Lancashire Thunder vs Northern Diamonds At Manchester (Emirates Old Trafford) on 19 May 2024 at 14h30
Before the ‘spicy’ Roses derby, skipper Ellie Threlkeld (pictured) aimed for Thunder to finish in the top four teams to build on last year’s success. Newly rebranded as ‘Lancashire’ Thunder, a decisive third-wicket partnership between England’s Emma Lamb (44*not out) and England u-19’s Seren Smale (30*not out) chalked-up 55 runs in just 47 balls, winning their first game by a comfortable margin. Earlier, Diamonds losing three key wickets during their power-play, their total score falling short of commentators’ expectation for 130. Introduced pitch-side by presenter Fraser Danson & Paul Shaw (ex Thunder Coach.) Commentators were Mike McCann (Sports journalist) with Allyson Bryne (former Lancs & Cheshire women) and Paul Shaw. Perfect playing conditions: ‘spectacular’ pitch with ‘nice bounce’ and clear blue sky, 17C.
*Diamonds innings: *Skipper Hollie Armitage (England & England A), Abigail ‘Abi’ Glen, Lauren Winfield-Hill (England, Aus Big bash). Katherine Fraser (Scotland), Sterre Kalis (NL), Sophia Turner (Thunder loan) & Emma Marlow; *Without Bess Heath (England call-up); *With Grace Hall & Rachel Slater for Rebecca Duckworth & Jess Woolston; [*Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder]; *Leah Dobson was caught inside the circle at ‘mid-wicket’ from a ‘steepler’ by Fi Morris from Mahika Gaur’s 5th ball; *Five balls later Lauren Winfield-Hill was caught high at ‘extra cover’ by Ailsa Lister, from Kate Cross; *Commentators curse struck after partnership between Hollie Armitage and Sterre Kalis was thought to be ‘key;’ *’Expected to cause problems,’ Hollie Armitage went ‘leg-before’ to Phoebe Graham’s ‘short’ 2nd ball; *After 6 overs power-play 22/3; *Partnership between Sterre Kalis and Emma Marlow nudged Diamonds to 44/3 by mid-way; *Commentators curse struck again when ’needing a wicket,’ Sterre Kalis was caught at ‘long-on’ by Kate Cross from Fi Morris; *Going for a second run, Phoebe Turner was ‘run out’ by Fi Morris, Kate Cross removing the bails at the non-striker’s end; *Diamonds batting: Only 3 batters made double-figures: top-scorer Emma Marlow 47(53), Katherine Fraser 23(18), Sterre Kalis 16(23); *Thunder bowling: *Lauded for a ’decent start: Mahika Gaur 1/11, Fi Morris 1/15, Kate Cross 1/21, Phoebe Graham 1/31;
*Thunder innings: skipper Ellie Threlkeld; with Kate Cross, Mahika Gaur & Emma Lamb (released by England), Seren Smale (England u-19s) debutante Ailsa Lister (Scotland), debutante Georgia Voll (Australia big-bash, replacing Katie Mack); *Also with Danielle Collins, Phoebe Graham & Hannah Jones replacing Naomi Dattani, Daisy Mullan & Tara Norris; *Without Sophie Ecclestone (England call-up); [*Lauren Winfield-Hill keeping wicket for Diamonds]; *Fi Morris went plumb ‘leg-before’ to Katie Levick’s 2nd ball; *After 6 overs power-play 56/1 (vs 22/3); *’Break-through’ when Georgia Voll was ‘rightly sent back’ by Emma Lamb and ‘run out’ by Sterre Kalis; *By mid-way 80/2 (vs 44/3) *Emma Lamb partnered by Seren Smale added 55 runs without further loss; *Thunder batting: Emma Lamb 44*not out(43), Seren Smale 30*not out(30), Georgia Voll 19(13); *Diamonds bowling: Katie Levick 1/33;
*Match result: Lancashire Thunder 112/2 (7.5 runs-per-over, from 14.5/20overs, target 110 from 20ov) 5 points; beat Diamonds 109/5 (5.4 rpo from 20/20 overs) by eight wickets (with 31 balls remaining)
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/charlotte-edwards-cup/match-centre/104373#scorecard AppleMac users may need to scroll down on left margin
*Video highlights courtesy of NV Play @URL https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#v3e0277e5-494a-4cd8-b807-0f26d1e9e149 & https://yorkshireccc.com/match/thunder-v-northern-diamonds-at-manchester-charlotte-edwards-cup-19-may-2024/?tab=m_scorecard
*Match free-to-air courtesy of Lancashire Cricket Club (via NV Play) on YouTube<03h00m51s> @URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8UEccsCDec&t=13s
*Played between innings, ‘Bring the Thunder – The Thunder Story,’ April 2004; trailer on YouTube <01m07> @URL https://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/production/lancashire-ccc-produces-long-form-cricket-doc/5192167.article
