Southern Vipers vs Western Storm on May 26 (14h30) at Southampton (The Ageas Bowl)
‘Champions Day’ spectators watching double-header matches saw both defending champions of the 50-over game: Vipers (women) & Hants (men.) Vipers as hosts made a confident start when both Storm openers offered-up easy catches from shots that commentators said were ‘avoidable.’ Commentators became animated when two wickets fell three balls apart. Firstly, England wannabee Danielle Gibson snicked to Vipers visiting Australian wicket-keeper Nicole Faltum. When England skipper Heather Knight was stumped by Faltum, Storm were reduced to 4/3 during the 2nd over. Commentators’ attention switched to England’s Charlie Dean (pictured), who needed 2 more wickets to equal Tara Norris’ record 51 wickets taken for Vipers ‘all-time’ (in Kia Super League T-20, Charlotte Edwards T-20 and Rachael Heyhoe Flint.) Expectation was rewarded firstly when England veteran Fran Wilson was similarly stumped by Nicole Faltum from Charlie Dean’s 5th ball; Dean equalling Norris’ record. Mid-way through Storm’s innings, Charlie Dean took a second wicket to become Vipers all-time top wicket-taker (Dean said to have taken 52 wickets to date: 22@20overs & 30@50ov.) Commentators were Kevan ‘Kev’ James (BBC radio Solent) and Melissa Story (BBC Sport 5LSX, radio Solent & Glos. Women & Hursley Park.) Video highlights from ECB online (NV Play); with full match video, highlights and post-match interview with Charlie Dean – please see below. Weather at the Ageas Bowl was ‘glorious’ with blue sky
Storm innings *Skipper Sophie Luff with England’s Heather Knight, Naimh Holland (u-19s) & ex-England Fran Wilson.*Republic Of Ireland International Orla Prendergast retained ‘for a few more weeks.’ *International player Nicole Faltum (Australia) keeping wicket for Vipers. *Commentators said that Storm’s top-order batters’ dismissals were ‘avoidable,’ when both openers went from easy catches. *Opener Natasha Wraith drove a ‘half-volley’ too early, caught ‘in-the-covers’ for a 3rd-ball duck by Charlie Dean from Lauren Bell. *Danielle Gibson 2(2) played ‘wide’ of off-stump, risking an inside-edge that carried to guest keeper Nicole Faltum; also from Lauren Bell. *Three balls later, Nicole Faltum expertly stumped England skipper Heather Knight 1(3) who was left stranded ‘far out of her crease’ (from Anya Shrubsole’s bowling 1/12); reducing Storm to 4/3 during the 2nd over. *After 6 overs PowerPlay Storm were 33/3. *Storm’s skipper Sophie Luff with Fran Wilson staged a recovery, until Fran Wilson was stumped by Nicole Faltum from Charlie Dean’s 5th ball. *By mid-way, Storm were 45/4. *Next over, Orla Prendergast 3(12) found Charlie Dean unplayable and went ‘leg before’ – Charlie Dean (2/15) completing a rare ‘wicket maiden;’ also chalking-up her all-time record – as mentioned above. *Alex Griffiths 3(9) was short-lived, Maia Bouchier taking a diving catch ‘just outside the inner ring’ from Georgia Adams. *After 100 balls (with 20 balls remaining) Storm were 85/6. *Next over, Sophie Luff 44(46) was caught at ‘point’ by Linsey Smith, from Lauren Bell (3/19); said to be a ‘soft dismissal.’ *Lauren Filer 12*(18) played innings-anchor, partnered by Niamh Holland 9(5) who attempted a lavish stroke but was bowled ‘middle-and-off’ (stump) by Linsey Smith (1/22) *Lauren Filer 12*not out was also partnered by Sophia Smale 4*(5)
Vipers innings *Skipper Georgia Adams, with England’s Danni Wyatt, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier & Charlie Dean; plus player-coach Anya Shrubsole. *Natasha Wraith keeping wicket for Storm. *Orla Prendergast struck with 1st ball ‘Yorker’ when clean-bowling Danni Wyatt 16(7) *After bowling-change, Lauren Filer struck 4th ball, when Nicole Faltum 2(5) was skittled. *After 6 overs PowerPlay Vipers were 50/2 (vs 33/3) & after 10 overs (mid-way) 76/2 (vs 45/4.) *Launching Sophia Smale for ‘six’ Danielle Gibson took a fine catch inside the boundary to deprive Maia Bouchier of her match-winning ‘fifty.’ *Skipper Adams closed 26*not out. *Having earlier been dropped inside the boundary, Georgia Elwiss struck the winning ‘four’ with almost 6 overs to spare.
Match summary Storm lost key batters for fishing outside their off-stump with two avoidable stumpings. Skipper Luff top-scored, staging a recovery, but Storm lacked fire-power; setting a relatively easy target for Vipers to chase down. Viper’s top batter was Maia Bouchier, who was caught when attempting her ‘fifty.’ During the match, commentators announced that Charlie Dean had reached a bowling milestone, becoming Vipers’ ‘all-time’ wicket-taker with 52 wickets (to date) to her name (22@20ov. & 30@50ov.)
Match result: Southern Vipers Women 107/3 (target 106) beat Western Storm Women 105/8 by seven wickets (and with 35 balls remaining)
Storm’s batting: 105/8 (20/20 overs @ 5.25 runs-per-over); Sophie Luff 44(46), Fran Wilson 20(17), Lauren Filer 12*not out(18); Vipers’ bowling: Lauren Bell 3/19, Charlie Dean 2/15, Anya Shrubsole 1/12, Linsey Smith 1/22, Georgia Adams 1/22; Fow 1-0, 2-3, 3-4, 4-35, 5-45, 6-66, 7-87, 8-98.
Vipers’ batting: 107/3 (14.1/20 overs @ 7.55 r-p-o; target 106/20ov); Maia Bouchier 45(41), Georgia Adams 26*not out(25), Danni Wyatt 16(7); Storm’s bowling: Orla Prendergast 1/8, Lauren Filer 1/12, Sophia Smale 1/16; Fow 1-25, 2-48, 3-95.
Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via NV Play on YouTube at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#cdc38bf13-4f50-4dde-b543-741109226324_m54770383-4723-47cb-8031-6f25fa0b19d6_~scorecard
Full match video, starting from 35m48s/03h06m05s courtesy of Hants CCC (Southern Vipers) on YouTube at URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i75BbNYro4
Post-match Charlie Dean interview courtesy of BBC radio Solent (with Kevan ‘Kev’ James) 02m56s at URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i507PstY4V8
Vipers awarded 4 points. Latest England and Wales Cricket Board tables at URL: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/womens-t20/table
