Southern Vipers Women vs Northern Diamonds at Ageas Bowl, Southampton on 5 September (Charlotte Edwards Cup – Regional T20 – Semi-final)
Hitting top score of the day, POTM Lauren Winfield-Hill (65 runs from 49 balls) was one of three players from either side who made double-figures; her total score exceeding the combined total of the 3 ‘Vipers’ players who made double-figures. Winfield-Hill also staged a 50-run partnership with ‘Diamonds’ skipper Hollie Armitage. For an encore, Lauren Winfield-Hill also caught Georgia Elwiss (from Linsey Smith) who went cheaply (9.)
Amusingly, Charles Dagnall said that ‘Diamonds’ win made certain that ‘Vipers’ coach Charlotte Edwards’ ‘wasn’t going to win her own ‘Charlotte Edwards Cup.’
Separately, ‘Diamond’s’ play ‘SE Stars’ in the same-day final.
As seen on SKY Sports and ‘ECB live’ (commentators were Charles Dagnall with Katie George from ‘Western Storm’); also social media: ESPN-cric-info (Valkerie Baynes). Previously, ’Vipers’ finished second-placed to ‘Stars.’ Dagnall said that ‘Vipers’ might well ‘feel aggrieved,’ deprived of regular players Maia Bouchier and Charlie Dean. By contrast, 3rd placed ‘Diamonds’ finished top of their group on equal points, edging out ‘Storm’ by their superior average run-rate.
*’Diamonds’ made a slow start, losing both openers during their power-play.
*Leigh Dobson had an early reprieve when Paige Schofield dropped her at ‘mid-off’ from Tara Norris’ 2nd ball.
*Misjudging Lauren Bell’s pace firstly saw Dobson (1) ‘run out’ and secondly Bess Heath (9) was clean-bowled by Lauren Bell one over later.
*’Diamonds’ recovered as Lauren Winfield-Hill (65 from 49) with skipper Hollie Armitage (25 from 22) chalked-up ‘Diamonds’’ 50 just before mid-way (54/2); cementing their ‘fifty’ partnership 2 overs later.
*Short of regular bowlers, ‘Vipers’ skipper Georgia Adams bought herself after 8 overs. 10 overs later Adams was struck for 12 runs by Winfield-Hill then ‘clean-bowled’ her.
*Jenny Gunn (T20 veteran of 17 years) played an entertaining cameo (22* from 14) clobbering Tara Norris for 16 runs, including 2 towering ‘sixes.’
* In contrast, ‘Vipers’ made a better power-play start. ’Vipers’ also lost both openers during their power-play (36/2 vs 30/2), *Ella McCaughan (13) and Georgia Adams (14) made double-figure scores.
*When POTM Lauren Winfield-Hill caught Georgia Elwiss (9), commentator Dagnall announced that ‘Vipers’ were in ‘deep trouble’ unless they could escalate their run-rate up to two-runs-per-ball, which they failed to do.
*Crucially for ‘Diamonds,’ 5 ‘Vipers’ wickets fell from Jenny Gunn’s bowling. Firstly, skipper Adams was caught by Linsey Smith; Secondly Alice Monaghan (5); Thirdly Lauren Bell (0); Fourthly Ella Chandler (4) who was ‘run out’ and finally Carla Rudd who was caught from the final match ball by Leah Dobson.
*Once Linsey Smith had caught-and-bowled Emily Windsor with just one over remaining, ‘Diamonds’ were said to be looking forward to playing ‘SE Stars’ in the up-coming final on the same day at 4pm.
Semi-Final Result: ‘Northern Diamonds -W’ 135/6 beat ‘Southern Vipers -W’ 117/10 by 18 runs
‘Diamonds Women’ 135/6 (20 overs, 6.75 runs-per-over) Lauren Winfield-Hill 65 runs (from 49), Hollie Armitage 25 (22) Jenny Gunn 22 (14); ‘Vipers’ bowling:, Lauren Bell 1/15, Georgia Adams 1/21, Georgia Elwiss 1/25, Charlotte Taylor 1/25, Tara Norris 1/29; Fow: 1-12, 2-16, 3-75, 4-82, 5-114, 6-120;
‘Vipers Women’ 117/10 (20 ov. all out; 5.85 r-p-o): Emily Windsor 32 (36) Georgia Adams 14(18); Ella McCaughan 13(14); ‘Diamonds’ bowling: Jenny Gunn 4/26, Linsey Smith 2/18, Rachel Slater 1/18, Katie Levick 1/25, Alex McDonald 1/26; Fow: 1-29, 2-33, 3-41, 4-59, 5-75, 6-99; 7-99; 8-110, 9-114, 10-117
Scorecard & commentary at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/charlotte-edwards-cup-2021-1252410/northern-diamonds-vs-southern-vipers-semi-final-1252435/full-scorecard *Next match: Charlotte Edwards Cup – Regional T20 final – ‘SE Stars Women’ vs ‘Northern Diamonds’
