Central Sparks vs Northern Diamonds – Match 5 RHF – at Worcester (New Road) on 29 April 2023
Sparks Eve Jones (67*not out) played a skipper’s innings, scoring six ‘fours,’ staging three decisive partnerships that won the match. Earlier, Sparks stand-out bowler was Georgia Davis (pictured) whose ‘off-spin’ took a 4-fer (4/19.) Sparks commentators described Diamonds star batter Lauren Winfield-Hill as once again ‘banging on England selectors’ doors.’ Then humorously, by ‘setting a new record’ for slowest batter’s departure when ‘trudging-off’ just short of ‘fifty.’ Batting first, Diamonds top-order struggled when facing Issy Wong and Katie George’s seam. Thereafter, losing three wickets for six runs, batters became vulnerable Georgia Davis and Hannah Baker’s spin. Commentary by Georgie Heath ‘HerGameToo,’ Polly Starkie ‘Noughtie Child Podcasts’ with guest (Tamanna Aktar.) Video highlights from Central Sparks Cricket TV via ECB online (NV Play) – please see below. Worcestershire weather was ‘glorious sunshine,’ (‘15C.’)
Diamonds’ innings *Skipper Hollie Armitage, with unchanged team including two internationals: Chloe Tryon (Rep. South Africa) and Sterre Kalis (NL.) *After ten overs Power-play, Diamonds were 49/0 *Two top-order batters were undone by Issy Wong’s pace. *Firstly, commentator’s curse struck when Lauren Winfield-Hill 42 runs (from 40 balls) who was just short of ‘fifty;’ ‘in terrific form’ (7 x ‘fours,’ & 1 x ‘six’); ’ was bowled by Issy Wong’s next ball. *Secondly, during the 19th over, Phoebe Turner was ‘done for (Wong’s) pace’ as her bales were sent flying. *In between, Sterre Kalis 16(33) was caught leg-side by keeper Abbey Freeborn, off a thin ‘inside-edge,’ from Katie George. *England hopeful Bess Heath 13(16) partnered skipper Armitage adding 37 runs, until Heath went ‘leg before.’ Heath’s dismissal handed Georgia Davis the first of her four wickets. *At mid-way (25 overs) Diamonds were 123/4. *There followed a mid-order collapse, as 3 Diamonds wickets tumbled for just 6 runs. *Firstly, Hollie Armitage 37(56) was caught at ‘point’ by Davina Perrin, from Hannah Baker’s leg-spin. *Secondly, Abi Glen was bowled for a 3rd ball duck by Georgia Davis’ off-spin. *Thirdly, Lizzie Scott (2) was bowled by Hannah Baker. *Chloe Tryon and Emma Marlow bagged 33 runs with spirited resistance, until Chloe Tryon was caught by Issy Wong from Katie George. *Finally, Georgia Davis took two tail-enders’ wickets with consecutive balls. *Firstly Katie Levick (1) caught by Ami Campbell. *Secondly, Jess Woolston snicked an edge to keeper Abbey Freeborn. *Sparks stand-out bowler Georgia Davis (4/19) closed with best economy (2.53 r-p-o) *Separately, Issy Wong (2/44) delivered the most unplayable dot’ balls. *Front line bowlers Emily Arlott and Grace Potts remained wicketless, as held back in reserve.
Sparks’ innings *Skipper Eve Jones with unchanged team. *Noted that Katie George (who’d previously bowled for England, during 2018) had decided to bowl. *Disaster struck when Chloe Brewer (4) edged to Chloe Tryon (gaffed by commentators by naming the keeper.) *After ten overs Power-play, Sparks were 41/1 (vs 49/0) *By mid-way (25 overs) Sparks were 104/2 (vs 123/4) *Eve Jones 67*(111) played a skipper’s innings, making top score from three key partnerships. *Firstly, adding 98 runs with Abbey Freeborn 37(50) who was ‘run out.’ *Another 45 runs was added with Davina Perrin (of recent England u-19’s Women’s World Cup final fame) until stumped. *Finally, skipper Jones carried her bat, to chase-down Diamonds’ below-par score with relative ease, partnered by Ami Campbell.
Match summary: Previously, Diamonds skipper Hollie Armitage announced to social media that her team was ‘keen to start their RHF Trophy defence.’ In their opening match Diamonds beat ‘Storm’ by a comfortable margin and three batters scored ‘fifties.’ In this match, Diamonds batters were bowled-out, short of a defendable score, losing six wickets to a combination of off-spin (Georgia Davis) and leg-spin (Hannah Baker.) By comparison, Sparks skipper Eve Jones (67*not out) carried her bat as Diamonds’ bowlers evidently had a ‘bad day at the office.’
Match result: Central Sparks Women 162/3 beat Northern Diamonds Women 161/10 by 7 wickets and with 70 balls remaining.
Diamonds batting: 161/10 (4.41 runs-per-over) from 36.3/50 overs
Lauren Winfield-Hill 42(40), Hollie Armitage 37(56), Chloe Tryon 26(23), Sterre Kalis 16(33), Bess Heath 13(16);
Sparks bowling: Georgia Davis 4/19, Katie George 2/25, Hannah Baker 2/31, Issy Wong 2/44 ;
Fow: 1-50, 2-77, 3-87, 4-121, 5-123, 6-124, 7-127, 8-160, 9-161, 10-161.
Sparks batting: 162/3 (4.22 r-p-o) from 38.2/50 overs
Eve Jones 67*(111), Abbey Freeborn 37(50), Davina Perrin 30(51);
Diamonds bowling: Jess Woolston 1/21 , Hollie Armitage 1/26;
Fow: 1-6, 2-104, 3-149.
Scorecard and video highlights by NV Play, courtesy of ECB https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#md49746e8-a397-4149-a587-836db414a793_~scorecard
Match free-to-air (starting from 2m30s/05h23m34s) courtesy of Central Sparks on YouTube at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlTA2E27HTE&t=7s
Sparks awarded 5 points. Latest English Cricket Board tables at URL: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/rachael-heyhoe-flint/tables
