‘SE Stars Women’ vs ‘Northern Diamonds W’ at Ageas Bowl, Southampton on 5 September (Charlotte Edwards Cup – Regional T20 – Final)
Alice Capsey partnered by Alice Davidson-Richards played a match-winning 2nd fifty-run partnership for ‘Stars,’ recovering from an earlier meltdown – which saw 4 wickets fall in just 15 deliveries. Both Alice’s batted sensibly to place ‘Stars’ within sight of their inaugural ‘Charlotte Edwards Cup’ trophy win. Collecting the trophy, ‘Stars’ skipper Bryony Smith told viewers that Alice Capsey was a ‘legend’ and that she was ‘absolutely buzzing.’
As seen on SKY Sports (commentators were Charles Dagnall with ex-England’s Rosalie Birch, Katie George and guest Emily Windsor from ‘Vipers’); also via social media: ‘ECB live’ & ESPN-cric-info (Valkerie Baynes.) Earlier that day, ‘Diamonds’ won their qualifier, beating ‘Vipers’ to play ‘Stars’ in the tournament’s final. Dagnall said teams were rewarded to finish top-of-group. Emily Windsor said that giving one team of players two games on the same day (whereas the other finalist played one) was ‘a little bit too much.’ Windsor posed the question whether a 24-hour hiatus between eliminator and final matches would seem fairer (i.e.: as was implemented for ‘The Hundred’.)
*’As in the qualifier, ‘Diamonds’ lost two early wickets during their power-play (30/2.) Leah Dobson was caught by Emma Jones from Alice Davidson-Richards’ 3rd ball.
*Lauren Winfield-Hill (0) was out ‘leg before’ to Grace Gibbs for a 3rd ball duck.
*Bess Heath (22) was ‘run out’ by Emma Jones before ‘Diamonds’ made 50.
*After 10 overs (mid-way) ‘Diamonds’ were 67/3 (vs 84/2); at which point ‘Stars’ skipper Bryony Smith bowled her 2nd and 3rd overs, dismissing Sterre Kalis (18) caught-and-bowled. Bryony Smith took a bruising to her upper arm, blocking a drive from fellow skipper Hollie Armitage, from Alice Davidson-Richards’ bowling (78/3; 12 ov.)
*At the 100 ball (16.4ov) benchmark, ‘Diamonds’ were 108/4.
*Hollie Armitage (59* runs from 48 balls) anchored the innings, bringing up her ‘fifty’ after striking Alice Davison-Richards for ‘four.’ ‘Diamonds’ posted a defendable score of 138 – that seemed fair for the good pitch and slowing outfield.
*‘Stars’ were ahead at the power-play, Aylish Cranstone and skipper Bryony Smith with 50 without loss (vs 30/2): reducing the run chase to one-run-per-ball.
*Losing 2 pairs of wickets either side of the half-way point gave commentators hope that ‘Diamonds’ were back in the game (in what had seemed a one-sided match.)
*Both openers departed before midway (84/2 vs 67/3)
*Another 2 wickets fell from Katie Levick’s bowling, four balls apart: Grace Gibbs (3) and Phoebe Franklin for a 2nd ball duck.
*Over-excited guest commentators spoke prematurely of witnessing a ‘meltdown’ as 4 wickets fell inside 15 deliveries, adding only 14 runs.
*Alice Capsey held her nerve ‘with great composure’ building a 2nd 50-run partnership with Alice Davidson-Richards for ‘Stars.’ ‘Stars’ inaugural trophy win was ‘delayed for a couple of minutes’ when Alice Davidson-Richards was dismissed: caught by ‘Diamonds’ skipper Hollie Armitage, from the bowling of Alex MacDonald-Gay (2/32).
Summarising the match, commentator Charles Dagnall said there was ‘really only one side in it’ beyond ‘Stars’’ power-play. ‘Diamonds’ made some mistakes in the field, allowing ‘Stars’ to stage two decisive 50-run partnerships. POTM Alice Capsey had seen ‘Stars’ crumble but played with composure: ‘at an age beyond her years.’ Separately, that Capsey had the right batting skills and could ‘execute shots at the right time;’ adding that Capsey was consistent and might soon be wearing an ‘England shirt.’
Final Result: The inaugural Charlotte Edwards Cup was won by SE Stars (women)
‘SE Stars -W’ 139/5 beat ‘Northern Diamonds -W’ 138/4 by 5 wickets with 12 balls remaining.
‘Northern Diamonds -W’ 138/4 (20 overs, 6.9 runs-per-over) Hollie Armitage 59 runs (from 48 balls) Jenny Gunn 22(16), Bess Heath 22 (22), Sterre Kalis 18(19); ‘Stars’ bowling: Grace Gibbs 1/13, Bryony Smith 1/22, Alice Davidson-Richards 1/28 ; Fow: 1-18, 2-22, 3-45, 4-88.
‘SE Stars -W’ 139/5 (18/20 ov, 7.72 r-p-o) Alice Capsey 40*(26), Bryony Smith 37(25), Aylish Cranstone 35(27), Alice Davidson-Richards 18*(20); ‘Diamonds’ bowling: Katie Levick 2/19, Alex MacDonald-Gay 2/32, Linsey Smith 1/29; Fow: 1-71, 2-81, 3-84, 4-85, 5-136.
Scorecard & commentary at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/charlotte-edwards-cup-2021-1252410/south-east-stars-vs-northern-diamonds-final-1252436/full-scorecard
Match video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skjLO6Im5OU&feature=emb_logo
