The Blaze vs Central Sparks at Trent Bridge on 31 May 2024 at 14h30 (double-header)
Billed as a ‘top-of-table’ clash, Blaze’s fourth straight win toppled Sparks from their pole position. Commentators lauded their home team for a ‘convincing victory,’ twice nominating Blaze’s Kathryn Bryce for player-of-the-match: as the only batter to have found the ‘measure of the pitch.’ When batting, Kathryn Bryce top-scored with ‘fifty;’ [57 runs (from 47 balls); the Scots skipper also taking two Sparks wickets when bowling (2/28) Commentator became a little critical of the visitors who reportedly ‘failed to find the boundary’ for six overs, tipping match advantage to Blaze who were ‘on top of their game.’ Blaze remain the only unbeaten team, after four rounds. Commentator believed to be Sam Downing with Bethany ‘Beth’ Harmer (Blaze player.) Weather: overcast, dry after recent rain with slow outfield; 15C.
*Blaze’s innings *skipper Kirstie Gordon (England A’), Tammy Beaumont (England), Josie Groves (England u19s) Kathryn & Sarah Bryce (Scotland) *Also with Nadine deKlerk (from Rep. South Africa) *Without Sarah Glenn or Nat Sciver-Brunt (England call-up) *Georgie Boyce (injured); [*Abbey Freeborn keeping wicket for Sparks]; *’A big wicket,’ Tammy Beaumont was caught at ‘mid-wicket’ by Charis Pavely from Emily Arlott’s third ball; *Teresa Graves was caught at ‘extra-cover’ one-handed by Eve Jones, from Grace Potts; *After six overs power-play 32/2 & 64/2 by mid-way; *Next over, Sarah Bryce was caught at ‘deep-mid-wicket’ by Katie George from Charis Pavely; *Kathryn Bryce made top-score with ‘fifty,’ firstly partnered by Sarah Bryce adding 55; Also partnered by Nadine deKlerk adding 40; *Missing a ‘sweep,’ Kathryn Bryce went ‘leg-before’ to Hannah Baker; *Next over, Nadine deKlerk was caught at ‘extra cover’ by Eve Jones from Georgia Davis; *Three balls later Marie Kelly ‘leg-before’ to Emily Arlott; *What turned out to be a match-winning partnership between Ella Claridge and Josie Groves added 13 without further loss; *Blaze’s batting: Kathryn Bryce 57(47), Sarah Bryce 22(26), Nadine deKlerk 19(19), Josie Groves 11*not out(7), Ella Claridge 10*not out(8); *Sparks’ bowling: Emily Arlott 2/23, Charis Pavely 1/19, Grace Potts 1/21, Georgia Davis 1/23, Hannah Baker 1/25;
*Sparks’ innings: *skipper Evelyn ‘Eve’ Jones (England, Englands ‘A’ & Australia Big bash); Grace Potts & Hannah Baker (England A); *Courtney Webb (Australia Big bash); Charis Pavely & Davina Perrin (England u-19s); *Without Amy Jones (England call-up) [*Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for Blaze]; *During the 2nd over Chloe Brewer was caught at ‘deep mid-wicket’ by substitute fielder Michaela Kirk (from Rep. South Africa), from Kirstie Gordon; *Said to be a ‘big wicket’, Davina Perrin mistimed a return ball back to ‘safe hands,’ caught-and-bowled by Kathryn Bryce; *Four balls later, trapped ’hovering’ around the crease, Abbey Freeborn went ‘leg-before’ by Grace Ballinger; *After 6 overs power-play, 31/3 vs 32/2); *Eve Jones partnership with Courtney Webb added 47 runs; *60/3 (vs 64/2) by mid-way; *Eve Jones was caught at ‘long-on’ by Marie Kelly, from Josie Groves; *Next over ‘still with work to do,’ Courtney Webb top-edged from a ‘big sweep,’ caught high by keeper Sarah Bryce, from Lucy Higham;*Commentators curse added that the required-run-rate was ‘creeping-up’ just as Charis Pavely was caught next ball by Ella Claridge’s diving catch, from Kirstie Gordon; *Having narrowly avoided a ‘run-out,’ Emily Arlott was bowled next ball by Kathryn Bryce’s slower ball; *Sparks’ batting: Katie George 28*not out(125), Evelyn ‘Eve’ Jones 26(24), Courtney Webb 19(24), Emily Arlott 12(8), Charis Pavely 10(9); *Blazes’ bowling: Kirstie Gordon 2/22, Kathryn Bryce 2/28, Lucy Higham 1/16, Josie Groves 1/20, Grace Ballinger 1/27;
Match result: The Blaze 134/6 (@6.7 runs-per-over, from 20/20overs); 4 points; beat Central Sparks 124/7 (6.2 rpo, from 20 ov., target 135 from 20 ov.) by 10 runs
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @url https://www.ecb.co.uk/charlotte-edwards-cup/match-centre/104387#scorecard AppleMac users may need to scroll down on left margin to select a match
*Video highlights (42) courtesy of The Blaze & NV Play @url https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#va709654b-70f3-4d21-ab27-8c872eeac1f3
*Full match free-to-air courtesy of The Blaze (via NV Play) on YouTube<03h12m48s>@url https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7YSZu0M4hk
*(Grace) Ballinger On Unbeaten t20 Start, Leading The Attack And Her Journey To 50 Caps <01m49s>@url https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cBQOgxkflI
