After a mammoth effort from the New Road ground staff, play was able to resume at 10.15am to finish the Charlotte Edwards Cup Final 2023.
The Southern Vipers headed into the day with the clear upper hand having reduced The Blaze to 53/4. The momentum stayed in the Vipers’ favour as The Blaze struggled to form any solid partnerships and put runs on the board. Marie Kelly top scored with 26* but that came from 36 deliveries, far below the required run rate.
Charlie Dean picked up two wickets with the ball this morning, finishing on figures of 2/21. Linsey Smith also finished her four overs economically, taking 1/15.
In response, the Vipers cruised needing 115 to win. The classic Danni Wyatt and Maia Bouchier partnership proved Vipers’ intent to win as they held a 67-run opening stand. Sarah Glenn bowled Bouchier on 25 but it proved the Vipers ploughed on.
Leading wicket-taker, Nadine de Klerk was brought back into the attack and quickly removed Wyatt for 50, LBW. Vipers skipper, Georgia Adams joined Ella McCaughan at the crease, looking to finish the game but spinner, Lucy Higham came on and saw the end of McCaughan thanks to some quick work behind the stumps from Sarah Bryce.
It was youngster Freya Kemp at the non-strikers’ end and skipper Adams at the crease. It was a second Charlotte Edwards Cup win for the Southern Vipers as Adams bottom-edged the ball behind the keeper to take her team over the line.
The Blaze’s unbeaten streak ended in the final but the East Midlands side has been transformed and still remain unbeaten in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
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