Western Storm vs Central Sparks on June 4 (10h30): at Bristol (The Seat Unique Stadium)
Storm convincingly beating Sparks, but will miss-out on finals-day, unless all top-three qualifying teams lose their next match. Vice-captain Danielle Gibson (pictured) bowled a 4-fer, taking two crucial pairs of wickets (4/23). The England candidate also scored a quick-fire 18 runs (from 14 balls) with her bat. Previously, Danielle Gibson told reporters that Storm wanted to ‘finish well’ not only by ‘playing to strengths’; but also ‘to entertain.’ Sat ‘opposite the pavillion,’ commentators were Ed ‘cricket’ Seabourne (Sports journalist) and Clare B Jenkins (Women’s cricket commentator & ex-Somerset Women.) Video highlights from Gloucester CCC, via ECB online (NV Play) – please see below. Weather was described as a ‘beautiful day,’ with clear blue sky.
Sparks innings: *Skipper Eve Jones *[Natasha Wraith keeping wicket for Storm] *Sparks with England’s Davina Perrin (u-19s) *Ellie Anderson, Hannah Baker, Bethan Ellis & debutante Charis Paveley. *Emily Arlott & Grace Potts (both injured.) *International player Erin Burns; without Amy Jones or Issy Wong (International duty.) *2 wickets fell during Danielle Gibson’s 2nd over. Eve Jones 7(12) edged to Sophia Smale, who was ‘knocked backwards’ when catching short of ‘cover.’ *3 balls later, Ami Campbell’s 6(9) off-stump ‘keeled overs backwards’ as Danielle Gibson flung both her hands high. *After six overs PowerPlay, Sparks were 30/2 *Commentators curse struck twice. *Firstly, when Davina Perrin and Erin Burns were ‘building a partnership.’ *2 runs later, Davina Perrin 22(23) lobbed a dolly ‘straight to mid-off,’ taken by Chloe Skelton; from Alex Griffiths *Sparks were 57/3 by mid-way & after 16.4 overs, 105/3. *With 20 balls remaining, Sparks score ‘accelerated’ when Erin Burns partnered by Abbey Freeborn added 66 runs for Sparks’ 4th wicket. *Next ball, commentator’s curse struck again when Abbey Freeborn 21(22) edged wide of ‘off-stump’ and was caught low-down by Sophie Luff at ‘short-third,’ from Sophia Smale. *2 wickets fell during Danielle Gibson’s death over. *Top-scorer Erin Burns 66(45) lost her middle-stump to Danielle Gibson. *Finally, Katie George (ex-Storm) ‘steepled’ to Orla Prendergast 3(6) at ‘short-third.’ *Given the Bristol pitch ‘wasn’t high-scoring,’ commentators were convinced that Sparks total (135/6) was ‘very competitive.’ *Best Storm bowler was Danielle Gibson (4/23.)
Storm innings *Skipper Sophie Luff *[Abbey Freeborn keeping wicket for Sparks] *Storm with England’s Naimh Holland (u-19s); & ex-England’s Fran Wilson. *Debutante Rebecca Odgers. *International player Orla Prendergast (Republic of Ireland) *Without England skipper Heather Knight (International duty.) *Opener Danielle Gibson 18(14) ‘who was strong on her leg-side’ was caught by Erin Burns ‘in the covers’ (on opposite-side); from Katie George. *Natasha Wraith 6(11) was caught from a short-ball from Erin Burns, pulled straight to Ami Campbell at ‘mid-wicket.’ *After six overs PowerPlay, Storm were 51/2 (vs 30/2) & 77/2 (vs 57/3) by mid-way. *Orla Prendergast and Fran Wilson 3rd wicket partnership added 57 runs. *Said to be ‘in-form,’ Fran Wilson 34(28) was promptly stumped by keeper Abbey Freeborn from Hannah Baker. *Orla Prendergast and Sophie Luff unbeaten 4th wicket partnership added 45 runs that were needed to win, without any further loss. *Best Sparks bowler was Erin Burns (1/21.)
Match summary Sparks posted a defendable score of 135 that commentators said was ‘defendable,’ given the ground. Sparks’ ‘All-Rounder’ Erin Burns (Australia WBBL) made top-score (66) and Storm’s ‘All-Rounder’ Danielle Gibson took 4 wickets. When Storm replied, their early advantage (PowerPlay difference of 21 runs) equated to Danielle Gibson’s innings as ‘opener’ (18). Storm’s run-chase was enabled by Orla Prendergast (Republic of Ireland) making top-score, partnered not only by Fran Wilson (banking 57 runs); but also skipper Sophie Luff. For Storm’s match summary, please see URL: https://westernstorm.co.uk/news/orla-steers-storm-to-victory-over-sparks/
Match result: Western Storm Women 137/3 beat Central Sparks Women 135/6 by 7 wickets with 4 balls remaining
*Sparks batting: 135/6 (from 20/20 overs @6.7 runs-per-over); Erin Burns 66(45), Davina Perrin 22(23), Abbey Freeborn 21(22), Storm bowling: Danielle Gibson 4/23, Alex Griffiths 1/24, Sophia Smale 1/15; Fow 1-13, 2-16, 3-52, 4-118, 5-130, 6-131.
*Storm batting: 137/3 (from 19.2/20 overs @7.1 r-p-o); Orla Prendergast 46*not out(43), Fran Wilson 34(28), Danielle Gibson 18(14), Sophie Luff 20*not out (21); Sparks bowling: Hannah Baker 1/21, Erin Burns 1/26, Katie George 1/27; Fow 1-25, 2-35, 3-92.
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via NV Play on YouTube at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#cdc38bf13-4f50-4dde-b543-741109226324_mfa068bc4-b38c-42af-91ef-850e56d42ce1_~scorecard
*Full match video courtesy of Glos.Cricket for Western Storm (starting from 09m43s/3h00m20s) via YouTube at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X59HEp7h2QM
*Latest England and Wales Cricket Board tables at URL: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/womens-t20/table
