The last few days have seen some big crowds, huge viewing figures and plenty of cricket at big grounds. There have been little surprises but the Charlotte Edwards Cup is shaping up well.
The Crowd’s First
At 11am, Edgbaston Stadium was bouncing with the sound of hundred of school children coming to watch Sparks face the Diamonds. It was certainly a thriller of a game – one which would have been many of the crowd’s first experience of cricket.
Being bowled out for 135, it was not the idea start for the Northern Diamonds. Young prospect, Leah Dobson, top scored with 41 from 25 balls and Hollie Armitage and Katherine Fraser contributed with scores of 27 and 26 respectively.
Once again, it was off-spinner, Georgia Davis who was the pick of the bowlers for the Sparks. Davis took 3/13 while Erin Burns and Em Arlott took two wickets apiece.
It was a slow response from the Sparks – other than a quick cameo of 22 from 13 balls by Abbey Freeborn – and the hosts failed to reach the total by three runs.
Berkshire’s First
In a historic first women’s professional game in Berkshire, the Vipers started their Charlotte Edwards Cup title defence against the South East Stars. It was the dream start for the Stars with Sophia Dunkley and Bryony Smith holding an 134 run opening partnership. The Stars were sailing – losing their first wicket in the 15th over. The Stars, however, after Smith was ran out for 83 and Dunkley was dismissed for 53, quickly slumped to 167/6, losing 5 wickets for only 33 runs.
Set with a total of 170, the Vipers came out with flair to chase down the total. High strike rates were the key and Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt held a 56 run partnership from only 18 balls. Wyatt top scored with 40 runs from 20 deliveries but it was Charlie Dean’s rapid 20 from 9 deliveries got the Vipers over the line.
Sunrisers’ Lords First
Sunrisers failed to register their first win on their Lords debut and it was the South East Stars who came out on top in the London derby.
The Sunrisers concluded their innings on 132/8 after some modest individual performances. Despite a collapse in the middle overs, Jo Gardener and new signing, Eva Gray, rescued the innings, adding 48 runs in 37 balls. Paige Scholfield – who has made headlines for her batting – starred with the ball, taking 3/24.
Stars skipper, Bryony Smith, continued her fine form, top scoring with 38 runs. Phoebe Franklin scored a respectable 30 runs but it was England star Alice Capsey who fired, scoring a rapid 24 from 10 deliveries.
Sunrisers came closer to their first win but the South East Stars had the better trip to the Home of Cricket.
Not Thunder’s First
Taking the prime slot at Old Trafford and reaching over 100,000 views on Lancs TV, Thunder faced the unbeaten Blaze. Despite the home loss, there were clear improvements for the side.
After losing two early wickets, it was not going to be simple for the hosts but a steady innings of 26 from 32 by Liberty Heap. Returning to the side, Kate Cross featured with the bat, scoring 22 from 15 – Thunder finishing on an under par 117/5.
Blaze’s bowling attack was consistent and accurate with all five bowlers taking wickets. Tammy Beaumont performed with the bat, smashing 38 from 21 balls but Thunder managed to reapply pressure – The Blaze losing three wickets for ten runs.
Fi Morris and Sophie Ecclestone excelled with the ball taking two wickets apiece but it the visitors took the win in the 16th over to continue their unbeaten run
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