Sparks’ Innings *Skipper Eve Jones *[Nicole Faltum keeping wicket for Vipers] *International player Erin Burns, Sparks ‘bolstered’ by Amy Jones’ return from England’s boot-camp, but without Issy Wong (International duty); Emily Arlott or Grace Potts (injured.) *Seam bowler Ellie Anderson (making her 2nd appearance.) *During the PowerPlay Sparks slipped from 41 without loss, to 46/3. *Firstly Eve Jones was bowled by Charlie Dean. *2 balls later, Davina Perrin was also bowled, going for a 2nd-ball ‘duck.’ *Thirdly, Erin Burns 4(5) was caught inside the boundary by Danni Wyatt, from Linsey Smith (1/22). *By mid-way, Sparks recovered to 72/3. *Next over, Amy Jones 24(34) was caught by Charlie Dean from Georgia Elwiss. *Katie George 17(14) was short-lived, clean-bowled by Charlie Dean. *After 16.4 overs (100 balls) Sparks were 119/6. *2 wickets fell during the skipper’s penultimate over. *Ami Campbell 6(6) was ‘run out’ by keeper Nicole Faltum & Georgia Davis for a 2nd-ball ‘duck.’ *Finally, Hannah Baker was caught by Georgia Adams from Lauren Bell’s (1/37) final ‘death’ over. Best bowler for Vipers was Charlie Dean (3/27.)
Vipers’ Innings *Skipper Georgia Adams *[Abbey Freeborn keeping wicket for Sparks] International player Nicole Faltum. *Vipers by strengthened by Danni Wyatt & Charlie Dean returning from England’s ‘red-ball’ boot-camp.*During their PowerPlay [44/1 (vs. 46/3)] Vipers lost Ella McCaughan 26 runs(from 23 balls): who was bowled by Ellie Anderson (1st wicket.) *Following an expensive 1st over, Erin Burns returned to take 2 wickets, both carbon-copy dismissals was caught inside the boundary by Katie George. *Firstly, fellow Australian ‘Women’s Big Bash League’ player Nicole Faltum 1(6); followed 3 balls later by skipper Adams 1(2) when playing an identical shot. *By mid-way, Vipers were 70/3 (vs 72/3.) *Georgia Elwiss 5(8) was short-lived, caught by Davina Perrin from Bethan Ellis. *Next over, Charlie Dean 2(5) was was caught inside the boundary by Katie George; a third wicket for Erin Burns (3/26.) *Tight overs from Hannah Baker and Ellie Anderson made for a tight finish. *After 16.4 overs (100 balls) Vipers were 113/5 (vs 119/6.) *Tension mounted after top-scorer Danni Wyatt 68(49) was caught by Erin Burns from Bethan Ellis. *Thereafter, 2 more wickets fell during the final over as Vipers fell 7 runs short of their target. *Firstly, Nancy Harman 4(6) was stumped by Amy Jones from Bethan Ellis. *Finally, Emily Windsor 21(18) made a carbon-copy dismissal. *Taking 2 wickets from the final over, Bethan Ellis (4/29) was Sparks’ best bowler.
Match summary England players dominated proceedings, with Amy Jones making top-score for Sparks; Danni Wyatt making top-score-of-the-day for Vipers; and Charlie Dean taking 3/27. Sparks wicket-takers were Erin Burns 3/26 (from the Australian Women’s Big Bash League WBBL) and Bethan Ellis (4/29) who also made 16*not out with her bat. When Vipers replied, Vipers lost 2 more wickets during their PowerPlay, but were level-pegging by mid-way. Vipers suffered mid-order batting collapse, losing two pairs of wickets to carbon-copy dismissals. Firstly, Nicole Faltum -WBBL & Georgia Adams were caught at ‘mid-wicket’ by Katie George. Secondly Nancy Harman and Emily Windsor were both stumped by Amy Jones during the final over. Commentators added that it would be easier for Vipers to qualify for the finals (i.e.: with more points with which to defend their title): if both sides won their remaining matches.
Match result: Central Sparks Women 142/9 beat Southern Vipers Women 135/8 (target 143 from 20 overs) by 7 runs
*Sparks’ batting 142/9 (from 20/20 overs @ 7.1 runs-per-over) Amy Jones 45(34), Abbey Freeborn 23(24), Eve Jones 19(14), Katie George 17(14), Bethan Ellis 16*not out(15); Vipers’ bowling: Charlie Dean 3/27, Georgia Elwiss 2/36, Georgia Adams 1/17, Linsey Smith 1/22, Lauren Bell 1/37; Fow: 1-41, 2-41, 3-46, 4-80, 5-110, 6-116, 7-131, 8-131, 9-134.
*Vipers’ batting 135/8 (from 20/20 overs @ 6.7 runs-per-over): Danni Wyatt 68(49), Ella McCaughan 26(23), Emily Windsor 21(28); Sparks’ bowling: Bethan Ellis 4/29, Erin Burns 3/26, Ellie Anderson 1/14; Fow: 1-42, 2-50, 3-52, 4-74, 5-85, 6-117, 7-131, 8-134;
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via NV Play on YouTube at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#cdc38bf13-4f50-4dde-b543-741109226324_m4df475ce-aaa4-492a-be27-2066e33d4cec_~scorecard & https://edgbaston.com/fixtures/womens/central-sparks-vs-northern-diamonds-3-june/
BBC radio WM commentary at URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/cricket/65747058
*Latest England and Wales Cricket Board tables at URL: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/womens-t20/table *Match was followed by men’s T20 ‘double-header.’
