Western Storm vs The Blaze on 7 June 2023 (11h30) at Cardiff (Sophia Gardens)
Blaze made best use of match-practice beating Storm by a convincingly wide margin, preparing to play either Thunder or Vipers in the Competition’s Final. Storm fell short of posting a match-winning score, missing key players. Blaze made a slower start but overtook Storm mid-way. Blaze’s Kathryn Bryce 54*not out(37) made top-score as Blaze cruised to their 7th back-to-back win. Topping the group stage, undefeated Blaze go straight through to the final: playing the winning semi-finalists: either Thunder or Vipers (defending champions.) Commentators were Nick Webb (BBC Wales) & Ffion Wynne (Wales Women.) Video highlights from ECB online (NV Play) with full match video from Glamorgan CCC for Western Storm – please see below.
Storm innings *Skipper Sophie Luff *[Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for Blaze] *Returner Mollie Robbins; International player Orla Prendergast (Republic of Ireland) *Without England’s Heather Knight, Danielle Gibson & Lauren Filer *Natasha Wraith 4(2) played-on from an inside-edge, after hitting Grace Ballinger for ’four.’ *Missing a sweep, Orla Prendergast 19(14) went ‘leg-before’ to Grace Ballinger (2/24) *After six overs PowerPlay, Storm were 44/2 *Niamh Holland 21 (23) was ‘run out’ by Nadine deKlerk’s direct shy to the striker’s-end, from Kathryn Bryce. *Fran Wilson 4(6) ballooned a catch to Kathryn Bryce at ’extra cover,’ from Sophie Munro (1/21) *Storm reached 60/4 by mid-way. *Sophie Luff 19(18), went ‘leg-before’ to Kathryn Bryce, missing a ’square-cut.’ *After 100 balls (16.4 overs) Storm were 108/5 *Emma Corney 23(32) played across-the-line, bowled by Kathryn Bryce (2/17) *Sophia Smale 10(6) missed a ‘paddle,’ bowled by Nadine deKlerk 1/26 *Alex Griffiths 19*not out (19); & Mollie Robbins 1*not out. *Best Blaze bowler was Kathryn Bryce (2/17)
Blaze innings *Skipper Marie Kelly *[Natasha Wraith keeping wicket for Storm] *Without England’s Kirstie Gordon, Tammy Beaumont, Nat Sciver-Brunt or Sarah Glenn. *Bethany ‘Beth’ Harmer 12(17) edged a steepler to Sophie Luff (collecting short of ‘long-leg’); bowled by Clare Nicholas *Sarah Bryce 15(14) was caught by Chloe Skelton (collecting short of ‘long-leg’) bowled by Sophia Smale (1/30) *After six overs PowerPlay, Blaze were 32/2 (vs 44/2) edging slightly ahead by mid-way without further loss: 69/2 (vs 60/4) *Georgie Boyce 26(27) was caught deep of ‘mid-off’ by Sophia Smale, bowled by Clare Nicholas( 2/24) *After 100 balls (16.4 overs) Blaze were 119/3 (vs 108/5.) *Marie Kelly was 20*not out(18) *Top-scorer Kathryn Bryce 54*not out(37) hit 1 ’six’& 6 ‘fours’ *Winning ball went for 4 ‘byes.’ *Best Storm bowler was spinner Claire Nicholas (2/24)
Match summary Storm made 44/2 from their PowerPlay, then lost 2 quick wickets. Skipper Luff and Emma Corney banked 42, but Storm fell short of posting a match-winning score, without key players called-up for England’s ‘Ashes’ training. Blaze made a slower start but gathered momentum overtaking Storm by mid-way, with 2 wickets’ lead. Blaze’s Kathryn Bryce 54*not out(37) made top score as Blaze cruised to their 7th back-to-back win. Storm finish their group stage sixth, with 3 wins and 4 losses. As mentioned above, undefeated Blaze go straight through to play the winning semi-finalists: Thunder or Vipers (defending champions) in the Competition’s Final (at Worcester.)
Match Result: The Blaze Women 137/3 beat Western Storm Women 134/7 by 7 wickets with 8 balls remaining
*Storm batting: 134/7 (20/20 overs 6.7 runs-per-over); Emma Corney 23(32) Niamh Holland 21 (23) Alex Griffiths 19*not out (19), Sophie Luff 19(18), Orla Prendergast 19 (14), Sophia Smale 10(6); Blaze bowling: Kathryn Bryce 2/17, Grace Ballinger 2/24, Sophie Munro 1/21, Nadine deKlerk 1/26; Fow 1-4, 2-35, 3-48, 4-49, 5-91, 6-110, 7-123.
*Blaze batting: 137/3 (18.4/20 overs 7.3 r-p-o); Kathryn Bryce 54*not out(37), Georgie Boyce 26(27), Marie Kelly 20*not out (18), Sarah Bryce 15(14), Bethany ’Beth’ Harmer 12(17); Storm bowling: Claire Nicholas 2/24, Sophia Smale 1/30; Fow 1-28, 2-30, 3-96.
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via NV Play at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m96860cf2-db34-4dea-9860-32c0a2ff0293 & BBC Sport at URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKO56588
*Full match video courtesy of Glamorgan Cricket TV (starting from 07m30s/2h49m36s) via YouTube at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yo09dzjef9c
*Latest England and Wales Cricket Board tables at URL: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/womens-t20/table
