‘Oval Invincibles -W’ v ‘Trent Rockets -W’, at Kia Oval on 8th August – match abandoned
Awaiting the outcome of umpire’s pitch inspections commentators reviewed edited highlights of ‘Oval Invincibles’ three wins, the first of which was their historic inaugural match in ‘The Hundred’ women’s series against ‘Manchester Originals.’ Historians took note that South African Marizanne Kapp took the first wicket, South African Lizelle Lee hit the first ‘four’ and ‘Originals’ skipper Kate Cross hit the first ‘six’
SKY Sports viewers were then shown highlights of ‘Invincibles’ second and third wins. Firstly beating ‘London Spirit’ whose fielding was exemplary and secondly against ‘Birmingham Phoenix’ whose catching (dropping 5 chances) was described as ‘woeful.’ Commentators failed to mention for balanced reporting, that ‘Rockets’ had also beaten the same teams
Fast-forward to ‘Rockets’ defeat by table-topping ‘Brave’ who out-played them. Historically, it should not have escaped commentators’ attention that ‘Rockets’ were the first team to pass 150 runs – an innings that included 7 match-winning ‘sixes.’ By contrast, ‘Invincibles’ twice failed to chase down low scores. With the prospect of a ‘reduced overs’ match, players ‘needed to get a move-on’
Turning to ‘match-heros,’ both skippers (Natalie Sciver and Dane van Niekerk) had received Hero’s cap-and-medal for batting. For ‘Rockets:’ New Zealander Rachel Priest (for batting) and Australian Heather Graham (for bowling). For ‘Invincibles,’ 16yo Alice Capsey (for batting) and Tash Farrant (for bowling). Separately, Farrant is top of the bowler’s leader-board with a tally of 12 wickets-to-date
On the day, full credit must go to the umpires, who made both official and unofficial pitch inspections at regular intervals, choreographed with covers and motorized sponges. Sadly there was no appetite the 30-ball game as English summer rain intervened and the match was abandoned. Both teams move-up to share joint-second place with ‘Superchargers’ (all with 7 points each)
Result: ‘Oval Invincibles -W’ vs ‘Trent Rockets -W’ Match Abandoned: 1 point each
EPSN-cric-info’s Matt Roller was disappointed ‘not to’ see the Scots Bryce sisters playing on opposite sides
https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2021-1252659/oval-invincibles-women-vs-trent-rockets-women-22nd-match-1252721/live-cricket-score
