The Southern Vipers made it two wins out of two in the Kia Super League as they came away from sunny Blackpool with an 11 run victory over a below par Lancashire Thunder.
Despite being without their talismanic skipper Charlotte Edwards the Vipers recovered from 34-3 to reach 132-4 from their 20 overs with the score proving just enough against the slightly unlucky hosts.
Having chosen to bat, the Vipers were quickly in trouble when opener Georgia Adams was bowled by the sixth ball of the innings as Hayley Matthews got one to turn sharply and hit the stumps.
Skipper Suzie Bates soon followed when she slapped another Matthews delivery straight to Natalie Brown at point for 15 and when Izzy Collis edged behind off Deandra Dottin’s first delivery, the Thunder looked to be well on top.
But Sara McGlashan had other ideas as the Kiwi international steadily rebuilt the innings with the help of former Lancastrian Arran Brindle who offered valuable support as McGlashan went through the gears after Lydia Greenway had departed for 11.
McGlashan hit the one six of the innings as she hit the unfortunate Kate Cross back over her head with the New Zealander reaching her 50 off 48 balls in the final over with Brindle remaining unbeaten on 29.
The unbeaten partnership of 70 for the fifth wicket left the Vipers with a spring in their step and they carried the momentum into their bowling when Matthews departed in the first over after hitting a Morna Nielsen full toss straight at Brindle at mid-on.
A topsy turvy game then swung in Thunder’s direction as Emma Lamb and skipper Amy Satterthwaite compiled a second wicket partnership worth 56 before the New Zealander picked out McGlashan on the boundary off Linsey Smith for 31.
With Lamb still at the crease Thunder looked to have a chance but when she was run out for 34 going for a suicidal run after hitting the ball straight to Nielsen the game was all but up for the home side.
Danielle Wyatt impressed with a 28 ball 29 as she and Laura MacLeod dragged Thunder to within range but with 18 required off the last over it was all but finished as Bates picked up two late wickets to finish with 2-20 and the hosts needing two wins from their remaining games if they are to progress.
Result: Southern Vipers (132 for 4) defeat Lancashire Thunder (121 for 7) by 11 runs.
Thunder’s next match is away to Surrey Stars on Tuesday 09 August starting 2:30pm at Guildford Cricket Club. For full fixtures and tickets visit: www.lancashirecricket.co.uk/thundertickets.
Report courtesy of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
