It felt like a new chapter of women’s domestic cricket started, with the fourth edition of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy commencing. A rebranding in the East Midlands and new, bright kits for other sides provided a fresh start and a few debuts across the country gave the chance for players to prove themselves in their new teams.
The sun rose after three long years
It’s the ultimate success story. The underdogs, who have never won a game take on the feared side and absolutely thrash them. That is exactly what Sunrisers did. A team hungry for a win, secured victory over the Southern Vipers thanks to a cohesive and impressive team performance.
Sunrisers won the toss and opted to batting, posting a beatable but respectable 288. All-rounder Mady Villiers top scored with 70 and 18-year-old Jodi Grewcock’s highest List A score of 69 was a welcome sight. As usual, Grace Scrivens was reliable with the bat, scoring 67 from 80 balls.
The Vipers struggled against Sunrisers’ numerous spin options, Maia Bouchier being the only player to make a half century. Scottish international, Abtaha Maqsood, was the stand out bowler recording career best figures of 5/30. Villiers also continued her standout all-round performance, taking three wickets.
Victory came in the 36th over and Sunrisers registered their first ever Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy match win!
The Stars shone…again
The South East Stars played confidently, securing a convincing 131 run win over the hosts, Thunder. With the Stars batting first, Alice Davidson-Richards offered 73 with the bat.
It was however, Stars debutant, Paige Scholfield who had the performance of the day. Scholfield scored her first century since 2013, scoring 111* from 90 balls. This aided the stars to a stellar 334/5 – the joint highest total in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
Thunder had a huge task on their hands which untimately was too tough. Former West Indies international, Deandra Dottin, was the pick of the batters, scoring a half century. Freya Davies’ three wicket haul and economic bowling across the board enabled the visitors to seal the win
The Diamonds gleamed despite the rain
Rain in Yorkshire? Never! Northern Diamonds’ title defence, starting with Western Storm was put on hold as the rain poured down over Headingley and the covers were very much on. Due to the showers, the match was reduced to 36 overs per side.
Lauren Winfield-Hill continued her fine form from last season, hitting a steady 75. Fellow wicket-keeper, Bess Heath displayed her explosive batting, striking 71 from 38 balls. South African all-rounder and Diamonds debutant, Chloe Tryon played similarly, calculating a speedy 63 from 36 deliveries. The Diamonds posed an impressive 290/8.
It was not an ideal start for the Storm slipping to 8/2 in the second over. Former England batter, Fran Wilson scored 43 and sipper, Sophie Luff recorded 33. Yorkshire stalwart, Katie Levick has other plans and took her 300th career wicket with figures of 4/36. Young seamers Abi Glen and Lizzie Scott took two wickets apiece to enable their 105 run win.
The Blaze alit on debut
The big day for The Blaze arrived, hosting Central Sparks at Trent Bridge. With colourful new kits for both sides and a rebranding in the East Midlands, it was the ultimate test of this new team.
England opener, Tammy Beaumont, steadied the innings for The Blaze, totalling 60 runs. Sparks bowlers, Grace Potts, Emily Arlott and Georgia Davis took three wickets apiece leaving The Blaze all out on 212.
Sparks looked stuck. No player scored a half-century or was close to a strike rate of 100 and so it was a quiet innings! New signings, Katie George, provided some generous hope by scoring 31 from 37 balls, including five boundaries.
Spinner, Lucy Higham took 5/19, supported by other economic bowling from The Blaze. Sparks were bowled out and The Blaze made history, taking the win in their first ever game.
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