‘Northern Diamonds’ vs ‘Western Storm’ at Chester-le-Street on 28 August (Charlotte Edwards Cup – Regional T20 – Group B)
*‘Storm’ saw-off their main competition, beating second-placed ‘Diamonds’ to go top of ‘Group B’ *Batting first, more than half ‘Storm’s’ deliveries to ‘Diamonds’ were ‘dot’ balls. *Separately, ‘Storm’ faced a similar number of ‘dot’ balls.
*At midway, ‘Diamonds’ were 51/4 (level-pegging when compared to ‘Storm’s’ reply at 49/3.) Both teams had lost 6 wickets by the 100 ball benchmark (16.4 overs) (‘Diamonds’ on 84/6 compared to ‘Storm’s’ 90/6.)
*Both ‘Diamonds’’ openers were out from Lauren Parfitt’s bowling. Leah Dobson (2) was ‘run out’ by Danielle Gibson, and Bess Heath (14) was caught in the deep by Katie George. Hollie Armitage was also ‘run out’ from Danielle Gibson’s bowling. Four balls later, Sterre Kalis (12) was caught by Georgia Hennessy off Nicole Harvey.
*Two more wickets fell during the next 39 balls, without a single ‘four’ scored. ‘Diamonds’ finished their innings with a flurry of 3 fours and 3 wickets. *During the penultimate over Fi Morris bowled Alex Macdonald (22) and Jenny Gunn (18.)
*First ball of Danielle Gibson’s (1/18) death over dismissed Rachel Slater, ‘leg before.’
*’Storm’s’ Opener Georgia Hennessy (0) fell for a first-ball golden duck from Linsey Smith (‘leg before’.)
*Fellow opener Fi Morris (4) was bowled by Rachel Slater’s second ball.
*Thereafter, Sophie Luff (60* runs from 54 balls) played a ‘long-overdue’ skipper’s innings, belting the only crowd-pleasing ‘six’ of the day.
*Bowlers-turned-batters Katie George (14) and Lauren Parfitt (20*) saw ‘Storm’ across the line.
Result: ‘Western Storm’ 111/6 beat ‘Northern Diamonds’ 110/9 by 4 wickets and 3 balls remaining.
‘Diamonds’: 110/9 (20 ov. 5.50 runs-per-over); Alex Macdonald 22 runs (from 20 balls), Jenny Gunn 18(26); Bess Heath 14(15), Sterre Kalis 12(17); ‘Storm’ bowling: Nicole Harvey 2/20, Fi Morris 2/24, Georgia Hennessy 1/15, Danielle Gibson 1/18, Lauren Parfitt 1/20; Fow 1-22, 2-30, 3-45, 4-47, 5-56, 6-62, 7-98, 8-103, 9-103;
‘Storm’ 111/6 (19.3/20ov. 5.69 runs-per-over) Sophie Luff 60*(54), Lauren Parfitt 20*(17), Katie George 14 (22); Diamonds’ bowling: Rachel Slater 2/16, Linsey Smith 2/18, Hollie Armitage 1/13, Katie Levick 1/24; Fow 1-0, 2-6, 3-14, 4-63, 5-75, 6-78.
Scorecard at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/charlotte-edwards-cup-2021-1252410/northern-diamonds-vs-western-storm-group-b-1252429/full-scorecard
