Witnessing South African ‘All-Rounder’ Nadine deKlerk’s departure for a ‘golden duck,’ Australian commentator and cricket journalist Melinda ‘Mel’ Farrell expressed doubt whether Blaze had done everything ‘to lose.’ Earlier, Thunder had lost England’s Emma Lamb and WIndies legend Deandre Dottin for single figures and posted a below-par score. Commentators added when the visitors lost 2 wickets in two balls toward the end of the match, that Blaze had ‘no pressure’ until the final over: when England’s Sarah Glenn struck the winning ‘four.’ Video highlights from ECB online (NV Play) edited from Lancs TV coverage:- the match played as a ‘double-header’ (please see below.) Overcast afternoon, with sunny spells.
Thunder innings *Skipper Ellie Threlkeld England players Emma Lamb, Sophie Ecclestone & Kate Cross. *International players Tara Norris (US) and Deandre Dottin (exWIndies) *1st ’Big blow’ when opener Emma Lamb 2(4) chopped aerial to Marie Kelly’ at mid-off,’ from skipper Gordon’s 4th ball. *Deandre Dottin 9(13) swept across Grace Ballinger’s in-swinger, that sent her bales flying. *After six overs PowerPlay, Thunder were 28/2. *Attempting a scoop, Ellie Threlkeld 22(25) went plumb ‘leg before,’ to Nadine deKlerk’s 4th ball. *At mid-way(10 overs) Thunder were 28/3. *Disaster struck when two wickets fell 4 balls apart. *Fi Morris 18(21) was skittled, finding Sarah Glenn’s final ball unplayable. *Libby Heap 26(32) top-edged a vertical ‘steepler,’ caught deep-of-slips by Georgie Boyce, from Nat Sciver-Brunt. *After 100 balls, Thunder were 89/5. *Next over, Sophie Ecclestone 3(4) top-edged a vertical steepler,’ caught by Marie Kelly from Grace Ballinger. *Kate Cross 22*’not out’ (15) partnered by Naomi Dattani 7*’not out’(8) saw Thunder home.
The Blaze innings *Skipper Kirstie Gordon. England players Tammy Beaumont, Natalie ‘Nat’ Sciver-Brunt & Sarah Glenn. Internationals, Nadine deKlerk (Republic of South Africa) with Scotland’s Kathryn & Sarah Bryce. *Marie Kelly 16(15) skittled her own stumps, playing-on to Sophie Ecclestone. *After six overs PowerPlay, Blaze were 56/1 (vs 28/2.) *Next over, top-scorer Tammy Beaumont 38(21) went ‘leg before’ to Fi Morris without adding to Blaze’s score. *Two wickets fell before and after half-way (88/3 vs 48/3.) *During the 9th over, Georgie Boyce 15(12) was caught by Deandre Dottin from Kate Cross (1/24.) *Six balls later, Nat Sciver-Brunt 21(14) was caught by substitute fielder (Seren Smale), from Tara Norris (1/31.) *2 wickets in two balls, placing England’s Sophie Ecclestone on a ‘hat-trick.’ *Firstly, Kathryn Bryce 3(10) was ‘run out’ from Mahika Gaur’s throw to keeper Threlkeld. *Secondly, Nadine deKlerk went for a golden duck, from Sophie Ecclestone (2/18.) *Sarah Bryce’s wicket was the last to fall. *Sarah Glenn 17*(14) ’not out,’ hit the winning ‘four.’
Match summary As mentioned above, there was never any pressure on Blaze since Thunder’s score was below-par. Blaze & England’s Tammy Beaumont was top-scorer; with Nat Sciver-Brunt’s all-round performance with bat-and-ball; and teenager Grace Ballinger taking 2 wickets for the winning team. Blaze remain undefeated, whereas Thunder are yet to open their account. Blaze match report at URL: https://www.trentbridge.co.uk/news/2023/may/thunder-cant-cloud-the-blazes-winning-streak-at-old-trafford.html
Match result: The Blaze Women 120/7 beat North West Thunder Women 117/6, by 3 wickets with 28 balls remaining
Thunder batting: 117/6 from 20/20 overs (5.75 runs-per-over) Liberty ‘Libby’ Heap 26(32), Kate Cross 22*(15)’not out,’ Ellie Threlkeld 22(25), Fi Morris 18(21); Blaze bowling: Grace Ballinger 2/23, Sarah Glenn 1/16, Natalie ‘Nat’ Sciver-Brunt 1/23, Kirstie Gordon 1/25, Nadine deKlerk 1/25. Fow 1-2, 2-14, 3-46, 4-82, 5-84, 6-89.
Blaze batting: 120/7 from 15.2/20 overs (7.82 runs-per-over) Tammy Beaumont 38(21), Natalie ‘Nat’ Sciver-Brunt 21(14), Marie Kelly 16(15), Sarah Glenn 17*(14) ’not out.’ Thunder bowling: Sophie Ecclestone 2/18, Fi Morris 2/19, Kate Cross 1/24, Tara Norris 1/31. Fow 1-56, 2-56, 3-88, 4-94, 5-98, 6-98, 7-113.
Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via NV Play on YouTube at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#cdc38bf13-4f50-4dde-b543-741109226324_me6d8a132-af57-42b7-8f3f-2b7d5bd4cf91_~scorecard
The Blaze awarded 4 points. Latest England and Wales Cricket Board tables at URL: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/womens-t20/table
Footnote: Lancashire had entitled this day Empower Play, beneficial to female participation initiatives in conjunction with the Lancashire Cricket Foundation.
