Round two of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, accompanied by blue skies and high temperatures, provided some shock results, outstanding performances and some even better comebacks. Central Sparks defeated the trophy holders, Northern Diamonds while in the South, the Vipers returned to their winning ways. The Blaze continued to roar as they beat the Sunrisers in a low scoring clash. In Wales, the Western Storm crushed the Thunder thanks to their new recruit.
The Sparks Reignited
Coming off a defeat away last weekend, the Sparks returned to New Road, Worcester to face champions, Northern Diamonds. A team effort with the ball, including 4/19 from Georgia Davis saw the Diamonds bowled out for a measly 161. Lauren Winfield-Hill top scored with 42 (40) but Hannah Baker, Katie George and Issy Wong, with two wickets apiece, gave the Sparks belief.
The hosts got off to a slow start, losing a wicket early on. However, the 98-run partnership between skipper, Eve Jones – who finished on 67* - and Abbey Freeborn, comfortably progressed Sparks’ innings.
Despite the efforts of Katie Levick and Chloe Tryon, reducing the run rate significantly with their spin bowling, Davina Perrin game in to score 30 and departed shortly before her team were able to secure a 7 wicket win.
The Vipers Bit Back
Vipers let the cricket do the talking, beating the South East Stars by 158 runs following their disastrous loss against the Sunrisers last week. Maia Bouchier and Georgia Elwiss contributed significantly with the bat, both scoring 59 but it was Ella McCaughan who was the pick of the batters, top scoring with 67.
The Stars utilised nine bowlers – it was only England all-rounder, Alice Capsey and Stars’ wicket-keeper Kira Chathli who did not make an appearance with the ball. England left-arm seamer, Tash Farrant returned for the Stars after missing the 2022 season with injury.
The Vipers set 287/6 which the stars could not match. Paige Scholfield, the hero of the side last week, top scored, accumulating a slow 31. Pacer, Lauren Bell took four-fer while Charlie Dean picked up three wickets and Alice Monaghan took two, the Stars ending all out for 129.
The Blaze continued to Roar
A 66-run opening partnership between Grace Scrivens and Cordelia Griffith seemed like textbook ‘Tennant Ball’, on course for a high total. Failure down the order left the Sunrisers all out for 159.
Spin was yet again, The Blaze’s key to success, leggie, Sarah Glenn, taking 4/22. Kirstie Gordon, Sophie Munro and Kathryn Bryce took two wickets apiece.
Blaze’s innings was anchored by Tammy Beaumont who scored 64 from 75 balls but after three quick ducks, it was the lower order who had to step up. Glenn starred again, scoring 30 and supported by South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk who totalled 25.
Amara Carr, however, had a day out behind the stumps taking three catches and one stumping to see off the top four. Kate Coppack was the pick of the bowlers which three wickets to her name. Skipper, Kelly Castle picked up two wickets in the losing cause – the Blaze getting over the line in the 36th over.
The Storm found an Irish charm
Both sides have been the talk of the cricket town with Western Storm signing Ireland all-rounder, Orla Prendergast and Thunder calling up 17-year-old left-arm seamer Mahika Gaur.
England opener, Emma Lamb, scored a comfortable 74, forming a 69-run partnership with Deandra Dottin who acclimated 41 at a run a ball. The Thunder fell short of seeing their overs out, concluding in the 45th over on 214.
Storm’s wicket takers were spread across the team, Chloe Skelton taking three while Lauren Filer and Dani Gibson took two each, Sophia Smale and Alex Griffiths took one each.
Western Storm’s hero was debutant Orla Prendergast. Straight out of Ireland, Prendergast scored 115 at a run a ball to place her new team in prime position. Former England batter, Fran Wilson, supported this innings scoring 74* - the pair holding a 186-run partnership.
Despite the Storm comfortably winning by 6 wickets, Thunder’s debutant, Mahika Gaur announced herself in the side, taking 3/39 from her 10 overs, including two maiden overs.
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