As anticipated, the rain ruined some of the fun but a tight game up in Scarborough and a huge win for the Sparks provided some entertainment midweek for women’s cricket fans.
Super Sterre & Wooley
Displays of excellent cricket were seen from both sides as the Diamonds took on the Stars in Scarborough. Young seamer, Jess Wollston took her career best figures and maiden five-fer – the first five wickets of the game. There were spectacular catches by Sterre Kalis and Bess Heath – videos that should be on repeat!
Despite failures among the batting, Sophia Dunkley hit an unbeaten century at a run a ball to see her team to 223. Lizzie Scott and Abi Glen took 2 wickets each while Katie Levick took the final one to bowl the visitors out.
An opening partnership of 88 between Lauren Winfield-Hill and Sterre Kalis was the ideal start for the hosts. Bess
Heath hit 33 from 22 balls but it was Kalis, the Dutch international who was the pick of the batters, scoring with 66*. Lizzie Scott hit the winning runs, securing the victory for the Diamonds.
This means that the Diamonds now sit in 3rd on 14 points but the South East Stars remain ahead on 15 points – 2nd in the table.
Jones squared
Erin Burns is truly showing what it means to be an impact player and after taking a five wicket haul today, she has totalled nine wickets from just two appearances. This enabled the Sparks to bowl the Vipers out for 180 – something the team in orange are not familiar with. Taking 3/19, Georgia Davis continued her fine form. She has taken a staggering 12 wickets so far this season – 8 more than she took in last year’s tournament.
Ella McCaughan top scored for the Vipers with 59. Georgia Adams, Linsey Smith, Nicole Faltum and Alice Monaghan all hit into the twenties with the rest of the line up failing to get out of single figures. There was a debut for Australian wicket-keeper, Faltum, who has been training with the squad in recent weeks.
Sparks had to back up their excellent bowling performance with the bat. That is exactly what they did. Eve Jones scored 73, holding a 68 run partnership with Abbey Freeborn, followed by an 85 run partnership with Amy Jones who played for the side for the first time this season.
The Sparks cruised across the line, Erin Burns hitting the winning runs in the 42nd over. Sparks moved to 11 points, but sit just below the Vipers in the table who have a slightly better net run rate.
Washed out
The undefeated Blaze had a challenge on their hands after both their openers were dismissed for 1. Georgie Boyce and Kathryn Bryce steadied the innings with a 50 run partnership however, a quick succession of wickets left the side 99/6. Nadine de Klerk scored 46 and Kirstie Gordon and Grace Ballinger managed to stubbornly bat out the rest of the 50 overs – finishing on 209/9.
The wickets were shared out – Alex Griffiths, Chloe Skelton and Dani Gibson taking two apiece and Mollie Robbins, Lauren Filer and the economical Sophie Smale taking one each.
Five overs into Storm’s innings, the rain poured down in Leicester meaning the covers were on and the players were off. With a minimum of 20 overs needed for a result and the rain still pouring, the match was called off. The Blaze and Western Storm have now both had two games called off due to rain.
The Blaze sit at the top of the table on 19 points while the Storm are in 6th place with one win under their belt.
When it rains, it pours
It was not the ideal start for Thunder, losing two quick wickets to Eva Gray but with Emma Lamb on 28* and 9*, the innings was building well.
The rain had other plans, washing out the entire game. This means that Thunder finish on 6 points heading into the break in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy – two losses and a no result.
Sunrisers, on the other hand have managed to put 7 points on the board after their huge win, earning them the full five points and two points from today’s no result. Last season they totalled two so it’s certainly an improvement!
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