A picturesque New Road was the setting for the 2023 Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day with Worcester Cathedral providing a quaint backdrop. In typical fashion, the Vipers comfortably won the semi-final securing their place in the final against The Blaze, ready to defend their title. Thunder and lightning were the real stars of the show prolonging the trophy lift and leaving the teams in suspense as to who will take the title.
Vipers show experience against first-timers Thunder
Thunder won toss and put in the Vipers to bat hoping to reduce them to a chaseable total. Ecclestone opened bowling but the Vipers started as they meant to go on, punishing the Thunder bowlers.
Thunder utilised four different bowlers however it didn’t prevent the Vipers’ explosive start as they scored 50/0 from the powerplay – Maia Bouchier striking 32 from 19 balls, Danni Wyatt, playing a more reserved 17 from 17. The partnership proved more and more difficult to break with the Vipers openers hitting over the fielders and finding the gaps.
Despite looking for the breakthrough, Thunder’s fielding remained somewhat sloppy and potential catch opportunities were wasted. At the half way stage, the Vipers were comfortably 93/0 – Thunder looking defeated. Bouchier’s half century came in the 11th over 29 balls including nine boundaries and moments later was Wyatt’s time to lift her bat up as her 50 came from 34 deliveries.
After an 108-run partnership, the much-needed breakthrough came as Bouchier skied up Mahika Gaur’s delivery which was taken safely by wicket-keeper Ellie Threlkeld. Wyatt pressed on but Georgia Adams was caught for 5 by Deandra Dottin with a simple catch off the bowling of off-spinner Olivia Bell.
This set a trend as Bell got her second wicket of the day, dismissing Wyatt – a vital interruption to the Vipers’ batting. Two very quickly became four for Bell as she saw off Freya Kemp and Ella McCaughan.
A wicket fell in the final over, seeing of Georgia Elwiss but it a fiery over, the Southern Vipers finishing on 191/6 setting a tough total for the Thunder to chase.
An early wicket fell in what was always going to be a difficult chase, as Emma Lamb departed for 4. Liberty Heap and Fi Morris found some rhythm holding a 44-run partnership from only 29 balls. Heap was deceived by the bowling of Linsey Smith bringing in Deandra Dottin for the end of the powerplay where Thunder reached 50/2.
Morris was unlucky as she departed for 36, her shot plucked out of the air by Elwiss – a catch certainly for the highlights reel! The favour continued to swing in Thunder’s favour as Dottin was caught by Bouchier, taking Thunder to 84/4 in the 10th over.
The Thunder continued to struggle, Ecclestone going with 6 overs to go and the run rate was only rising. There were some key errors in the field by the Vipers which could have cost them had the opposition been stronger.
When it mattered, however, the Vipers stepped up when it mattered taking two wickets in the final and securing the win to see them through to the final, beating Thunder by 18 runs.
Trophy Lift...pending...
Losing the toss for the second time in the day, Georgia Adams led out her side to bowl first as Tammy Beaumont and Sarah Bryce made their way to the crease to open The Blaze’s innings. The Vipers showed their intent early as Anya Shrubsole struck with her third ball, removing Beaumont LBW for 4.
The Blaze fought back with a couple of boundaries but veteran Shrubsole starred again seeing off Sarah Bryce for 13. It was a tepid powerplay for The Blaze as they scored 34/2. Perhaps the dark clouds over the Cathedral end was a premonition of what was to come as Boyce nicked one through to the keeper, Nicole Faltum so end her innings of 21 at a-run-a-ball.
Thunder started rumbling and the light started to fade as Linsey Smith bowled Kathryn Bryce – The Blaze slumping to 53/4. Lighting struck – not a reference to the former branding of The Blaze – and the players were set back indoors.
Play was abandoned as the outfield was drenched and there was little hope of the pitch drying up. However, there is a contingency day which means that tomorrow, there will be an attempt at play from both sides to decide on a winner.
The main issue of the lack of drainage at New Road and the significant saturation of the ground which may prevent play tomorrow. Poor weather is also scheduled again tomorrow and the ECB have confirmed that there will be a 7am pitch inspection before a scheduled 10am start.
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