‘A Few Runs Light’ As Phoenix Bowler Kirstie Has A Belter-Of-A-Day at Old Trafford
Manchester Originals Women v Birmingham Phoenix Women – at Old Trafford on 25 July
Receiving ‘Hero-of-the-Match’ award from Mark Butcher, ‘Originals’ Spinner Kirstie Gordon knew her side was ‘a few runs light,’ which she said ‘Phoenix’ bowlers more than made-up for later in the match. The left-arm Spinner took most wickets (3/14), bowled most ‘dot’ balls (11) made two catches. She also hit ‘5 not out’ with her bat
‘The Hundred’s’ sixth match was broadcast live (commentators included Lydia Greenway, Rob Key, Andrew Flintoff, and Mark Butcher) from SKY Sports TV; plus cricket social media (Andrew Gardner and Peter Della Penna for epsn-cric-info.)
Before the match, commentators reminded viewers that ‘both sides had yet to win’ and two points were at stake
‘Phoenix’ were peppered by 44 dot balls, scoring 9 ‘fours’ and 1 ‘six; compared to ‘Originals’ who faced fewer dots (35), scoring fewer ‘fours’ (4) and no ‘sixes. ‘Phoenix’ skipper Amy Jones (31 runs from 17 balls) hit the only ‘six.’ Given the relatively low run-rate and score, ‘Phoenix’ were aware they were ‘a few runs light’ at 113/9
Enter Kirstie Gordon, whose fourth and six balls dismissed ‘Originals’ openers Lizelle Lee (7) and Emma Lamb (4) at a cost of five runs, from ten balls. Both openers are overdue big scores during the ‘power-play.’
*Emma Lamb was trapped ‘leg before’ and South Africa’s Liselle Lee was caught at ‘square leg’ by substitute fielder Phoebe Franklin. Having scored only two ‘fours’ during the power-play, commentators thought that ‘Phoenix’ were back in the game.
*Taking a third wicket, Kirstie Gordon dismissed Sophie Ecclestone (1), thanks to the skipper’s stumping. Separately she took two catches, dismissing Georgie Boyce (3) and Cordelia Griffith (3)
*Once another two wickets fell without scoring any ‘fours’ on the longer leg-side, the required run-rate topped two-runs-per-ball. At that point, commentators rightly predicted a ‘Phoenix’ win.
*’Originals’ hopes were pinned on India’s Harmanpreet Kaur (49* from 47) who spent lengthy period getting treatment on the field, following a horizontal dive to avoid being ‘run out.’ Commentators mentioned that Harmanpreet was carrying an earlier back injury and wouldn’t be scampering singles. At close, only two ‘Originals’ players (Harmanpreet Kaur and Eleanor Threlkeld) had made double figures
Result: Birmingham Phoenix (Women) 113-9 (20 ov) beat Manchester Originals (Women) 93-8 (20 ov.) by 20 runs
Birmingham Phoenix W (BP-W) 113-9 @ 1.13 runs-per-ball: Amy Jones 31 from 17, Gwenan Davies 20 from 17, Issy Wong 10 from 13; MO-W bowling: Emma Lamb 3/16, Sophie Ecclestone 2/14, Laura Jackson 2/26, Kate Cross 1/22; Fow: 1-21, 2-25, 3-31, 4-35, 5-67, 6-68, 7-79, 8-107, 9-107
Manchester Originals W (MO-W) 93-8 @ 0.93 rpb: Harmanpreet Kaur 49* (47), Eleanor Threlkeld 17 (18); BP-W bowling: Kirstie Gordon 3/14, Abtaha Maqsood 2/14, Georgia Elwiss 2/27, Issy Wong 1/13; Fow: 1-12, 2-12, 3-24, 4-35, 5-77, 6-79, 7-82, 8-88
Scorecard at https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2021-1252659/manchester-originals-women-vs-birmingham-phoenix-women-6th-match-1252705/full-scorecard
