Southern Vipers v Thunder at Ageas Bowl Southampton (Hants) on 11 September 2022 (10h30)
Before the match, an English Cricket Board approved statement was read out to mourn the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II; with a minute’s silence followed by the national anthem. Commentator pointed out that as Friday’s fifth round matches that were postponed awaiting alternative date(s) there was some understandable confusion why today’s sixth round matches were unchanged. Commentators added that either Diamonds or Vipers looked set to finish top-of-table. Second-placed team to play third-placed Stars, in the play-offs on September 21: the winner qualifying for the final. Match was broadcast for Southern Vipers on ‘YouTube’ by Kevan ‘Kev’ James (BBC), Rajesh Maru (Director of Cricket, Lancing College) and Georgie Heath (Women’s Cricket Chat.) Also via ESPN-cric-info social media. With full match and video highlights (please see below.) Weather was bright with sunny spells 18-22C.
Thunder’s Innings
Skipper Ellie Threlkeld. *Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone on England duty; but without Alex Hartley. *Viper’s US international Tara Norris 3/42 bagged a ‘3-fer,’ taking Thunder’s first three wickets during the power play. *Firstly, Seren Smale went for a first-ball duck, with bales sent flying by Tara Norris’ ‘full straight’ ball. *Secondly, Laura Marshall 8 went ‘leg before.’ *Thirdly, WIndies international Deandre Dottin 5 was caught by keeper Carla Rudd. *After 10 overs Thunder were 36/3. *Norris paired with Charlotte Taylor gave way to Paige Scholfield and Georgia Elwiss; followed by Charlie Dean and Georgia Adams. *At mid-way, Thunder were 117/3. *Vipers’ Georgia Elwiss left the field after 29 overs, returning seven overs later. *Century fourth wicket partnership (116-runs) between skipper Ellie Threlkeld 79(117) and Emma Lamb 63(82) ended during Thunder’s thirtieth over. *Drama struck when Lamb snicked a top-edge, caught vertically at ‘mid-on’ by Georgia Adams, from Paige Scholfield. *Next ball, Shachi Pai went ‘leg before’ for a first-ball duck (139/5.) *Playing Paige Scholfield’s hat-trick ball ’nicely,’ Liberty Heap 12(16) was stumped by keeper Carla Rudd, from straight-arm bowler Charlotte Taylor (1/47.) *Concerned that Thunder hadn’t ‘hit a boundary’ for several overs, commentator’s curse struck when skipper Threlkeld 79(117) – who’d hit nine ‘fours,’ – lobbed a catch to Ella McCaughan in the deep, from skipper Adams (179/7.) *Daisy Mullan 13(18), said to be Thunder’s ‘last’ batter, was run-out by Alice Monaghan’s throw from ‘behind backward-square’ – said to be ‘well-taken’ by keeper Rudd, from Tara Norris’ bowling. *Laura Jackson 4 lobbed a return-catch, effortlessly caught by Charlie Dean. *Finally, Phoebe Graham 3 was caught by Georgia Elwiss at ‘cover,’ from Georgia Adams (2/33.)
Vipers’ Innings
Skipper Georgia Adams. Danni Wyatt, Maia Bouchier and Freya Kemp on England duty. *Thunder’s bowlers, Laura Jackson paired with Phoebe Graham, took two Vipers wickets during the power play. Ella McCaughan 8 was caught at ‘cover’ by Shachi Pai, from Graham. Georgia Elwiss 6 snicked a ball ‘she should have left alone’ to keeper Threlkeld, also from Phoebe Graham. *After 10 overs Vipers were 29/2 (vs 36/3.) Jackson and Graham continued, Charlie Dean 11 clean-bowled by Laura Jackson, three balls after the power play ended. Georgia Adams 20(30) and Paige Scholfield 31(35) added 42 runs for Vipers’ fourth wicket, until skipper Adams (said to be ‘disappointed with her departure’) was caught by Laura Jackson, from Emma Lamb’s spin. *At mid-way, Vipers were 98/4 (vs 117/3.) Next over, Paige Scholfield went ‘leg before’ to Shachi Pai (1/21.) By the 40th over, Emily Windsor and Chloe Hill took Vipers to 173/5 without further loss – adding 89 runs for Vipers’ sixth wicket and placing Vipers in a winning position. *As Vipers’ top-scorer, Emily Windsor 59(75) launched a top-edge skier, caught at ‘mid-off’ by Phoebe Graham, from Deandre Dottin. Thereafter, Tara Norris 12*(13) joined Chloe Hill 43*(59.) Chloe Hill scored the winning ‘four’ to see Vipers bag ‘a great win’ by a comfortable margin, with three overs to spare. Separately, Vipers would have gained a point had they won inside 40 overs.
Summary
Having examined the pitch, commentators said there was ’no pace’ in the wicket. Each side bowled a similar number of ‘dot’ balls (166 vs 173/300.) Bulk of Thunder’s runs were scored by two players: skipper Ellie Threlkeld and Emma Lamb. Vipers put together two key partnerships, the second between Emily Windsor and Chloe Hill adding 89 runs for Vipers’ sixth wicket. From the scorecard, all but two Vipers players reached double figures; compared to Thunder – where only four players made double-figures. Summing-up, Kevan James said that Thunder have one win. Defending champions Vipers can expect to finish in first or second place, with 5 wins from 5 matches played to date.
Result: Southern Vipers Women 204/6 beat Thunder Women 203 by 4 wickets and 18 balls remaining
Thunder batting 203 (48.3/50 overs @4.18 runs-per-over) Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Threlkeld 79(117), Emma Lamb 63(82), Daisy Mullan 13(18), Liberty Heap 12(16); Vipers bowling: Tara Norris 3/42, Georgia Adams 2/33, Paige Scholfield 2/30, Charlie Dean 1/41, Charlotte Taylor 1/47; Fow 1-1, 2-17, 3-23, 4-139, 5-163, 6-169, 7-179, 8-194, 9-194, 10-203; Vipers batting 204/6 (47/50 overs @4.34 runs-per-over; target 204 from 50 overs) Emily Windsor 59(75), Chloe Hill 43*(59) Paige Scholfield 31(35), Georgia Adams 20(30), Tara Norris 12(13), Charlie Dean 11(30); Thunder bowling: Phoebe Graham 2/32, Deandre Dottin 1/36, Emma Lamb 1/47, Shachi Pai 1/21, Laura Jackson 1/27; Fow 1-16, 2-29, 3-29, 4-71, 5-100, 6-189.
Scorecard & statistics at URL https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-2022-1297659/southern-vipers-vs-thunder-1297947/full-scorecard
Highlights, courtesy of Southern Vipers via NV-Play on YouTube at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#m3e4b76f4-94b9-40eb-88c9-01ccc47dadc0
Match free-to-air (09m28 from 06h28m55) via NV Play on YouTube at URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmYu3W3Hk6U
