Northern Diamonds vs Western Storm at Leeds (Headingley Stadium) on 24 April (10h30)
Diamonds chalked-up back-to-back wins, with some of the ‘most experienced’ players in the competition. Hollie Armitage scored a skipper’s ton (103) to go top of the batting leader board. Commentators lauded Abi Glen who played ’shots all round the ground’ scoring (what turned out to be) a match-winning ‘fifty’ from the very last ball of Diamonds’ innings. Three Storm bowlers each took 3-fers. Abi Glen and Phoebe Turner each took 3-fers for Diamonds. Commentators: Jonathan Doidge (BBC radio Leeds), Graham Hardcastle (Sports journalist, referred to endearingly by Doidge as ‘Cally’); with guest Dr Jane Powell (President, Yorks CCC; former England & Yorks women.)
Separately, there was some controversy concerning a news story said to have been ‘leaked’ insensitively by the Press. Commentators added that Yorkshire Cricket’s scaled-back plans to support women’s cricket from next year had been ‘upsetting’ for Diamonds’ players to discover, in the light of Durham’s successful bid. Weather: dry, breezy, with the threat of intermittent light drizzle forecast, around 10-12C.
*Diamonds‘ innings *Skipper Hollie Armitage (England & England A), Bess Heath (England & Aus Big bash), Abigail ‘Abi’ Glen, Lauren Winfield-Hill (England, Aus Big bash) *Sterre Kalis (NL) & Erin Burns (Australia Big bash) Sophia Turner (Thunder loan) *Without Jess Woolston [*Natasha Wraith keeping wicket for Storm, who elected to bowl] *Seamer Danni Gibson took two wickets during the power-play, where low deliveries both ‘nipped back.’ *Firstly, Sterre Kalis was bowled ‘off-and-middle.’ *Secondly, Lauren Winfield-Hill ‘stepped back,’ off-stump skittled.*After 10 overs power-play 50/2. *Amanda-Jade Wellington took three wickets in a row. *Firstly, Bess Heath was caught by Mollie Robbins.*Secondly, fellow Australian Erin Burns was bowled ‘through-the-gate.’ *Thirdly, Leah Dobson was caught low-down at mid-wicket by Niamh Holland. *By mid-way (25 overs) Diamonds were 115/5. *Second-half batting heroics saw Hollie Artmitage ‘find the (fielding) gaps,’ to score her first century of the season *Also Abi Glen who played shots ‘all round the ground,’ bagged her match-winning ‘fifty’ by scoring 14 runs from Lauren Filer’s final over. *Diamonds’ batting *Diamonds showed resiliance beyond mid-way *Hollie Armitage 103 (114), Abi Glen 53*not out (46), Lauren Winfield-Hill 32(33), Phoebe Turner 32(42), Bess Heath 13(14); *Storm’s bowling: After Danni Gibson took two power-play wickets, Amanda-Jade Wellington took a 3-fer. *Sophia Smale was on a hat-trick once Hollie Armitage was caught by Fran Wilson. *Next ball, Lizzie Scott received a golden duck. *Three bowlers took 3-fers: Amanda-Jade Wellington 3/30, Danielle Gibson 3/44, Sophia Smale 3/63;
*Storm’s innings skipper Sophie Luff with Danielle ‘Danni’ Gibson (England), Sophia Smale (England u-19s), Fran Wilson (ex England), & Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia World Cup winner & Big bash) *Also with Lauren Filer (England.) After 10 overs power-play 53/0(vs 50/2.) Level-pegging by mid-way (25 overs) 145/5 (vs 115/5.) *Sophia Smale 35 was bowled leg-stump by Phoebe Turner. *Fran Wilson 32 was also bowled leg-stump, by a ‘well-pitched’ ball from Erin Burns.*Danni Gibson 5 was also bowled by Erin Burns. *Natasha Wraith 27 was bowled middle-stump by Phoebe Turner. *With 84 still needed, Amanda-Jade Wellington was bowled ‘through-the-gate’ by Abi Glen.*Three balls later, Niamh Holland was bowled between middle-and-off by Sophia Turner. *Next over, Mollie Robbins 4 was bowled by Abi Glen, at which point Storm needed 30 runs from their last two overs.*Commentators were right to say that Diamonds had ‘closed-out’ the match (beyond Storm’s reach.). *Storm’s batting Seven batters were clean-bowled. No ’fifties,’ with 30 runs needed from last two overs.*Sophia Smale 35(49), Fran Wilson 32(36), Niamh Holland 29(53), Amanda-Jade Wellington 28(26), Natasha Wraith 27(36), Alex Griffiths 26(31), Sophie Luff 25(37), Chloe Skelton 11*not out(7); *Diamonds’ bowling: Two bowlers took 3-fers Abi Glen 3/42, Phoebe Turner 3/46, Erin Burns 2/41, Sophia Turner 1/43, Katie Levick 1/54;
Match result: Northern Diamonds 275/9 (50/50 overs@5.5 runs-per-over) beat Western Storm 265 (49.2/50 ov target 276 @5.3 rpo) by 10 runs with 4 balls remaining.
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104422#scorecard
*Video highlights free-to-air via Yorkshire Cricket TV (via NV Play) <10:19> edited from <7h24m40s> @URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGryMRZQ8Lk&list=PLwSayea3yDF_s3v6N79zINUdJsFjFm8yX
*Youtube video free-to-air via Yorkshire Cricket TV (via NV Play) <7h24m40s> @URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CcasAHRMLM
