Western Storm v Central Sparks – Sophia Gardens Cardiff on May 14; Charlotte Edwards Cup – Group B
Playing her first match for ‘Sparks,’ (having transferred from ‘Lightning’) Abi Freeborn (52 from 48) together with England’s Amy Jones (52 from 44) added a 91 run partnership for Sparks’ third wicket. As seen on Glamorgan TV (please see below) – their opponents struggled both with bat and ball.
During the match, commentators humourously expected to see Issy Wong bowling with ’steam coming out of both ears’ after Wong fell backwards whilst batting, and was caught off her glove. Later, Wong’s fast-bowling indeed made a vital breakthrough when she took two quick wickets.
*Until then, commentators said that Storm skipper Sophie Luff and Georgia Hennessy ‘looked comfortable’ scoring 70 runs between them. Thereafter, Storm’s required-run-rate quickly escalated as more wickets fell. Sparks became confident of their first win on a fine day.
*The match began with an ‘all Welsh’ attack. During what turned out to be a ten-ball over, Dani Gibson (2/37) sent two pairs of balls ‘wide,’ both over and around the wicket to Sparks skipper Eve Jones (a left-hander).
*Eve Jones made an ‘early departure,’ lobbing an ‘easy’ catch to Alex Griffiths at ‘cover’ – said to be ‘a big blow’ for the England hopeful – leaving Sparks struggling on 8/1.
*Replacing Gibson, Lauren Filer (seam) deceived Issy Wong with a dead-straight first ball. Losing her balance, Wong was caught behind by keeper Natasha Wraith.
*After the power play (6 overs) Sparks were 35/2. Despite eight gifted wides, commentators thought Storm had ‘made a great start by taking two quick wickets.’
*Storm lost their early advantage during the next ten overs, as England’s Amy Jones (52 from 44) and Abi Freeborn (52 from 48) dug-in, adding 91 runs for Spark’s third wicket.
*Breakthrough came during the 15th over, when Amy Jones lobbed an ‘easy catch’ to Lauren Filer at ‘mid-off,’ from Georgia Hennessy.
*Sparks debutante Abi Freeborn formed a second decisive partnership (41) with Ami Campbell (30* from 17); but was dropped inside the boundary by Fi Morris – a lucky reprieve on 44. *Abi Freeborn claimed her ‘fifty,’ diving across the line (for ‘three’) at 141/3.
*Dani Gibson was brought back into the attack. Once again Gibson found success switching around the wicket, as Sophie Luff caught Abi Freeborn’s vertical shot in the deep.
*Gwenan Davies drove hard at Georgia Hennessy, who painfully continued with her death over. Closing on 156/4, Sparks had a lucky escape final ball ’run out.’
*Set 157 to win, Storm faced two appeals during their fifth over, losing opener Fi Morris (18 from 17) ’leg before’ to England spinner Sarah Glenn.
*At the power play, Storm were 38/1 (Sparks 35/2.)
*Somerset pairing Georgia Hennessy with Sophie Luff looked comfortable at 89/1 after 12 overs, needing 68 runs from 48 balls.
*A breakthrough occurred when Georgia Hennessy (27 from 33) was easily caught by Eve Jones, off Hannah Baker’s second over of spin. At 91/2, Storm needed 66 to win.
*Seamer Issy Wong returned. Skipper Sophie Luff (43 from 29) was dismissed by part-time keeper Gwenan Davies, taking a ‘spectacular catch’ followed by a backward somersault.
*Two balls later, Dani Gibson a ballooned a catch to Gwenan Davies who’d moved to the ‘gulley’; at which point Storm needed 62 from 40 balls.
*Fran Wilson and Katie George failed to convert Sarah Glenn’s spin into big shots – offering Amy Jones some missed stumping opportunities during the 18th over.
*Thereafter, Sparks’ field settings afforded batters ‘ones’ and ‘twos’ as Storm’s required-run-rate escalated beyond two-runs-per-ball.
Result: Central Sparks 156/4 (20 overs) awarded 4 points, beat Western Storm 136/6 (20 overs, target 157) by 20 runs
Central Sparks 156/4 (20 overs, 7.8 runs-per-over): Amy Jones (52 runs from 44 balls), Abi Freeborn (52 from 48), Ami Campbell (30* from 17); Western Storm bowling: Danielle ‘Dani’ Gibson 2/37, Lauren Filer 1/30, Georgia Hennessy 1/30; Fow 1-8, 2-13, 3-104, 4-145
Western Storm 136/6 (20 overs, 6.8 r-p-o): Sophie Luff (43 from 29), Georgia Hennessy (27 from 33), Fran Wilson (22* from 21), Fi Morris (18 from 17); Central Sparks bowling: Issy Wong 2/28, Hannah Baker 1/13, Grace Potts 1/23, Sarah Glenn 1/25; Fow 1-34, 2-91, 3-93, 4-95, 5-109, 6-126
Courtesy of Glamorgan TV, the entire match can be viewed via youtube at URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQNsEF_WIyc
