Western Storm vs Northern Diamonds at Taunton (Somerset) on 11 September 2022 (10h30)
Twice runners-up for the Women’s fifty-over tournament, Diamonds chalked-up a record competition score (334); certain to reach the finals for the third time. Storm needed to win both remaining matches to keep their chances alive. Diamonds’ skipper Hollie Armitage top-scored with an undefeated 131. Spinner Katie Levick (pictured) took an outstanding a ‘4-fer.’ Before the match, a minute’s silence was held, followed by the national anthem; and an ECB statement was read-out to mourn the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Commentators were broadcaster Ed ‘cricket’ Seabourne, Claire Jenkins ECB, Kath Wilkins and Hannah Thompson-Radford (Somerset women.) Match video with highlights edited by ‘NV-play’ (please see below.) Also via ESPN-cric-info social media. Weather at Taunton’s Cooper Associates County Ground was mild, described as a ‘glorious’ sunny September morning, 15-20C.
Diamonds Innings
Skipper Hollie Armitage played Rachel Slater for Beth Langston and debutante Lizzie Scott for Phoebe Turner. *Natalie Sciver and Katherine Brunt had been expected for England duty and Jenny Gunn was rested. *Match started exactly on time. *Promoted to opener, Linsey Smith was short-lived, top-edging from a ‘high’ full-toss that ‘dipped’ at the last moment; caught by Chloe Skelton arriving behind the keeper, from Claire Nicholas. *After ten overs power play, Diamonds were 56/1. *Second-wicket partnership added 125, scored at rate of one-run-per ball until Lauren Winfield Hill 74(77), was caught at ‘backward square’ – said to be a ‘great catch’ taken by Dani Gibson from Chloe Skelton. *At mid-way, Diamonds were 137/2. *Skipper Armitage’s ‘fifty’ (with the score on 145/2) steered Diamonds towards 150. *Next over (27.2 overs) Dutch International Sterre Kalis 8 ‘snicked’ behind to keeper Natasha Wraith from Dani Gibson’s pace. *Leah Dobson 12 (22) came down-the-wicket hitting aerial to Katie George from Chloe Skelton. *England batting hopeful Bess Heath 70(46) supported Hollie Armitage. Their fifth-wicket partnership that bagged 100 runs from 66 balls and accelerated Diamonds’ score past the 300-mark. *Armitage and Heath’s partnership (worth 132) ended when Heath’s ‘square-cut’ was easily caught (at square) by Claire Nicholas from Lauren Filer. *One more wicket was lost with 21 balls remaining, when NZ Leigh Kasperek was ‘run-out’ going for a second run, as Katie George threw to keeper Natasha Wraith; from Lauren Filer’s bowling. *Having played a skipper’s innings, Hollie Armitage 131*(131) finished ‘not out,’ with a mammoth score of 334.
Storms’ Innings
Skipper Sophie Luff with debutante Emma Corney for Niamh Holland, but without Heather Knight. Between innings, Storm players videos (by Sophie Luff, Fran Wilson, Natasha Wraith and Niamh Holland) were screened to encourage take-up of professional women’s cricket. *Two wickets fell during the power play. *Having faced three dot balls, Alex Griffith 3 was ’struggling with her line’ when caught behind by keeper Lauren Winfield-Hill, from Linsey Smith. *Sophie Luff went the same way, having faced four dot balls, caught ‘a long way back’ by Winfield-Hill, from Lizzie Scott’s third over. After ten overs power play, Storm were 35/2 (vs 56/1.) *Fran Wilson 5 was short-lived, caught by Hollie Armitage at ‘short-cover’ from Linsey Smith. *Natasha Wraith 19 (20) hit Linsey Smith for ’six’ but caught vertically by Sterre Kalis at ‘extra-cover,’ from Katie Levick. *Opener Emma Corney 29(49) gave Hollie Armitage her second catch, from Katie Levick at 80/5. *At mid-way, Storm were three wickets behind: 124/5 (vs 137/2.) *Commentators anticipated that England hopeful Danielle Gibson 76(59) would ‘have fun.’ *Storm passed the 150-mark at 29.1 overs, their sixth-wicket partnership worth 106. *Having scored one crowd-pleasing ‘six,’ top-scorer Danielle Gibson was caught ‘low down’ by Linsey Smith, edging to slips. *Light entertainment was provided by three batters arriving on the pitch as Sophia Smale was joined by Katie George batting with Sophie Luff running before the Umpire at ‘square.’ *Eleven balls later, Katie George 1 ballooned a catch to Sterre Kalis at ‘point’ from Hollie Armitage. *Five balls later, Lauren Filer 2 was clean bowled by Leigh Kasperek (201/8). *Storm’s final two wickets fell when Chloe Skelton 13(29) was stumped by Lauren Winfield-Hill; and Sophia Smale 59(71), was caught aerial by Sterre Kalis running across to the slips: the last ball completing Katie Levick’s 4-fer (4/41.)
Summary
High-scoring match (over 500 runs scored, with three century partnerships): in which Diamonds set a new record for the highest competition score.Diamond’s skipper Hollie Armitage finished 131*(131) ‘not out,’ took two wickets and two catches. Top bowler was Katie Levick (4/41.) For Storm, top-scorer Danielle Gibson made 76, and top bowler was Chloe Skelton (2/39.) Having gained a bonus point from this match, Diamonds are joint top-of-table with Vipers on equal points (22 points) albeit with lower net-run-rate. Diamonds are poised to complete their group stage: the outcome deciding whether they play third-placed Stars in the Play-Off, or finish top, earning a free-ticket straight to the final.
Result: Northern Diamonds Women 334/6; beat Western Storm Women 230; by 104 runs and 26 balls remaining
Diamonds batting: 334/6 (50 overs, 6.68 runs-per-over) Hollie Armitage 131*(131), Lauren Winfield-Hill 74(77), Bess Heath 70(46), Leah Dobson 12(22), Lizzie Scott 12*(8); Storm bowling: Chloe Skelton 2/39, Alex Griffiths 1/33, Lauren Filer 1/65, Clare Nicholas 1/66; Fow 1-3, 2-128, 3-150, 4-169, 5-301, 6-302; Storm batting: 230/10 (45.4/50 overs, 5.03 runs-per-over; target 335 from 50 overs); Danielle Gibson 76(59), Sophia Smale 59(71), Emma Corney 29(49), Natasha Wraith 19(20), Chloe Skelton 13(29); Diamonds bowling: Katie Levick 4/41, Linsey Smith 2/24, Hollie Armitage 2/27, Leigh Kasperek 1/22, Lizzie Scott 1/53; Fow 1-22, 2-30, 3-37, 4-69, 5-80, 6-186, 7-198, 8-201, 9-223, 10-230.
Scorecard & Statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-2022-1297659/western-storm-vs-northern-diamonds-1297950/full-scorecard
Selected highlights free-to-air, courtesy of Somerset Cricket via NV-Play on YouTube at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#m291cfbf4-f028-4928-a4a8-2550ae844864
Full match free-to-air courtesy of Somerset Cricket on YouTube (starting from 33m40/7h12m35) at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBgKPMEL87s
