Sunrisers vs The Blaze on 27 April (12h00 – delayed start) at Chelmsford, Essex (The Cloud County Ground)
Match reduced to 42 overs per innings. Each team was docked eight overs when play got underway at noon after a late start following early rain. During Blaze’s innings, commentators received news from a keen statistician that upon taking her 3-fer, Mady Villiers had a clocked-up over fifty ‘class A’ career wicket at Sunrisers. The match reached its climax following a ‘magnificent’ skipper’s innings played by Grace Scrivens, closing undefeated just short of ‘fifty.’ With level-pegging scores, Mady Villiers struck the winning ‘four,’ before heavy rain arrived. Previously known by last season’s commentators as the team to beat, Blaze suffered an unprecedented third defeat in a row and are yet to score any points. In summary, ‘England A’ pairing Grace Scrivens (pictured) and Mady Villiers made certain of Sunrisers’ second place on equal points with Vipers, both teams 3 points behind undefeated Stars. Commentator Cameron ‘Cam’ Ponsonby with Danni Warren, Regional director of women’s cricket for Sunrisers, and guest Kelly Castle (Sunrisers player.) Weather was overcast with pre-match rain overnight, chilly conditions.
*Blaze’s Innings *Skipper Kirstie Gordon, Sophie Munro (England A), Sarah Glenn (England), Beth Harmer (England u-19s) Beth Gammon (Wales) *With Michaela Kirk & Nadine deKlerk (from Rep. South Africa) *Daisy Mullan (on loan) *Without Kathryn & Sarah Bryce (Scotland duties) Georgie Boyce (injured) [*Amara Carr keeping wicket for Sunrisers] *Marie Kelly was bowled top-of-middle by Nicola Hancock. *Commentators added that the ball ‘held its line and ‘nipped back.’ *Teresa Graves was bowled by Kate Coppack , also top-of-middle, just as Teresa Graves played across-the-line. *After 8 overs power-play Blaze were 30/2; *Nadine deKlerk went ‘leg-before’ attempting to ‘sweep’ Mady Villiers. *Daisy Mullan was bowled by Mady Villiers also missing a sweep. *Ella Claridge was bowled ‘middle-and-leg’ by Jodi Grewcock’s googly; *Sarah Glenn snicked an edge to keeper Amara Carr, collected ‘quite close to the ground.’ *’Bonus wicket’ when Beth Gammon took on Kate Coppack’s return-throw to the keeper and was ‘run out’ not making her ground. *Commentator’s curse struck just as Kirstie Gordon was ‘building a partnership’ with Lucy Higham just as floodlights were switched-on. *Lucy Higham was caught-on-cue at ‘deep backward square’ by Nicola Hancock. *Blaze’s batting: Fell some way short of posting 100 with their run-rate below 3 per over. *Nadine deKlerk 15(22), Daisy Mullan 14(41), Kirstie Gordon 10(24); *Sunrisers’ bowling Of 4 bowlers used, two took 3-fers: Mady Villiers 3/18, Nicola Hancock 3/20, Kate Coppack 2/33, Jodi Grewcock 1/7;
*Sunrisers’ Innings *Skipper Grace Scrivens with Mady Villiers (England A) Jodi Grewcock (England u19s) & Nicola Hancock (Australia Big-bash) Without Kelly Castle (injured) [Ella Claridge keeping wicket for Blaze] *Lauded by commentator, Grace Scrivens ‘succeeded where everyone else had failed’ (to get the right timing.) *Only three Sunrisers wickets fell. *Firstly when Ariana Dowse was bowled top of off-stump, with bails sent flying. *Secondly Cordelia Griffith was sent back during a batting mix-up where Grace Scrivens stood firm making it easy for Sarah Glenn to dislodge bails at the bowler’s end. *Thirdly, commentator’s curse struck when Grace Scrivens and Jodi Grewcock were ‘playing nicely.’ *Jodi Grewcock ‘holed-out’ to Lucy Higham when caught by Daisy Mullan at ‘mid-on.’ Sunrisers were ‘in safe hands’ when scores were level and Mady Villiers struck the winning ‘four.’ *Sunrisers’ batting Grace Scrivens 46*not out(50) Ariana Dowse 13(23) Jodi Grewcock 13(35) *Blaze’s bowling Lucy Higham 1/10; Grace Ballinger 1/25;
Match result: Sunrisers 88 (@4.3 runs-per-over from 42/42 overs, target 88) beat The Blaze 87 (@2.7 rpo from 31.3/42 ov.) by seven wickets with 127 balls remaining
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104429#scorecard
*Full match video free-to-air courtesy of Sunrisers Cricket https://www.youtube.com/@SunrisersCricket/streams
*Also via ‘YouTube’ <4h23m07s> @URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM2dvUgc0vs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM2dvUgc0vs
