Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy on July 3 – (10h30)
With Lauren Winfield-Hill keeping wicket, England wannabe Bess Heath (pictured) not only scored ‘Fifty,’ but did it with panache, scoring ‘six’ hit out of the ground: that turned out to be the match-winning ball. Earlier, both teams top-scoring batters were said to have ‘cancelled each other out: Emma Lamb (82) for Thunder vs Lauren Winfield-Hill (93) for Diamonds. Similarly honours on each side were even for bowling unplayable ‘dot’ balls. Linsey Smith (2/34) bowled 38 dots for (Diamonds); and Alex Hartley (1/36) bowled 40 ‘dots’ for Thunder.
Match started on time in cloudy overcast conditions in what proved to be a good spinner’s wicket for bowling ‘dot’ balls. Thunder elected to bat. Broadcast via social media (via NV play livestream), with commentators Mike Perkins; Allison Bryne for Lancs TV with guest Aaliyah Williams (West Indies.) Also via ESPN-cric-info. Before the match, commentators humorously expressed concern about having their balcony situated ‘rather close to the wicket’ overlooking extra cover ‘at risk of having windows broken.’
Thunder’s Innings *West Indies All-rounder Deandre Dottin remarkable international career was highlighted, ‘scoring 3727 runs in one-day internationals with 89 ‘sixes.’ ’ *Thunder were without Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone. For Diamonds, Lauren Winfield-Hill kept wicket instead of Bess Heath who was fielding at ‘cover.’ During the commentary, Mike Perkins mentioned that Bess Heath had the potential to play for England, as a batter rather than a wicket-keeper who can bat:- facing a similar situation to Tammy Beaumont when she was starting out.
*Opening the bowling for Diamonds, Katherine Brunt bowling with 2 slips; was paired with Rachel Stater. Left-armed Slater coming over the wicket quickly trapped Georgie Boyce 6 runs (from 8 balls) ‘leg before.’ *Perkins said that looked ‘very adjacent indeed’ and looked forward to ‘bringing Deandre Dottin to the crease.’ Dottin was entertaining but ‘short-lived’ (for 30 minutes) hitting Katherine Brunt’s final power play over for 14 runs. *After ten overs power play, Thunder were 62/1. *Next over, Deandre Dottin 26(27), was caught inside the boundary by NZ’s Leigh Kasperek from Katie Levick’s first over of spin.
*After 100 balls (16.4 overs) Thunder were 96/2; and 111/3 after 20 overs, *Emma Lamb made the lion’s share of the third-wicket partnership until skipper Ellie Threlkeld (13) found Rachel Slater who caught her at ‘cover’ from Katie Levick’s bowling. *Threlkeld had reportedly scored a ‘ton’ for Lancs second eleven, only a few days ago. Drinks were taken after 24.4 overs, at 129/3. *Bowling the thirtieth over around the wicket, Linsey Smith skittled Thunder’s top scorer Emma Lamb 82(80), who missed her ‘heave to the leg-side.’ NZ’s Leigh Kasperek clean bowled Danielle Collins (18.) Kasperek also caught
Daisy Mullan (18) who made a ‘useful cameo’ until ‘swept high’ from Katie Levick’s spin. Commentators gaff mistakenly framed Bess Heath ‘throwing herself forward’ without spotting the different hair colour of each player’s hair. Thunder’s two hundred runs 200/6 were chalked-up in 43.2overs. *Laura Jackson went down the wicket to Jenny Gunn’s slower ball and was stumped by Lauren Winfield-Hill. *Shachi Pai made her top score 41*(56), not out, following a lean spell for Thunder during the 20 over game. *Thunder closed on 235/7.
Diamonds’ Innings Viewers had seen Katherine Brunt bowling and Lauren Winfield-Hill keeping wicket (see above). Commentators added that Diamonds were without Leah Dobson. Nat Sciver, was called-up for England duty. *Diamonds quickly lost Linsey Smith 9(20), caught behind by Ellie Threlkeld from Laura Jackson. *Hannah Jones dropped catch from Alex Hartley’s spin, that brought up Diamonds’ 50.
*After ten overs power play Diamonds were 56/1 (vs 62/1.) *Lauren Winfield-Hill chalked-up her ‘fifty’ runs from 44 balls for Diamonds’ second wicket partnership during the fifteenth over at 83/1. *After 100 balls (16.4 overs) Diamonds were on equal terms 99/1 (vs 96/2) but their 2nd wicket partnership between Lauren Winfield-Hill and skipper Hollie Armitage added 120 runs.
*When skipper Hollie Armitage was caught at ‘backward point’ by Hannah Jones from Laura Jackson, Thunders’ commentators said it had been a ‘tough day’ for Thunder. Emma Lamb’s innings became ‘cancelled-out’ by Lauren Winfield-Hill (93.) LWH eventually went Aerial and was caught by Hannah Jones, making-up for her earlier dropped catch. *At that point LWH had scored the lion’s share of Diamonds’ runs. *Commentators conceded it wasn’t going to change the course of the game as Sterre Kalis and Bess Heath saw Diamonds home. *At 38 overs Diamonds (214/4) needed 22 to win.
*With scores level, Perkins described a final ’six’ by Bess Heath (51* from 50): that sent the ball over netting ‘into someone’s garden’ to claim her match-winning ‘fifty.’ The match ended with a lost ball.
Summary – Thunder commentators congratulated England hopeful Emma Lamb on an ‘excellent’ performance, adding that there was a ‘spell in the middle’ where Thunder seemed to be on equal terms. Once Lauren Winfield-Hill had wiped out Lamb’s big score, advantage tipped Diamonds’ way. Diamonds were ‘all but done’ as Bess Heath and Sterre Kalis took their decisive fifth-wicket partnership passed the 200-run mark. Diamonds win (4 points) places them fourth in the table after the first round of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy.
Result: Northern Diamonds Women 241/4 (target 236, 42.2/50 overs) beat Thunder Women 235/7 (50 overs) by 6 wickets with balls 46 remaining
Thunder: 235/7 (50 overs, 4.7 runs-per-over) Emma Lamb 82(80), Shachi Pai 41*(56), Deandre Dottin 26(27), Daisy Mullan 18(33), Danielle Collins 18(47) Ellie Threlkeld 13(26); Diamonds bowling: Linsey Smith 2/34, Katie Levick 2/45, Rachel Slater 1/24, Jenny Gunn 1/33, Leigh Kasperek 1/43. Fow 1-16, 2-71, 3- 110, 4-154, 5-165, 6-196, 7-221. Diamonds 241/4 (42.2/50 overs, 5.69 runs-per-over): Lauren Winfield-Hill 93(72), Bess Heath 51*(50), Hollie Armitage 47(54), Sterre Kalis 35*(51); Thunder bowling: Laura Jackson 2/67, Alex Hartley 1/36, Hannah Jones 1/40. Fow 1-29, 2-145, 3-165, 4-166 .
Scorecard and statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-2022-1297659/thunder-vs-northern-diamonds-1297930/full-scorecard
Match highlights on Northern Diamonds TV via youtube with recorded live stream (6h03m31s from 4:45) at URL:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRIgW-nScHk
