Central Sparks v Sunrisers at Edgbaston, Birmingham on May 21 (12h30 start)
After scoring an exceptional eighty runs including six ‘fours’ and six ’sixes, England’s Amy Jones later told reporters: ‘It’s great.. to win!’
Referring to their 83 run third-wicket partnership, Jones added that fellow batter Abi Freeborn was a positive influence as they set-up Sparks victory against Sunrisers in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
By comparison, scoring fifty-one, Naomi Dattani was top batter for Sunrisers. Although Dattani hit one more ‘four’ than Amy Jones, Jones hit many more ‘sixes.’
*After hitting Jo Gardner for ‘four,’ opener Issy Wong was clean-bowled by Naomi Dattani’s third ball, bringing Amy Jones to the crease with her namesake, Eve Jones (as skipper).
*Naomi Dattani’s seam bowling restricted the Joneses, who added only 24 runs between Sparks power play (32/1) and mid-way at 56/1 (10 overs.)
*Sparks skipper Eve Jones (27 from 31) was clean-bowled next ball, by her opposite number Sunrisers skipper Kelly Castle.
*Amy Jones (80 runs from 49 balls) struck six exceptional ’sixes’ on the leg-side from three different bowlers. Jones added 83 runs with Abi Freeborn (27 from 22) for Sparks third wicket.
*By the 100 ball benchmark (16.4 overs) Sparks were 130/2.
*Three more wickets fell during the last three overs, during which Sunrisers dropped catches.
*No further ‘fours’ were scored once Amy Jones was stumped by keeper Scarlett Hughes, off Jo Gardner. *Ami Campbell (7) was caught and bowled by Kelly Castle’s final ball.
*Sunrisers’ opener, teenager Grace Scrivens struck both Emily Arlott and Grace Potts for ’sixes.’ Sunrisers lost both openers before and after the power play (43/1 v 32/1.)
*Naomi Dattani’s ‘fifty’ (51 from 32) was the highlight of Sunrisers’ reply. By mid-way, Sunrisers were 61/3 (vs 56/1.) During the second half, Sunrisers were peppered by 14 ‘dot’ balls and couldn’t match Sparks’ propensity for finding the boundary.
*By the 100 ball benchmark (16.4 overs) Sunrisers were 97/7 (vs) 130/2.
*Three Sunrisers were clean-bowled and two were dismissed by keeper Amy Jones.
*Jones took a catch, also stumping Naomi Dattani during the penultimate over.
In summary, Sparks got off to an uncharacteristically slow start, but kept their powder dry until the second half of their innings. Sunrisers lost five wickets during their second-half, diminishing their potential to close what turned out to be a 24-run gap.
Result: (Group ‘B’) Central Sparks 153/5 (20 overs) beat Sunrisers 129/8 (20 overs, target 154) by 24 runs
Sparks 153/5 (7.65 runs-per-over): Amy Jones; 80 runs (from 49 balls) Abigail Freeborn 27(22) Eve Jones 27(31); Sunrisers bowling Kelly Castle 2/19, Joanne Gardner 1/22, Naomi Dattani 1/31, Abtaha Maqsood 1/39; Fow 1-6, 2-56, 3-139, 4-145, 5-153;
Sunrisers 129/8 (6.45 runs-per-over): Naomi Dattani 51(32), Grace Scrivens 26(13), Cordelia Griffiths 15(24), Kelly Castle 12(15); Sparks bowling: Sarah Glenn 2/14, Hannah Baker 2/20, Emily Arlott 2/27, Grace Potts 2/29; Fow 1-43, 2-43, 3-60, 4-83, 5-89, 6-94, 7-97, 8-121.
Scorecard & statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/charlotte-edwards-cup-2022-1298049/central-sparks-vs-sunrisers-group-b-1298062/live-cricket-score
Series of mini 10 second video highlights (picture-in-picture mode) are free-to-view from Sunrisers TV (selecting hightlights from the relevant match) at URL https://www.sunriserscricket.com/match-centre
Footnote for Apple users wanting to view all videos collectively, slowly scroll downwards from the red-framed match centre screen.
