SE Stars v Southern Vipers at Beckenham (Kent) on 21 September 2022 (10h30)
Staged at very short notice, the Play-off was billed by commentators as a ‘semi-final’ to decide who meets Northern Diamonds, who’ve already qualified for the final. Beforehand, 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.
Absence of front-line England players gave an opportunity for promising players to step-up. With Stars floundering on 23/3 after a poor power play, debutante Mary Taylor aka ‘Mary T’ (pictured) took two quick wickets for Vipers, stifling any hope of a Stars recovery. Commentator Kev James said that Mary T’s debut had turned from ‘good’ to ‘great.’ When batting, Vipers opening pair (Ella McCaughan and Maia Bouchier) left the rest of the team with ’not much to do.’ Facing her first delivery, Emily Windsor hit the winning ‘four’ to clinch the match – as mentioned below- sending Vipers into a third consecutive ‘North-South’ derby final. Commentators were Kevan ‘Kev’ James (BBC Radio Solent) with Phil Green (for Stars) who proffered gaffs during their entertaining commentary.
After the match, Kev James interviewed top-scorer Maia Bouchier (please see below.) Broadcast by NV-Play, ESPN-cric-info and podcasts via social media. Weather at Beckenham was described as ‘overcast,’ improving into a fine September’s afternoon.
Stars Innings
Skipper Bryony Smith. *With Freya Davies specially released (England duties,) but without Alice Davidson-Richards and Alice Capsey. Tash Farrant and Aylish Cranstone absent, recovering. *Said to be a ‘bold decision’ by skipper Smith to bat first, commentators gaffs marked loss of three Stars’ wickets during their power play. *Firstly, Kira Chathli was confusingly stumped (not caught) by stand-in keeper Chloe Hill, from Charlotte Taylor; for a seventh-ball duck. *Six balls later, Bryony Smith 7 who ‘needed to settle in,’ was next ball, ‘out early,’ snicking an edge to Chloe Hill from Tara Norris (USA International.) *Thirdly, Chloe Brewer 3(12), who ‘played a long game,’ was caught from an ‘incredible catch:’ by Maia Bouchier diving and rolling to her right, also from Norris. *After ten overs, Stars were 23/3. *Skipper Adams paired with debutante ‘Mary T’ replaced Tara Norris and Charlotte Taylor. *Just as Stars were ‘building a recovery,’ Phoebe Franklin 15(25) played-on, as ‘Mary T’ skittled Franklin’s leg-stump. *With ‘added pressure’ for Stars, Rhianna Southby 1 went ‘leg-before,’ receiving her fourth-ball from Mary T: whose debut ‘suddenly became great,’ when bagging her second-wicket. *Stars looked ‘in deep trouble,’ on 38/5 after 15 overs. *Bowling-change paired experienced Paige Scholfield with newbie Finty Trussler. *Ryana Macdonald-Gay 8(14) was short-lived, going ‘leg before’ to Paige Scholfield’s fifth ball. *‘Deeper trouble’ when Freya Davies 4(3) was clean-bowled by Finty Trussler, leaving tail-enders with ‘too much to do.’ *By mid-way (25 overs) Stars were 76/7. *Tara Norris returned just before the 30th over (87/7.)
*Confusion struck broadcasteres as Alexa Stonehouse 11(35) was seen departing for a ‘comprehensive dismissal,’ whereas Eva Gray was said to have played-on to Tara Norris (3/29.) *Skipper Adams returned to bowl. *More confusion struck when Jemima Spence drove down the wicket, the ball deflected from Adams’ hand. *That broke the wicket at the bowler’s end – said to be the ‘worst dismissal’ for any batter: as Eva Gray (1) was ‘run out.’ *Two more bowling-changes anticipated an early lunch. Paige Scholfield was paired with ‘Mary T,’ and Finty Trussler with Charlotte Taylor. *Dannielle Gregory 16(32) and Jemima Spence 45*(102) gave ‘dogged (last wicket) resistance’ until Gregory’s bales were dislodged by Finty Trussler (2/12.) *Enduring a nightmare of two-and-a-half-hours batting, Jemima Spence was left stranded on 45 ‘not out.’
Vipers Innings
Skipper Georgia Adams. *Chloe Hill keeper for Carla Rudd. Including Maia Bouchier (released from England duties.) but excluding Charlie Dean, Danni Wyatt, Lauren Bell and Freya Kemp (retained by England.) *Debutante Mary Taylor for Alice Monaghan (commentator’s gaff, unaware that Alice Monaghan had played for Vipers earlier in the season.) *After ten overs power play, Vipers were 31/0 (vs 23/3) and Ryana Macdonald-Gay replacing Stars opening bowling pair Freya Davies and Alexa Stonehouse. *Skipper Smith paired with Danielle Gregory introduced spin. Eva Gray replaced Bryony Smith. *Deadlock was broken when Maia Bouchier played-on from Davies, just enough to dislodge a bale to break Vipers’ first-wicket partnership (98 runs.) *Three balls later after 25 overs, Vipers were said to be ‘in total control’ reaching mid-way: 98/1 (vs 76/7.) *Bryony Smith returned, to disappoint Ella McCaughan 47(94) just short of ‘fifty,’ caught by Freya Davies fielding from a position that commentators were convinced was ‘the wrong place.’ Stars final bowling change, said to delay ‘the inevitable’ (result) was Phoebe Franklin paired with Danielle Gregory. *Franklin’s fourth ‘fantastic’ ball castled skipper Georgia Adams 1(8) and Paige Scholfield was skittled by Danielle Gregory, two balls after launching Gregory for a crowd-pleasing ’six.’ *Facing one single delivery, Emily Windsor stuck the match-winning ‘four.’
Summary
Low-scoring thriller for Vipers but a forgettable one-sided match for Stars, losing their first five wickets for 37 runs. Vipers debutante Mary Taylor (‘Mary T’) having taken two prize wickets. With second-timer Finty Trussler also taking two wickets, Vipers were ‘very much the favourites’ by half-way. Vipers replied decisively, their first-wicket partnership between Maia Bouchier and Ella McCaughan ’removed any chance’ for Stars to stage a recovery. Post-match interview (please see below.) Maia Bouchier told Kev James that Vipers had bowled ‘really well,’ especially ‘MaryT on her debut.’ Bouchier added that she was ‘really excited’ about ‘putting on a show’ when competing for Vipers’ ‘hat-trick’ of Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophies. Southern Vipers play Northen Diamonds in their third consecutive final, at Lord’s on 25 September.
Result: Vipers Women Women 143/4(target 140) beat SE Stars Women 139/10 by 6 wickets (with 96 balls remaining)
Stars batting: 139/10 (@3.28 runs-per-over from 42.2 overs/50 overs); Jemima Spence 45*(102), Danielle Gregory 16(34), Phoebe Franklin 15(25), Alexa Stonehouse 11(35); Vipers bowling: Tara Norris 3/25, Finty Trussler 2/12, Mary (‘Mary T’) Taylor 2/22, Paige Scholfield 1/20, Charlotte Taylor 1/25; Fow 1-2 ,2-9, 3-12, 4-33, 5-37, 6-56, 7-67, 8-87, 9-100, 10-139. Vipers batting 143/4 (@4.20 runs-per-over from 34/50 overs – target 140 from 50 overs); Maia Bouchier 51(68), Ella McCaughan 47(94), Georgia Elwiss 11*(18), Paige Scholfield 11(16); Stars bowling: Phoebe Franklin 1/14, Freya Davies 1/18, Bryony Smith 1/22, Danielle Gregory 1/34; Fow 1-98, 2-110, 3-120, 4-139;
Scorecard & statistics at URL https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-2022-1297659/south-east-stars-vs-southern-vipers-playoff-1297955/full-scorecard & https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/34701
Match highlights, courtesy of SE Stars Cricket TV via NV-Play on YouTube at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#mceeb2f41-3892-438b-a2d9-4ae55f1bce7a
Match free-to-air (from 04h54m49s) via NV-Play on YouTube at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yh1l-P3pA_4
Maia Bouchier post-match interview with Kevan ‘Kev’ James on YouTube at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCbXviLda_Y
