The Blaze have secured their ticket to finals day at New Road and the Sunrisers have ruled themselves very much out. Thunder had a good run of winning but the Vipers were keen to come back and find their winning formula. The Blaze remain unbeaten but that meant the Diamonds suffered their first loss. Western Storm have been quiet but they enjoyed a victory midweek.
Thunder’s Momentum
Thunder were able to keep their momentum as they thrashed Central Sparks at New Road. Emma Lamb was every present, scoring 64 from 49 balls, aided by Fi Morris who contributed an all-round performance including 36 runs with the bat – the pair forming a 91-run partnership. In a classic Dottin innings, Deandra hit 24 off only 11 balls to help Thunder reach 155.
On debut, Bethan Ellis took 2/22, while Erin Burns added to her large number of wickets this season taking 2/25 from her four overs.
With 156 to win, Sparks lost their opening pair within the first two overs. 16-year-old Davina Perrin came to the crease and calmed the waters, forming a 52-run partnership with Australian star, Erin Burns. However, Morris and Tara Norris took two wickets apiece and left-arm seamers Mahika Gaur and Naomi Dattani had strong performances – taking a wicket each.
Thunder took the win by 36 runs as the Sparks only managed to reach 119 in their 20 overs.
Beating the Champions
It was a testing game for the Blaze on a slow wicket but they came out on top, beating the Champions. Southern Vipers has little celebrate with the bat, The Blaze bowling them out for a mere 118. Kathryn Bryce, Nadine de Klerk and Sophie Munro took three wickets apiece but all bowlers had a strong day with the ball.
Tammy Beaumont featured for The Blaze, finishing 49*, getting her team over the line. It still was not an outstanding performance batting wise for the East Midlands side as they only won with two balls to spare. Anya Shrubsole and Mary Taylor were economically excellent and Linsey Smith took two important wickets.
Stuck in a Rut
Sunrisers fell to defeat yet again despite a much more positive performance with the bat. Batting first, the Sunrisers set a total of 149/6 – their highest total of the tournament this year. Lissy Macleod scored 34 from 28 but it was Jo Gardener’s 37* from 29 deliveries which kept the Sunrisers stable.
Lauren Filer and Chloe Skelton stood out taking two wickets apiece, both continuing their good form. Western Storm had so far been poor with the bat across both competitions but Dani Gibson and Fran Wilson’s 115 run partnership – from only 79 balls inspired the win for the Storm.
Back to Winning Ways
The Southern Vipers kept their finals day hopes alive with a comfortable win over the Thunder, who were placed next to them in the table. Thunder were bowled out for 111 – missing key opener Emma Lamb to England duties.
Anya Shrubsole and spinners, Linsey Smith and Georgia Adams all registered strong figures, take two wickets each. However, Georgia Elwiss only conceded 14 runs from her four overs, helping to suffocate Thunder’s runs.
Ella McCaughan built an innings, scoring 42 from 37 before being bowled by Thunder debutant Olivia Bell. Skipper, Georgia Adams then came in, hitting 36 from 28 but it was Elwiss and Emily Windsor at the crease to see the Vipers over the line in the 17th over.
Blaze to Finals Day
A quieter innings from Northern Diamonds saw Lauren Winfield-Hill top scoring with 40. The in-form Nadine de Klerk was expensive but took three wickets, supported by the similarly expensive Kirstie Gordon to took two. The Diamonds finished on 129/7 – a lower total to defend.
The task was too big for the Diamonds’ bowlers as Sarah Bryce hit a winning knock of 67* assisted by de Klerk who scored 21* staying at the crease to the end. The Blaze got over the line to book their space at finals day in the 16th over.
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