Northern Diamonds vs Lancashire Thunder at Chester-le-Street (Seat Unique, Riverside) Durham on 19 June 2024 at 11h30
‘Roses Derby’ with neither side able to qualify for Saturday’s Finals Day (Derby). On the day, only 3 batters from each side made double-figures and neither side needed to bat for 16.4 overs (100 ball benchmark.) As the match began, Diamonds commentators lauded the ‘opening (bowling) combination’ of Scotland’s Rachel Stater – pictured who took a Diamonds’ career-best 3-fer (3/12); partnered by Lizzy Scott, making her first t20 appearance this season. Early wickets were said to be ‘key’ to a ‘fantastic’ start by Diamonds. Both of Thunder’s openers departed for single-figures during the first three overs and two more wickets fell during their power-play (22/5.) Rachel Slater later told reporters that during recent matches, her plans to take more wickets had ‘obviously come-off.’ Separately, said to be making her fourth appearance this season for Diamonds, top-scorer Rebecca Duckworth was undefeated with 21*not out. Afterwards, Diamonds’ Head-coach Dani Hazell told reporters that recent wins gave Diamonds momentum they needed to restart their 50-overs campaign after the short break. Both Diamonds and Thunder close their t20 campaigns with three wins from ten rounds played. Thunder finish two points ahead, from legendary Old Trafford weather bagging them extra points for ‘no result.’ Signing-off, first-time commentator Ben Fitzpatrick (Sports journalist) and Harry Dawson (Durham Cricket Media) were both convinced that the result was ‘never in doubt.’ Weather: dry and cool with ‘cloud coverage’ 15-18C.
*Thunder innings: skipper Ellie Threlkeld; with Kate Cross & Emma Lamb (England), debutante Grace Johnson, Katie Mack (Australia big-bash, replacing Georgia Voll); *Also with Phoebe Graham, Liberty ‘Libby’ Heap, Tara Norris; *Without Danielle Collins, Hannah Jones & Daisy Mullan ; *Also without Sophie Ecclestone & Mahika Gaur (England) & Ailsa Lister (Scotland); [*Bess Heath keeping wicket for Diamonds]; *With insufficient elevation, Fi Morris was caught at ‘deep-square’ by Sophia Turner, from Lizzie Scott’s 3rd ball; *Next over, Emma Lamb was bowled by ‘an absolute beauty’ from Rachel Slater’s 4th ball; *’Amazing start’ when 4 balls later Katie Mack was caught at ‘backward point’ by Katherine Fraser making a ‘stunning’ dive, from Lizzie Scott; *Next over Seren Smale was bowled by a ball that ‘nipped back,’ from Rachel Slater; *8 balls later Ellie Threlkeld was ‘run-out’ at the striker’s end by Emma Marlow’s throw to Bess Heath; *After 6 overs power-play 22/5; *Next over, debutante Grace Johnson was caught at ‘mid-off,’ an ‘easy catch’ taken by Sterre Kalis; *During the 10th over Kate Cross came ‘down-the-track’ and was bowled by Erin Burns (earlier gaffed as a ‘pace bowler,’ rather than a spinner); *By mid-way 41/7); *Tara Norris was bowled ‘off-stump’ by Katherine Fraser’s straight ball; *2 balls later, Libby Heap was stumped by Bess Heath, from Katie Levick; *Finally, Sophie Morris was caught at ‘cover’ by Hollie Armitage from Erin Burns; *Thunder batting: Liberty ‘Libby’ Heap 12(16), Kate Cross 11(15), Tara Norris 13(12); *Diamonds bowling: Rachel Slater 3/12, Erin Burns 2/2, Lizzie Scott 2/12, Katherine Fraser 1/5, Katie Levick 1/15;
*Diamonds innings: *Skipper Hollie Armitage (England & England A), Bess Heath (England), Katherine Fraser & Rachel Slater (Scotland), Sterre Kalis (NL), Erin Burns (Australia Big bash), Sophia Turner (Thunder loan) Rebecca Duckworth (Ex-Thunder), Emma Marlow; *Without Leah Dobson, Abigail ‘Abi’ Glen, Grace Hall, Lauren Winfield-Hill, & Jess Woolston; [*Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder]; *With ‘plenty to work with,’ Emma Marlow went ‘leg-before’ to Kate Cross’ 7th ball; *Cursed by commentators as ‘second highest scorer,’ Sterre Kalis went ‘leg-before’ to Sophie Morris’ 3rd ball; *After 6 overs power-play 31/2 (vs 22/5); *Having arrived to a ‘scary situation’ immediately after the power-play, Rebecca Duckworth went on to make top score; *Next over, Bess Heath was snicked-an-edge to fellow keeper Ellie Threlkeld, from Kate Cross; *Hollie Armitage was bowled by Sophie Morris; *After 10 overs 42/4 (vs 41/7) by mid-way; *Erin Burns was caught deep of ‘mid-off’ by Grace Johnson from Fi Morris; Katherine Fraser hit the winning ‘four;’ *Diamonds batting: Hollie Armitage 15(20), Sterre Kalis 10(10), Rebecca Duckworth 21*not out(27); *Thunder bowling: Fi Morris 1/0, Sophie Morris 2/13, Kate Cross 2/14;
*Match result: Diamonds 62/5 (4.5 runs-per-over, from 13.4/20overs, target 62 from 20ov) beat Lancashire Thunder 61/10 (4.2 rpo from 14.2/20 overs) by five wickets (with 38 balls remaining)
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @url https://www.ecb.co.uk/charlotte-edwards-cup/match-centre/104408#scorecard
*Video highlights (27) courtesy of Northern Diamonds & NV Play @url https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#vf8b0c6e1-8167-4661-b0b0-2e51d4c56985
*Full match free-to-air courtesy of Northern Diamonds TV (via NV Play) on YouTube<03h43m58s>@url https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5iiWl9-0Lo
*Finals day at Derby @url https://derbyshireccc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/charlotte_edwards_cup_finals_day
