Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy – SE Stars vs Central Sparks

Commentator pointed out today’s fifth round of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint 50 overs tournament was ‘long-overdue,’ with a long hiatus (for the Commonwealth Games and also women’s The Hundred) following July’s fourth round. Previously, Friday’s fifth round matches were postponed by the English Cricket Board. Before the match, In line with ECB policy, a minute’s silence was held by those assembled (pictured), followed by playing the national anthem; to mourn the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Play got underway following an impromptu Sparks huddle for a last-minute team talk. Match was broadcast with video highlights by Surrey Cricket’s ‘YouTube’ channel (please see below.) NV-play commentator added there was a ‘good crowd’ and ‘kind weather’ with mainly white cumulus clouds, some passing grey clouds and occasional patches of blue sky 18-20C.

*Skipper Alice Davidson-Richards, playing newbie Jemima Spence, but without Bryony Smith or Alice Capsey (both England duty); or Aylish Cranstone or Tash Farrant (both recovering.) *After ten overs, Stars were 45/0 *2 wickets fell three balls apart when Spence who played a ‘very good’ maiden innings – was ‘nicely taken’ by keeper Abi Freeborn. *Also Kira Chathli (said to average 27.25 runs) went ‘leg before’ to Elizabeth Russell (3/44); for a third-ball duck. *Opener Chloe Brewer played a ‘fine innings’ hitting 57 runs (from 76 balls) until stumped by keeper Abi Freeborn; when missing a ‘drive’ from Georgia Davis (2/61.) *At mid-way Stars were 113/3. *Taking over as anchor, Alice Davidson-Richard made her skipper’s ‘fifty,’  during a third-wicket partnership with Phoebe Franklin, that added 49 runs. *Skipper Davidson-Richards lost three partners along the way. *Firstly when Phoebe Franklin 37(42) ‘cut a top-edge’ to Milly Home who took her maiden catch low down at ’backward point,’ from Emily Arlott. *Secondly, Kirstie White 2 ‘was in two minds,’ before edging to keeper Abi Freeborn; from Hannah Baker (1/45.) *Thirdly, Rhianna Southby 9 lofted from herbat’s toe-end, caught by Elizabeth Russell, diving forward from at ‘mid-off;’ from Georgia Davis. *Commentator’s curse struck when Alice Davidson-Richards 50(64) was said to start ‘accelerating the score with five overs remaining;’ instead lofting to Elizabeth Russell, at ‘mid-off,’ from Grace Potts. *Two wickets fell during the last four overs. Alexa Stonehouse 6 launched a vertical skier, caught in-the-deep by Ami Campbell, from Grace Potts. *Eva Gray 5 swung high in the air, caught by Hannah Baker at backward square, from Elizabeth Russell. *Ryana Macdonald-Gay 37*(31) played confidently with Danielle Gregory 6(6) scampering ‘singles’ to nudge Stars score past the 250 mark.

Skipper Eve Jones, playing newbies Milly Home and Gabrielle Basketter; but without Amy Jones, Sarah Glenn or Issy Wong (all three on England duty). *Sparks made a cautious start. *Skipper Jones faced a maiden over from Alexa Stonehouse. *Paired with Phoebe Franklin, Sparks scored a disappointing four runs from their first three overs of power play. *Newbie Gabrielle Basketter 14(16) struck Franklin for three ‘fours,’ but was castled next ball by Phoebe Franklin. *Davina Perrin 2 was short-lived, also castled by Franklin (2/26.) After ten overs, Sparks were two wickets down 38/2 (vs 45/0.) *Four more wickets fell during the next five overs when Eva Gray (3/28) was paired with Ryana Macdonald-Gay (1/23.) *Firstly, Ami Campbell 6 was caught by Phoebe Franklin, from Gray. *Secondly, Eve Jones 14 snicked an edge to keeper Kira Chathli, also from Eva Gray. *Thirdly, Emily Arlott 5 was skittled by Macdonald-Gay. *Fourthly, newbie Milly Home 1 was skittled by Gray (bagging a 3-fer). *Alice Davidson-Richards brought herself on to bowl, her seam paired with spinner Danielle Gregory. *After 20 overs Sparks were 74/6, losing Abi Freeborn 19 ‘leg before’ to Alice Davidson-Richards by mid-way. *After 25 overs, Sparks were slipping behind 87/7 (vs 113/3.) *During the second-half, Georgia Davis 52*(103) staged spirited resistance, partnered by bowler-turned-batter Grace Potts 30(64). Together Davis and Potts bagged 66 runs for Sparks eighth wicket. *With ten overs remaining, Stars were confident of a win as Sparks required-run-rate escalated beyond 10 runs-per-over. *When Grace Potts 30 lobbed a dolly to Kirstie White, delighted skipper Davidson-Richards (2/44) threw both her hands into the air, sensing victory. On 150/8, Sparks needed to score an unlikely 105 runs from the last 55 balls.

Two Stars’ players (opener Chloe Brewer and skipper Alice Davidson-Richards) struck ‘fifties.’ Newbie Jemima Spence 26(43) played a ‘very good’ maiden innings. Pick of Sparks’ bowlers was Elizabeth Russell (3-fer.) Despite facing a lost cause Sparks’ tail-enders offered some spirited resistance. Lower down Sparks scorecard, Sparks’ top-scorer Georgia Davis scored ‘fifty.’ Pick of Stars’ bowlers was Eva Gray (3-fer.) All things being equal ‘ceteris paribus,’ third-placed Stars look set to play Diamonds in the play-offs (September 21). With a ten-point gap between third-and-fourth places, third-placed Stars (19 points) look set to qualify for the Eliminator. Whoever wins the play-off qualifies for the final against defending champions Vipers, who seek their third back-to-back trophy win.

Stars batting: 254/9 (50 overs, 5.08 runs-per-over) Chloe Brewer 57(76), Alice Davidson-Richards 50(64), Ryana Macdonald-Gay 37*(31), Phoebe Franklin 37(43), Jemima Spence 26(43); Sparks bowling: Elizabeth Russell 3/44, Grace Potts 2/46, Georgia Davis 2/61, Emily Arlott 1/36, Hannah Baker 1/45; Fow 1-72, 2-72, 3-107, 4-156, 5-159, 6-181, 7-215, 8-230, 9-241; Sparks batting: 195/9 (50 overs, 3.90 runs-per-over; target 255 from 50 overs); Georgia Davis 52*(103), Grace Potts 30(64), Elizabeth Russell 23(25), Abi Freeborn 19(27), Gabrielle Basketter 14(16), Eve Jones 14(37); Stars bowling: Eva Gray 3/28, Phoebe Franklin 2/26, Alice Davidson-Richards 2/44, Ryana Macdonald-Gay 1/23, Alexa Stonehouse 1/30; Fow 1-21, 2-28, 3-40, 4-48, 5-53, 6-54, 7-84, 8-150, 9-188.

Scorecard & Statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-2022-1297659/south-east-stars-vs-central-sparks-1297948/full-scorecard

Match free-to-air with highlights, courtesy of Surrey Cricket via NV-Play on YouTube (starting from 10m49; 07h02m39) https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#mfa6a3469-49f9-4f25-bcc5-2e8624ce0bde