Oval Invincibles W vs Manchester Originals London (South), at The Kia Oval on 9 August (15h00)
‘Invincibles’ took ‘Originals’ to-the-wire, to secure their first season’s win. As last year’s title-holders, Invincibles (pictured) set a new record for their bowlers’ ‘leg-before’ decisions in both the women’s and men’s games. POTM Meerkat Match Hero Ryana Macdonald-Gay took 4 crucial wickets including those of Originals’ top two internationals, both of whom made top-scores. Ryana Macdonald-Gay also took a ‘spectacular’ running catch to dismiss Katie George. Introduced by cricket pundits Ebony Rainford-Brent, with Eoin Morgan & Mike Atherton (former England players.) Also with Mel Jones (former Australia women) & Dinesh Karthik (former India.) Match highlights courtesy of Sky Sports (please see below.) Weather at The Oval was a ‘beautiful afternoon’ with an unusually green pitch (thanks to a wet July.)
OI-W *Skipper Dane van Niekerk *[Originals keeper Ellie Threlkeld] *International players Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk ex-skipper (Rep. South Africa) Suzie Bates ex-skipper NZ with Alice Capsey (England); Paige Scholfield, Mady Villiers (England ‘A’) Lauren Winfield-Hill (ex England keeper) Katie George (ex England) & Cordelia Griffith (England u-19’s) *Lauren Winfield-Hill went ‘leg-before’ to Mahika Gaur (1/13) *After 25 balls Power-play, Invincibles were 17/1.*Suzie Bates was ‘looking to sweep’ to leg-side, but missed a ‘straight ball’ from Sophie Ecclestone. *Given-a-life when dropped in-the-field by Fi Morris, Alice Capsey 50(41) who made ‘fifty’ was ‘easily’ stumped by Ellie Threlkeld from Fi Morris (1/19.) Ellie Threlkeld had earlier also ‘put down a tough chance.’ *Dane van Niekerk 42(23) played a ‘skipper’s innings’ until caught by Sophie Ecclestone from Amanda-Jade Wellington 1/29. *Paige Scholfield 0(1) was ‘run-out’ at the non-striker’s end by Deandre Dottin, for a ‘golden duck.’ *Mady Villiers 0(0) was ‘run-out’ by Sophie Ecclestone, without facing a ball. *Cordelia Griffith was ‘run out’ from the last ball. *Marizanne Kapp was 10* not out’(7.) *Invincibles best batter was Alice Capsey (‘fifty’.) *Originals best bowler was Mahika Gaur 1/13.
MO-W *Skipper Sophie Ecclestone *[invincibles keeper Lauren Winfield-Hill] *International players Laura Wolvaardt (Rep. South Africa), Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia ‘A’ & WBBL) & Deandre Dottin (ex-WIndies); with England’s Sophie Ecclestone, Emma Lamb & Scotland’s Kathryn Bryce. *Emma Lamb 0(1) went for a back-to-back ‘golden duck,’ going ‘leg before’ to Marizanne Kapp (1/24) *Commentators added that it ‘looked out, as the ball ‘nipped-back’ off the seam. *After 25 balls Power-play, Originals were 19/1 (vs 17/1.) *Laura Wolvaardt 27(23) who hit 4 ‘fours,’ went ‘leg before’ to Ryana Macdonald-Gay. *Ami Campbell 17(26) whose strike-rate was below-par was caught by Marizanne Kapp from Ryana Macdonald-Gay. *Amanda-Jade Wellington 6(4) went plumb ‘leg before’ to a ‘straight-ball’ from Eva Gray (65-66 mph.) *Sophie Ecclestone 11(12) went ‘leg before’ to Paige Scholfield (1/20) *Fi Morris 2(2) gained-a-life when Eva Gray misunderstood Paige Scholfield standing to receive at the non-striker’s end; but was ‘run-out’ next ball, by Alice Capsey. Deandre Dottin 42(26) ‘played well’ until caught ‘easily’ by Dane van Niekerk. *Kathryn Bryce 0(1) went for a ‘golden duck’ when caught by Paige Scholfield from Ryana Macdonald-Gay. *Katie George was caught by Ryana Macdonald-Gay from Eva Gray (2/18.) *Drama struck when Originals needed 14 runs from 6 balls and Invincibles ran out of time, with only 3 fielders allowed on the boundary. *Ellie Threlkeld 6*not out (3) *Mahika Gaur 0*not out (1) made a slow arrival, detected by Umpires to gain perverse incentive to time-out the match to force a draw. *Best Originals’ batter was Deandre Dottin 42(26.) Best Invincibles bowler was Eva Gray 2/18.
Match summary: Summarising the match, commentators said that (twice) defending champions had ‘found a way to win’ ending with a clatter of wickets when the match predictor (on-screen) forecast had been wrong. Separately, Invincibles set a new record (for women and men), to bag four ‘leg-before’ decisions appearing on their opponent’s scorecard (Emma Lamb, Laura Wolvaardt, Sophie Ecclestone & Amanda-Jade Wellington.) Receiving her POTM Meerkat Match Hero cap-and-medal, Ryana Macdonald-Gay said she’d come on to bowl at a ‘difficult time,’ admitting she was ‘scared’ when bowling to WIndies legend Deandre Dottin (who hit 3 ‘sixes.’) Commentators added that the match was a ‘brilliant display’ with the result hanging on a ‘knife-edge’ until the end. England’s Alice Capsey who scored a match-winning ‘fifty’ said that Invincibles had ‘put things right’ after starting their title defence with a ‘wash-out’ and a ‘defeat.’
Match result: Oval Invincibles Women 128/7 beat Manchester Originals Women 123/9 by 5 runs.
*Invincibles’ batting: 128/7 (100 balls @1.28 runs-per-ball); Alice Capsey 50(41), Dane van Niekerk 42(23), Suzie Bates 13(17), Marizanne Kapp 10*’not out’(7); *Originals’ bowling: Mahika Gaur 1/13, Fi Morris 1/19, Sophie Ecclestone 1/22, Amanda-Jade Wellington 1/29; Fow 1-11, 2-41, 3-102, 4-122, 5-122, 6-122, 7-128.
*Originals’ batting: 123/9 (100 balls @1.23 runs-per-ball); Deandre Dottin 42(26), Laura Wolvaardt 27(23), Ami Campbell 17(26); *Invincibles’ bowling: Ryana Macdonald-Gay 4/16, Eva Gray 2/18, Paige Scholfield 1/20; Fow 1-1, 2-43, 3-55, 4-74, 5-106, 6-115, 7-115, 8-116, 9-117.
*Scorecard courtesy of BBC Sport @URLhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKE1000729
*Match highlights (6m26s) courtesy of Sky Sports @URL https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/cricket/12936859/highlights-oval-invincibles-holds-off-manchester-originals-in-thriller-finish
