London Spirit vs Trent Rockets at Lords (London, North) on 12 August (11h00)
‘Basement battle,’ with both teams aspiring to make progress beyond the group stage. Before the match, skipper Heather Knight looked forward to ‘Spirit’s first win, had learned from previous ‘dismal’ collapse, adding that it was lovely to come to a ‘good ground.’ As the match progressed, ‘Spirit’s’ batters made double-figures that ‘put runs on the board.’ As predicted, much (was said by commentators to be) ‘riding’ on ‘Rockets’ skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt’s ‘shoulders.’ Partnered by Jo Gardner, the pair hit 3 ‘sixes’ and 1 ‘four’ setting a record 23 runs scored from five balls. During a remarkable turn-around of events, Nat Sciver-Brunt hit two straight ’sixes,’ the second hit from a ’no ball’ to take ‘Rockets’ safely over-the-line. Receiving her POTM Meerkat Match Hero cap-and-medal, Nat Sciver-Brunt (pictured) 81*not out (from 41 balls) played a ‘show-stopping’ skipper’s innings and was pleased to get ‘Rockets’ first win ‘under her belt.’ Introduced by Mel Jones (former player for Australia Women,) Nasser Hussain, Eoin Morgan & Mike Atherton (former England players); with guest commentator Stuart Broad – (Ashes series.) Match highlights courtesy of Sky Sports (please see below.) Weather at Cardiff was overcast, with ‘rain in the air.’
LS-W Skipper Heather Knight.*[Lizelle Lee keeping wicket for ‘Rockets’] *Four internationals: Richa Ghosh (India), Grace Harris (Australia WBBL), Amelia Kerr (NZ); plus Tara Norris (US.) *England’s Heather Knight, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Danielle ‘Dani’ Gibson; England ‘A’ Lauren Filer and U19’s Grace Scrivens & Sophie Munro.*When changing to spin, Grace Harris 10(7) was caught ‘really well’ by Fran Wilson at ‘backward-point,’ from Kirstie Gordon *’Not quite getting to the-pitch-of-the-ball.’ *Danielle ‘Dani’ Gibson 36(27), was caught at ‘point’ by Alana King from Kirstie Gordon – an ‘important’ wicket. *After 25 balls ‘Power-play,’ Spirit were 25/2. *Commentator’s curse struck when Heather Knight 11(14) who ‘knew how to play spin,’ was caught short of ‘square’ by Jo Gardner from Alana King. *By mid-way, ‘Spirit’ were 63/2. *Richa Ghosh 20(18) snicked to fellow keeper Lizelle Lee who ‘did well’ to hold on to the catch, from Bryony Smith (1/19.) *Best ‘Spirit’ batter was Danielle ‘Dani’ Gibson 36(27.) *Sophie Munro was 5*not out (5) *Best ‘Rockets’ bowler was Kirstie Gordon (2/19) whose figures were dented by bowling during the Power-play, as well as bowling the final 5 balls.
TR-W *Skipper Natalie ‘Nat’ Sciver-Brunt [Richa Ghosh keeping wicket for ‘Spirit’] *Three Internationals: Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Alana King (Australia) & Lizelle Lee (ex Republic South Africa) with Natalie Sciver-Brunt (England); Bryony Smith & Kirstie Gordon (England ‘A’) & Katherine Sciver-Brunt & Fran Wilson (ex England) *With Alexa Stonehouse (England u-19’s.) *During the ‘Power-play’ Lizelle Lee 4(5) top-edged a short ball ‘steepled’ to mid-wicket, caught by Grace Harris from Danielle ‘Dani’ Gibson (1/25.) *Bryony Smith went ‘leg-before’ to Charlie Dean. *After 25 balls ‘Power-play,’ the match was adjourned for a brief shower of rain. *Resuming in ‘much improved conditions’ on 25/2, Harmanpreet Kaur 3(4) went ‘leg-before’ to Sarah Glenn – a ‘huge’ wicket. *By mid-way, ‘Rockets’ were 53/3 (vs 63/2) needing 75 to win. *Fran Wilson and Naomi Dattani departed five balls apart, triggering concern for ‘another batting collapse.’ *Fran Wilson 10(14) was bowled by Lauren Filer’s full-length ‘Yorker’ (1/21.) *Next over, Naomi Dattani lost her off-stump to Sarah Glenn (2/19.) *With 20 balls remaining, skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt partnered by Jo Gardner hit 3 ‘sixes’ and 1 ‘four’ setting a record 23 runs from five balls. *Next over, top-scorer Nat Sciver-Brunt 81*not out (41) hit another two straight ’sixes,’ the second ‘six’ scored from a ’no ball’ to seal ‘Rockets” first win.*’Spirit’s’ best bowler was Sarah Glenn 2/19.
Match summary Commentators said there were two ways of playing the pitch. Either by ‘scrambling’ runs from ‘big shots’ (that were often well-fielded) that was ‘not going anywhere.’ Alternatively ’smart batting,’ to play off-spinners ‘with-the-spin,’ batting to ‘target the short-boundary.’ Commentators concluded that ‘spin’ was a ‘massive threat’ and (from what they’d seen) more needed to be done to play spin bowling effectively. Although scores were neck-and-neck for most of the match, SKY Sports ‘match predictor’ forecast Spirit to win until ‘Rockets’ made a surprise come-back. With 20 balls remaining (as mentioned above), skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt partnered by Jo Gardner hit 3 ‘sixes’ and 1 ‘four’ setting a record 23 runs from five balls. Next over, Nat Sciver-Brunt hit two straight ’sixes,’ the second struck from a ’no-ball,’ to win the match. Receiving her POTM Meerkat Match Hero cap-and-medal, Nat Sciver-Brunt 81*not out (41) was pleased to get ‘Rockets’ first win ‘under her belt.’ ‘Rockets’ (3 points) advanced to 5th-place with 4 rounds played-to-date. 7th-placed ‘Spirit’ (2 points) yet to chalk-up their first win.
Match result: Trent Rockets Women 127/5 (target 125) beat London Spirit Women: 124/4 by 5 wickets with 13 balls remaining
*Spirit’s batting: 124/5: (from 100 balls @1.2 runs-per-ball); Danielle ‘Dani’ Gibson 36(27), Amelia Kerr 36*not out (30), Richa Ghosh 20(18), Heather Knight 11(14), Grace Harris 10(7); *Rockets’ bowling: Kirstie Gordon 2/19, Alana King 1/18, Bryony Smith 1/19; Fow 1-27, 2-52, 3-67, 4-100.
*Rockets’ batting: 127/5 (from 86/100 balls @1.4 runs-per-ball); Natalie ‘Nat’ Sciver-Brunt 81*not out (41) Joanne ‘Jo’ Gardner 17(11) Fran Wilson 10*not out(14); *Spirit’s bowling: Sarah Glenn 2/19, Charlie Dean 1/11, Lauren Filer 1/21, Danielle ‘Dani’ Gibson 1/25; Fow 1-4, 2-23, 3-29, 4-80, 5-82.
*Scorecard courtesy of BBC Sport @URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKE1000732
*Match highlights courtesy of Sky Sports https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12040/12938584/the-womens-hundred-nat-sciver-brunt-fires-trent-rockets-to-victory-with-81-off-41-balls-against-london-spirit