‘Central Sparks’ vs ‘Lightning’ at Worcester on 28 August (Charlotte Edwards Cup – Regional T20 – Group A)
The match was broadcast live by both sides, via social media (ESPN-cric-info & you-tube) A ‘must win’ match for ‘Central Sparks.’
*Batting first, ’Lightning’s’ top 5 batters made double figures, keeper Abigail Freeborn made top score (32)
*Openers Bethany Harmer (26) and Sonia Odera (22) were out within six balls of each other
*’Lightning’ were 72/2 at half-way and 114/4 at 16.4 ov, (the 100 ball benchmark)
*Emily Arlott took 2 wickets bowling the death over, Captain Kirstie Gordon was caught by Marie Kelly and top scorer Abigail Freeborn was caught by Emily Jones, from the final ball.
*By comparison ’Sparks’ were level pegging: 71/3 at half-way and 110/3 at 16.4 ov, (100 ball benchmark)
*Both ‘Lightning’ opening bowlers took first-over wickets, Ballinger bowling six ‘dots’ compared to Sophie Munro
*Sophie Munro was more expense but took the crucial wicket of Marie Kelly (6) caught by Bethany Harmer. Marie Kelly scored a ‘ton’ in the previous match, only a few days ago.
* ‘Lightning’s’ Sonia Odera struck twice during the penultimate over, first dismissing ‘Sparks’ skipper Eve Jones (71) caught by Natalie Graves. Also, Odera clean-bowled Emily Arlott (0) for a golden duck
* Tight finish as Issy Wong (13*) hit ‘Sparks’ winning ‘four’ from ‘Lightning’s’ penultimate ball.
Result: ‘Sparks’ 139/6 beat ‘Lightning’ 136/8 by 4 wickets (with one ball remaining)
‘Lightning’ 136/8 (20 ov. 6.8 runs-per-over)
Abigail Freeborn 32(33), Bethany Harmer 26(19), Sonia Odera 22(22) Lucy Higham 22(22); ‘Sparks’ bowling: Emily Arlott 2/13, Ria Fackrell 2/27, Eve Jones 1/17, Anisha Patel 1/27, Clare Boycott 1/27; Fow 1-55, 2-57, 3-95, 4-114, 5-121, 6-128, 7-136, 8-136;
‘Sparks’ 163/4 (19.5/20 ov. 7 r.p.o) ‘Sparks’ Eve Jones 71(55); Thea Brookes 17 (27), Gwenan Davies 15(19), Issy Wong 13*(8); ‘Lightning’ bowling: Sonia Odera 2/14, Teresa Graves 1/11, Sophie Munro 1/13, Grace Ballinger 1/21, Yvonne Graves 1/24; Fow 1-17, 2-17, 3-67, 4-116, 5-131, 6-131;
Match broadcast provided by Central Sparks via ‘youtube’ at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hODmvBLFwHo
