Sunrisers Women’ vs ‘Central Sparks W’ at Merchant Taylor’s School, Northwood Middx on 10 September (Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy – round 5)
*Following a delayed start, the match the DLS method reduced each innings to 47 overs. Having suffered a string of defeats, ‘Sunrisers’ need wins to escape receiving the wooden spoon. Instead, ‘Sparks’’ higher strike rate scored them a convincing win, having lost fewer wickets.
*‘Sunrisers’ made a slow start, scoring just 3 ‘fours’ with 44 ‘dot’ balls from the first 10 overs at 3-to-4 runs-per-over; reaching 50 without loss during the 14th over (63/0 at the 100 ball/ 16.4 ov. benchmark).
*Thereafter, ’Sunrisers’ scoring rate improved to 4-to-5 r.p.o. Cordelia Griffith was top scorer (69) caught by Marie Kelly off Eve Jones. Griffiths and Alice Macleod added 77 for ‘Sunrisers’’ 2nd wicket.
*Fran Wilson (0) and Naomi Dattani (7) and Kelly Castle (8) were all bowled by Ria Fackrell for single figures
*Alice Macleod was caught behind, dismissed 4 short of ‘fifty’ from Eve Jones bowling. Joanne Gardner (19 from 18) showed spirited resistance, caught by Emily Arlott from Issy Wong’s final ball.
*’Sparks’ were faster, scoring 5 ‘fours’ with 37 ‘dot’ balls from the first 10 overs at 5-to-6 runs-per-over; reaching 50 without loss during the 9th over (ahead on 98/1 at the 100 ball/ 16.4 ov. benchmark).
*Marie Kelly was top scorer with 58. At mid-way (adjusted to 23.3 ov.) ‘Sparks’ were 132/2; compared to ‘Sunrisers’ who were 100/1.
*Drama struck during the 37th over needing 12 runs with 10 overs available and plenty of wickets-in-hand. Gwenan Davies (50) hit Gayatri Gole’s spin for ‘six, then ‘four,’ then ‘out,’ caught by Kelly Castle. Facing a new over from Kate Coppack, Thea Brookes (22*) struck the winning ‘four’ second ball, without Issy Wong having to face a ball.
Result: ‘Central Sparks Women’ 208/4 beat ‘Sunrisers W’ 204/7 by 6 wickets (28 balls remaining; DLS method.)
‘Sunrisers W’ 204/7 (42 ov., 4.85 runs-per-over) Cordelia Griffith 69 runs (from 95 balls), Alice Macleod 46(46), Grace Scrivens 26(54) Joanne Gardner 19(18); ‘Sparks’ bowling: Ria Fackrell 3/30, Eve Jones 2/31, Issy Wong 1/33, Anisha Patel 1/33; Fow 1-67, 2-144, 3-147, 4-163, 5-167, 6-178, 7-204
‘Central Sparks W’ 208/4 (37.2/42 ov.,5.57r-p-o) Marie Kelly 58 (63), Gwenan Davies 50 (59), Thea Brookes 22*(30), Davina Perrin 20(33); ‘Sunrisers’ bowling: Kelly Castle 1/22, Gayatri Gole 1/31, Grace Scrivens 1/35, Kate Coppack 1/40; Fow: 1-84, 2-115, 3-135, 4-204
Scorecard at: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-2021-1252263/sunrisers-vs-central-sparks-1252282/full-scorecard
Postscript: choice of venue raises awareness that both independent and state girl’s schools lack suitable pitches
