North West Thunder vs Northern Diamonds on 7 June 2023 (11h30): at Blackpool Stanley Park
Diamonds’ Red Rose rivals Thunder (gaffed by Lancs TV interviewer as Lancs ‘Lightning’) are on a winning streak. 3rd-placed Diamonds confidence in their ‘unchanged team’s’ qualification for ‘Finals Day’ seemed reasonable, with 3 England players missing from their opponents team. By contrast, interviewed pre-match, West Indies Superstar Deandre Dottin had seen tremendous improvement ‘over the last 9 months’ within Thunder’s team. ‘Diamonds’ suffered a nightmare innings, once play started, failing to chalk-up anywhere near to a defendable score. Mounting Thunder’s successful run-chase, opener Naomi Dattani made 20 and Fi Morris closed 42 ’not out.’ Ellie Threlkeld scored the winning ’single.’ Separately, Fi Morris took 2/16 with the ball. After the match, skipper Ellie Threlkeld told reporters she was ‘really proud’ how Thunder had ‘turned the competition around,’ (to qualify 3rd, for their first ever Finals Day.) Lead commentator was Scott Read (Sports journalist, BBC radio Lancashire); with Paige Caunce (HerGameToo.) Video highlights via ECB online (via NV Play) edited from Lancs TV. Blackpool weather started ‘overcast and chilly’ with ‘white clouds clearing,’ giving way to ‘warm’ sunshine.
Diamonds innings: *Skipper Hollie Armitage *[Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder] *With Katherine Fraser (Scotland) *Internationals Sterre Kalis (NL) & Chloe Tryon (Republic of South Africa.) *Commentators mentioned ‘impressive bowling’ by Tara Norris paired with Mahika Gaur. *Only 5 Diamonds batters made double-figures – their total falling short of a defendable score.*Losing 4 wickets during their PowerPlay, Leah Dobson ballooned-a-catch to Olivia Bell at ‘mid-on,’ from Tara Norris; *Skipper Armitage edged to Deandre Dottin (gaffed as Naomi Dattani) at ‘backward-point’ for a 3rd ball ‘duck;’ from Tara Norris. *Next over Lauren-Winfield-Hill launched a ‘gorgeous shot,’ caught at ‘deep-midwicket’ by Naomi Dattani, from Mahika Gaur. *4th wicket fell when Mahika Gaur ‘made-an-almighty-mess’ of Bess Heath’s 1(4) stumps. *After 6 overs PowerPlay, Diamonds were 29/4. *2 more wickets fell before mid-way: Chloe Tryon 22(16) fell backwards and was ‘struck’ by Fi Morris, with all 3 stumps knocked back. *Beth Langston was clean-bowled by Olivia Bell for a 2nd-ball ‘duck.’ *After 10 overs (mid-way) Diamonds were 54/6. *During the 14th over, Sterre Kalis swept high, caught by Naomi Dattani at ‘deep-midwicket’ from Fi Morris (2/16.) On 74/7, commentators said that Diamonds were yet to get ‘anything going.’ *4 overs later, Katherine Fraser also swept high, caught ‘in-the-deep’ by Naomi Dattani, fromn Olivia Bell. *Katie Levick steepled to Libby Heap running short of ‘mid-wicket,’ – also from Olivia Bell (3/9.) *Finally Grace Hall was ‘run out’ by Libby Heap’s pinpoint throw to Naomi Dattani (bowler) skittling bails at the non-striker’s end.
Thunder’s innings: *Skipper Ellie Threlkeld *[Bess Heath keeping wicket for Diamonds] *Debutante Sophie Morris. *Thunder players needed to step-up without three headline players: England’s Kate Cross, Emma Lamb, or Sophie Ecclestone. *Internationals Tara Norris (USA) & Deandre Dottin ex-WIndies. *Libby Heap 12(14) was caught by Sterre Kalis’ rolling catch from Katherine Fraser’s spin. *After 6 overs PowerPlay, Thunder were 40/1 (vs 29/4.) Second wicket partnership between Fi Morris and Naomi Dattani added match-winning 64 runs. *During the 10th over, Naomi Dattani ballooned a thick-edge to Katie Levick at ‘square’ from Beth Langston. *After 10 overs, Thunder were 77/2 (vs 54/6.) *Another wicket fell when Deandre Dottin was stumped by keeper Bess Heath, attempting to ’square-cut’ Katie Levick. *Skipper Threlkeld and Fi Morris 42 took Thunder across-the-line, for a ‘shock’ win.
Match Summary: Failing to post a defendable score, Diamonds suffered a nightmare innings, losing half its batters to single-figures. Thunder seized an early advantage scoring 14 runs from their 1st over during their PowerPlay (40/1 vs 29/4); staying well ahead by mid-way (77/2 vs 54/6.) Opener Naomi Dattani made 20; and Fi Morris closed 42 ’not out.’ Skipper Ellie Threlkeld scored the winning ’single.’ After two losses, Thunder have won their latest 4-out-of-5 matches: their ‘shock win’ qualifying them 3rd place, for their first ever Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day. Post-match interview with Thunder’s Ellie Threlkeld & Fi Morris at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaQbWv_SJGM
Match Result: North West Thunder Women 97/3 beat Northern Diamonds Women 96/10 by 7 wickets (with 30 balls remaining)
*Diamonds batting: 96/10 (18.4/20 overs 5.1@runs-per-over): Sterre Kalis 24(28), Chloe Tryon 22(16), Katherine Fraser 17(27), Lauren-Winfield-Hill 12(9), Lizzie Scott 11(14); Thunder bowling: Olivia Bell 3/9, Tara Norris 2/19, Fi Morris 2/16, Mahika Gaur 2/27; Fow: 1-11, 2-11, 3-15, 4-19, 5-46, 6-49, 7-74, 7-93, 9-93, 10-96.
*Thunder batting: 97/3 (15/20 overs @6.4 r-p-o): Fi Morris 42*not out (34), Naomi Dattani 20(29), Liberty ‘Libby’ Heap 12(14); Diamonds bowling: Katherine Fraser 1/14, Katie Levick 1/19, Beth Langston 1/22; Fow 1-30, 2-64, 3-90.
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via NV Play at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#m68a7bd8b-f07c-4f47-bfe3-c10cab27d5db & BBC Sport @URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKE1000523
*Full match video courtesy of Lancs TV for NW Thunder (starting from 16m40s/2h45m10s) via YouTube at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V0Qyf2mJaLo
*Thunder qualify for Finals Day. Final England and Wales Cricket Board tables at URL: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/womens-t20/table
