Successfully chasing-down a record 170 runs target, Vipers staged the highest run-chase in the cup’s short history, beating Stars by six wickets. Previously, 134 runs was banked for Stars’ first wicket, from 15 overs. Stars’ Bryony Smith 83 runs (from 47 balls) made top-score playing a skipper’s innings. Fellow opener, England’s Sophia Dunkley 53(45) also scored ‘fifty.’ After the match, Vipers’ top-scorer Danni Wyatt (pictured) told commentator Kevan ‘Kev’ James (BBC radio Solent) that she felt ‘re-energised’ having had two games rest, adding that Vipers had made the ‘perfect start’ (as defending Charlotte Edward Cup champions.) Video highlights from ECB online (NV Play) with match video from Hampshire Cricket – please see below. Weather was sunny.
Stars innings *Skipper Bryony Smith with England’s Sophia Dunkley, Freya Davies & Alice Davidson-Richards; without Alice Capsey & Aylish Cranstone. *Australian international Nicole Faltum keeping wicket for Vipers (in place of Rhianna Southby.) *After 6 overs Power-play, Stars were 55/0 & 86/0 by mid-way (10overs.) *Century (134-run) opening partnership between skipper Smith and Sophia Dunkley. *Bryony Smith was ‘run out’ by Alice Monaghan’s throw from ‘deep square,’ from Charlie Dean’s spin. *Next over, Sophia Dunkley who was twice dropped, lost her third life, when edging to guest keeper Nicole Faltum from Georgia Elwiss. *4 balls later, Paige Scholfield lobbed a ‘dolly’ to Alice Monaghan at ‘deep square,’ from Linsey Smith’s spin. *Lauren Bell’s (2’/25) death’ over took a ‘hat-trick’ as three wickets fell from 4 balls. *Alice Davidson-Richards and Tash Farrant were both clean-bowled; and Kira Chathli was ‘run out’ by Danni Wyatt, going for a second run that wasn’t there. *Georgia Adams and Anya Shrubsole limited themselves to bowling 2 overs each.
Vipers innings *Skipper Georgia Adams, with England’s Danni Wyatt, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier & Charlie Dean; plus player-coach Anya Shrubsole; without Freya Kemp & Nancy Harman. *International player Nicole Faltum (Aus) keeping wicket. *Vipers’ top scorer Danni Wyatt made 40 at two-runs-per-ball, with Maia Bouchier 30: who was ‘run out’ at the non-striker’s end, from Bryony Smith. *After 6 overs Power-play, Vipers were a nose ahead: 79/1 (vs 55/0.) Nicole Faltum 11(9) was short-lived, caught in-the-covers by Sophia Dunkley from stand-out bowler with Freya Davies (1/18); with best bowling economy. *Top-scorer Danni Wyatt edged to ‘backward point’ from Phoebe Franklin. *Vipers were 101/3 (vs 86/0) by mid-way (10overs.) *Skipper Adams 29(23) was ‘run out’ from a direct hit by Ryana Macdonald-Gay from Phoebe Franklin. *After 100 balls Vipers were level-pegging at 151/4 (vs 146/3.) *Charlie Dean 16(9) hit Phoebe Franklin for 2 ‘twos’ and 2 ‘fours’ to win, with 7 balls remaining.
Match summary Stars opening partnership between skipper Smith (83) and England’s Sophia Dunkley (53) lasted 15 overs, banking 134 runs. No ‘fifties’ but all Vipers batters reached double-figures. After top scorer Danni Wyatt departed, Georgia Elwiss 28*not out played a key role, building batting partnerships firstly (48 runs added) with Georgia Adams, then (29) with Charlie Dean 20*not out. Scores were comparable after 100 balls with 20 balls remaining. Charlie Dean hit the 12 winning runs from four 4 balls with 7 balls to spare.
Match result: Southern Vipers Women 171/4 (target 170) beat South East Stars Women 169/6 by six wickets, and with 7 balls remaining.
Stars’ batting: 169/6 (20/20 overs @ 8.45 runs-per-over) Bryony Smith 83(47), Sophia Dunkley 53(45), Phoebe Franklin 21*(12); Vipers’ bowling: Lauren Bell 2/25, Georgia Elwiss 1/28, Linsey Smith 1/28. Fow 1-134, 2-140, 3-142, 4-166, 5-166, 6-167.
Vipers’ batting: 171/4 (18.5/20 overs @9.07; target 170/20ov.) Danni Wyatt 40(20), Maia Bouchier 30(18), Georgia Adams 29(24), Georgia Elwiss 28*(33), Charlie Dean 20*(9), Nicole Faltum 11(9); Stars’ bowling: Freya Davies 1/18, Phoebe Franklin 1/41. Fow 1-56, 2-87, 3-93, 4-141.
Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via NV Play on YouTube at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#cdc38bf13-4f50-4dde-b543-741109226324_meecca9f9-5a5e-435f-b009-0b2fbcd1a5c5_~scorecard
Vipers innings video, starting from 5m42s/01h58m11s (without commentary) courtesy of Hants CCC on YouTube at URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBMZvV2z3U
Post-match Danni Wyatt interview on BBC raidio Solent Sport (Kevan ‘Kev’ James) at URL https://twitter.com/solentsport/status/1661020391064879109
Vipers awarded 4 points. Latest England and Wales Cricket Board tables at URL: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/womens-t20/table
