Southern Vipers W vs Sunrisers W at Southampton (The Ageas Bowl) on 22 April 2023
Vipers were expecting to play a one-sided match. Sunrisers put in an ‘impressive performance,’ with Scotland’s Abtaha Maqsood spin taking her first competition 5-fer (5/30.) Commentators complimented Sunrisers who had ‘most aspects right.’ They won by a ‘massive 126-run margin’; whereas Vipers’ fielding was said to be ‘disappointing.’ Commentators Melissa Story (BBC Radio Solent) and Phil Green (Hursley Park); with guest Emily Windsor (Vipers) added that Sunrisers started the match ‘not having won a game in three years’ but an ‘ex-Scotland’ coach had evidently made a difference. Also broadcast via Radio Solent and ECB online (NV Play.) Weather at The Ageas Bowl was described as ‘nippy,’ but ‘no rain (reported) on the (weather) Radar.’
Sunrisers innings Skipper Kelly Castle. Between seasons, Grace Scrivens skippered England’s U-19’s. *Signed from ‘Stars,’All-rounder Eva Gray was keen to make an impression. *After 10 overs power-play, Sunrisers made 42/1, reaching 130/2 by 30 overs. *Right-and-left handers Grace Scrivens [67 runs (from 80 balls)] and Jodie Grewcock’s 2nd wicket partnership put on 93-runs. *Similarly, between left-and-right handers, Jodie Grewcock 69 (110) and Mady Villiers 70(53), 3rd wicket partnership added 117-runs. *Mis-fields allowed Mady Villiers 70(53), to make top-score, having been dropped twice on single-figures. *Mady Villiers lofted a ‘four’ over the bowler’s head to chalk-up Sunrisers’ 200 from 40 overs. *Another 32 runs came from the last three overs with a short-lived cameo from Eva Gray 25(14.) *Eva Gray scored the only ‘six’ of the innings from a ‘no ball.’ *Facing one ball, skipper Kelly Castle (2) found she had little to do.
Vipers innings Skipper Georgia Adams. Rhianna Southby was signed from ‘Stars,’ keeping wicket in place of Carla Rudd. *Rudd was said to have been a ‘vital part’ of Vipers’ success. *Between seasons, spinner Lynsey Smith was signed from Diamonds. *After 10 overs power-play Vipers made 53/1 (vs 42/1) and seemed comfortably ahead. *England’s Maia Bouchier 57(48) was top scorer, hitting ‘fifty’ in 39 balls including ten ‘fours.’ *Disaster struck when skipper Adams was caught at ‘mid-on’ by Mady Villiers for an 8th ball duck (111/5); handing Abtaha Maqsood her second wicket. *Bowling the 25th over, Mady Villiers was on a hat-trick, clean-bowling England’s Charlie Dean and also Rhianna Southby for a second ball duck. *Sunrisers seemed assured of victory by a wide margin. *Scotland’s Abtaha Maqsood took Vipers last three wickets to complete her first competition 5-fer (5/30.)
Match summary Sunrisers left-and-right hand batting combinations contributed more than 200 runs toward their match-winning score on a near-perfect pitch. Mady Villiers made top-score (70.) Vipers reply started confidently after ten overs power-play (53/1 vs 42/1.) As the match unfolded, commentators spoke in disbelief as Vipers lost eight wickets to Sunrisers’ spin. Commentators complemented Sunrisers who had ‘most aspects right.’ They won by a ‘massive 126-run margin’; whereas Vipers’ fielding was said to be ‘disappointing when put under pressure’ on a perfect pitch.
Result: Sunrisers Women 288/7 beat Southern Vipers Women 166 by 126 runs with 88 balls remaining
Sunrisers batting: 288/7 (50 overs @5.76 runs-per-over)
Mady Villiers 70(53), Jodie Grewcock 69(110), Grace Scrivens 67(80), Eva Gray 25(14), Saskia Horley 13(13), Joanne Gardner 10 (12);
Vipers bowling: Lynsey Smith 3/50, Charlie Dean 1/54, Mary Taylor 1/77;
Fow 1-10, 2-103, 3-220, 4-226, 5-240, 6-254, 7-286.
Vipers batting: 166/10 (35.2/50 overs, target 289 from 50 overs)
Maia Bouchier 57(48), Danni Wyatt 24(25), Alice Monaghan 24(35), Lynsey Smith 14(21), Georgia Elwiss 12(22)
Sunrisers bowling: Abtaha Maqsood 5/30, Mady Villiers 3/52, Kate Coppack 1/24, Eva Gray 1/28;
Fow 1-14, 2-72, 3-106, 4-107, 5-111, 6-119, 7-119, 8-145, 9-159, 10-162.
Scorecard with Video-highlights, courtesy of ECB via NV-Play on YouTube at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#mf93a0ff5-c1b1-42cf-935b-305ba5ac1765_~scorecard
Match free-to-air (starting from 12m15s/05h42m36s) courtesy of Hampshire Cricket on YouTube at URL:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1BqI5WbB_w
Latest English Cricket Board tables at URL: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/rachael-heyhoe-flint/tables
