North West Thunder vs Central Sparks at Manchester (Emirates Old Trafford) on 8 May 2024
History was made when Sparks skipper Eve Jones (pictured) scored an undefeated skipper’s ton (136*not out) and entered Old Trafford’s record book as the female top-scorer of all-time. Commentators described Eve Jones’ ‘great knock’ as ‘unbelievable;’ even more-so when Sparks’ run-chase came down to the last three balls, with ‘great drama’ for a ‘tight finish.’ Batting second, Eve Jones was evidently in a hurry to see her side to victory, partnered by Bethan Ellis who struck the winning ‘four.’ After the match Eve Jones caught-up with the ‘England A’ squad booked next day at short notice, to play Pakistan’s touring women’s team. Level-pegging on 9 points, Sparks and Thunder lead the chasing pack in the lower half of the table, all four teams with two wins after 6 rounds. Commentators were Mike Perkins & Scott Reid (Sports journalists) with Paul Shaw (Thunder’s former coach.) Weather was sunny with clear blue sky 15C.
*Thunder’s innings skipper Ellie Threlkeld; with Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Emma Lamb (England) Katie Mack (Australia big-bash) Also with Danielle Collins; without Phoebe Graham [*Abbey Freeborn keeping wicket for Sparks] *After 10 overs power-play 36/0; *By mid-way (25overs) 119/0; *Opening partnership 140; *Seren Smale who made ‘fifty’ was bowled by Hannah Baker; *Emma Lamb who made a century was caught at ‘deep mid-wicket’ by rolling Bethan Ellis, from Emily Arlott; *Katie Mack was caught at ‘mid-on’ by Ria Fackrell from Hannah Baker; *Ellie Threlkeld was ‘run out’ by Charis Pavely, from Hannah Baker; *Fi Morris was ‘run out’ from ‘mid-on’ by Ria Fackrell, from Emily Arlott; *Naomi Dattani was caught by keeper Abbey Freeborn from Grace Potts; *Danielle Collins was caught by Courtney Webb from Grace Potts from the last ball; *Kate Cross was ’not out’ *Thunder’s batting Emma Lamb 107(104); Seren Smale 67(105); Katie Mack 42(42); Fi Morris 29(19); Naomi Dattani 17(13); *Sparks’ bowling used 7 bowlers: Grace Potts 2/46, Hannah Baker 2/51, Emily Arlott 1/57;
Sparks’ innings *skipper Evelyn ‘Eve’ Jones with Issy Wong (England & England A) Grace Potts & Hannah Baker (England A) Davina Perrin & Charis Pavely (England u-19s) *Courtney Webb (Australia Big bash) *Without Amy Jones (England) [*Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder] *Charis Pavely 10 was bowled by Kate Cross; *After 10 overs power-play 37/1 (vs 36/0); *Abbey Freeborn 13 was caught ‘mid-on’ by diving Naomi Dattani from Fi Morris; *By 107/2 mid-way (25overs) vs 119/0; *Chloe Brewer 26 was caught by Seren Smale from Fi Morris; *Courtney Webb 40 was bowled by Hannah Jones; *Emily Arlott 15 went ‘leg before’ to Hannah Jones; *Issy Wong was caught by Seren Smale from Kate Cross; *Ria Fackrell was ‘run out’ by Fi Morris, from Kate Cross; *Eve Jones 136*not out, played a skipper’s innings and carried her bat; Sparks’ batting: Eve Jones 136 (148), Courtney Webb 40(35), Chloe Brewer 26(35), Emily Arlott 15(12), Abbey Freeborn 13(31) Charis Pavely 10(25); Thunder’s bowling using 6 bowlers Kate Cross 2/50, Hannah Jones 2/62, Tara Norris 1/56, Fi Morris 1/59;
*Match result: Central Sparks 287/7 (@5.7 runs-per-over from 49.4/50 ov, target 285 from 50 ov) beat North West Thunder 284/7 (@5.6 rpo from 50/50 ov) by three wickets (with 2 balls remaining)
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104441#scorecard AppleMac users may need to scroll down the left-hand margin.
*Match free-to-air courtesy of Lancs TV (via NV Play) with promotional clip introduced by Alex Hartley & David ‘Bumble’ Lloyd (repeated between innings) on YouTube<07h46m25s>@URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddrOvdZwLgs
