible nine with the ball in the Vitality T20 Blast.
The bowler moved closer to the century mark with the haul of wickets, raising her Worcestershire total to 81.
This summer, the Women’s Rapids faced a more difficult challenge when they moved up to Tier 2, but the spinner says she has embraced the change, although her team just missed qualifying in both formats.
Tier 2 has been a lot of fun for me. The largest change is that the standard has been much raised, meaning that you must work hard both individually and as a team to achieve outcomes.
“However, I have adored it.” Over the course of the summer, Ed Wilson faced numerous challenges, including disruptions and forced team changes.
Hannah Hardwick was called back by her parent club, Ruby Davis and Phoebe Brett both had stints away from the team on Tier 1 loan deals, while other players left New Road in the middle of the season.
As a result, rookie players Caitlin Baker-Smith and Bryony Gillgrass demonstrated their abilities, while experienced players Clare Boycott and Bertwistle herself took the initiative to lead the team.
According to Bertwistle, the squad’s atmosphere and group dynamic are what make it such a fun and inspiring team to be a part of.
“I consider it a huge honour to play for Worcestershire, and I love it.” I enjoy sharing the changing room with this wonderful group of gals.
Because of the diversity in age and experience, everyone can benefit from one another’s knowledge.
“What’s important to me is that the atmosphere that Boycs [Clare Boycott] and the coach create allows players to be themselves and always feel comfortable.”
Before the 2026 season, Bertwistle will not be resting on her laurels, despite the fact that one of her best seasons to date is coming to an end.
The Rapids’ star bowler, who took a brief hiatus following surgery, stated that her desire to succeed as a team and advance personally is very much at the top of her mind as the team enters its second season in Tier 2.
“As a group, we aim to achieve the level of performance consistency that this level demands. We will then be able to compete fiercely in every competition. “In the short term,
I will be putting a lot of effort into my rehabilitation because I have surgery in a few weeks and I want to continue taking wickets for Worcestershire and competing for trophies next season.”