Northern Diamonds vs The Blaze at Leeds, Headingley Stadium on 9 June 2024 (double-header) rain-delayed start 15h45
Following their previous first victory, Diamonds commentators were disappointed to see the hosts face such a ‘narrow defeat,’ by Blaze. Blaze’s international pairing of Tammy Beaumont (England) [45 runs (from 33 balls)]; and Kathryn Bryce (Scotland) [54 runs (from 39 balls)] combined, scored 99 runs from 72 balls. Once breakthrough came and wickets started to fall, commentators doubted whether Blaze would ‘see out’ their 20 overs. Turning to Diamonds’ reply, after Bess Heath (England) [59 runs (from 32 balls)] and Sterre Kalis (NL) [41 runs (from 32 balls)] replied with 100 runs from 64 balls. Commentators commended their team’s ‘resolve’ to make a ‘valiant effort’ to ‘claw their way’ back into the match; adding that Diamonds ‘came-up short’ (of their target) ‘with a narrow defeat’ by Blaze. Separately, Blaze’s seventh consecutive win was said to guarantee their place on finals day. Commentators for BBC radio Leeds: Jonathan Doidge (referred to endearingly as ‘Doidgy’), Graham Hardcastle (Sports journalist); with guest Dr Jane Powell (President, Yorks CCC; former England & Yorks women.)
*Blaze’s innings: *skipper Kirstie Gordon (England A’), Tammy Beaumont & Sarah Glenn (England), Josie Groves (England u19s), Kathryn & Sarah Bryce (Scotland) *With Heather Graham (Australia Big bash) replacing international player Nadine de Klerk; *Without Georgie Boyce (injured); [*Bess Heath keeping wicket for Diamonds]; *Beaten outside her off-stump, Teresa Graves was stumped by Bess Heath from Erin Burns’ 4th ball; *After 6 overs power-play, 53/1; *During the 10th over, scoring 6 ’fours’ and one ‘six,’ Tammy Beaumont top-edged leg-side to Katie Levick from Sophia Turner; *By mid-way, 92/2; *Sarah Bryce came down-the-wicket, caught by Erin Burns from Katherine Fraser; *Heather Graham was bowled by Erin Burns; *Two wickets fell during the 17th over; top-scorer Kathryn Bryce lofted a ‘great shot’ for ‘fifty,’ later caught by Katherine Fraser from Katie Levick; *Two balls later, Ella Claridge was bowled, middle-stump; *Finally Sarah Glenn took a ‘big swing’ and was caught by Lauren Winfield-Hill from Erin Burns; *Blaze’s batting: Kathryn Bryce 54(39), Tammy Beaumont 45(33), Heather Graham 14(10), Marie Kelly 14*not out (11); *Diamonds’ bowling: Erin Burns 3/19, Katie Levick 2/19, Katherine Fraser 1/27, Sophia Turner 1/43;
*Diamonds’ innings: *skipper Hollie Armitage, Bess Heath & Lauren Winfield-Hill (England & England A; & Aus Big bash), Erin Burns (Aus Big bash), Katherine Fraser (Scotland), Sterre Kalis (NL); With Grace Hall, Emma Marlow & Rachel Slater for Rebecca Duckworth, Abigail ‘Abi’ Glen & Jess Woolston; [*Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for Blaze]; *’Big blow’ when Lauren Winfield-Hill was caught at ‘extra-cover’ by Heather Graham from Grace Ballinger’s ‘full-toss,’ and ‘dawdled-off’ with disappointment; *’Major blow’ next over when Hollie Armitage was bowled by Sarah Glenn; *After 6 overs power-play, 46/2 (vs 53/1); *By mid-way, 77/2 (vs 92/2); *Sterre Kalis wafered an ‘outside edge’ to keeper Sarah Bryce, from Sarah Glenn; *Commentators’ curse struck when ‘conversations were taking place to stem the flow of runs;’ *Firstly, Erin Burns played an ‘uncharacteristic shot,’ across-the-line to a ‘full-delivery,’ bowled by Kirstie Gordon; *Secondly, three balls later, Bess Heath who was ‘vital,’ was caught by Lucy Higham, from Kathryn Bryce; *Thirdly, two balls later, Emma Marlow was run-out and understandably ’stormed-off;’ *Katherine Fraser was caught at ‘square-leg’ by Kathryn Bryce, from Sarah Glenn; *During the penultimate over Sophia Turner was caught inside the boundary by Lucy Higham, from Kathryn Bryce; *Two remaining wickets fell during Heather Graham’s death over when Leah Dobson attempted a ‘big heave,’ and was bowled; *Finally, Rachel Slater was caught by Marie Kelly from the penultimate match ball; *Diamonds’ batting: Bess Heath 59(32), Sterre Kalis 41(32); *Blaze’ bowling: Sarah Glenn 3/33, Heather Graham 2/22, Kathryn Bryce 2/27; Grace Ballinger 1/27, Kirstie Gordon 1/31;
*Match result: The Blaze 159/7 (7.9 runs-per-over from 20/20 overs) 4 points beat Northern Diamonds 146/10 (7.3 rpo from 19.5/20 ov; target 160 from 20/20 ov) by 13 runs with one ball remaining
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @url https://www.ecb.co.uk/charlotte-edwards-cup/match-centre/104396#scorecard AppleMac users may need to scroll down on left margin to select a match
*Video highlights (56) courtesy of Northern Diamonds & NV Play @url https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#vbb38ef7b-23ff-4554-84cd-bacb3dfd8279
*Full match free-to-air courtesy of Northern Diamonds (via NV Play) on YouTube @url https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJTh7mH5l6A
Footnote: before the match, both teams lined-up to pay their respects to professional rugby league footballer Robert ‘Rob’ Burrow CBE (1982-2024) of England and Leeds Rhinos; who died on 2 June, aged 41
