Central Sparks vs The Blaze at Derby on 22 June 2024
A carbon-copy result from the dress-rehearsal four days beforehand saw Sparks chalk-up the same total, plus one run. Blaze beat Sparks by the same margin of five wickets, with Josie Groves (England u19s) playing a valuable role not only by stepping-up ‘as asked’ in place of England’s Sarah Glenn; but also by hitting three ‘fours’ with her bat to win the match. Batting first, another ‘enterprising innings’ by England u19s star batter Davina Perrin [32*not out(from 17 balls)]:partnered this time by Ami Campbell (21 from 14); added 54 runs during Sparks’ power-play.’ Guest Australian Courtney Webb made top score (45*not out from 31 balls). With a chaotic final over during which commentators were certain there could have been two ‘run-outs,’ Sparks added one run to their previous total score. Blaze batters countered with an equally enterprising power-play. Tammy Beaumont (England) partnered by Kathryn Bryce (Scotland) played a ‘magnificent’ innings, the pair adding 51 runs. Guest Australian Heather Graham played a short-lived cameo (16 from 13.) Separately, England u19s star bowler Hannah Baker took a 3-fer. Match reached its climax when Josie Groves stepped-up to strike three consecutive ‘fours’ to win, with a comfortable margin of two overs remaining. Blaze qualify for their second consecutive Charlotte Edwards Cup final, determined to improve upon last year when they were runners-up. Finals day commentators were Charles Dagnall (Broadcaster & former player), Michael McCann (Sports journalist), Jo Gardner (Sunrisers), Sophie Luff (Western Storm) & Fi Morris (Lancashire Thunder) with Donna Alos (ECB) presenting pitch-side. Weather was sunny 17C.
Sparks’ Innings *Skipper Evelyn ‘Eve’ Jones (England A), Hannah Baker (ECB Women’s Development XI & u19s), Charis Pavely & Davina Perrin (England u-19s) With Emily ‘Em’ Arlott, Grace Potts, Georgia Davis & Ami Campbell; *With Courtney Webb (Australia Big bash) *Without Issy Wong (England ‘A’) *Without Amy Jones (injured) or Ria Fackrell [*Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for Blaze]; *Ami Campbell was caught at ‘long-on’ by Marie Kelly, from Kirstie Gordon; *Davina Perrin was bowled ‘top-of-off-stump’ by Grace Ballinger *After 6 overs power-play 54/2; *Eve Jones was caught-and-bowled ‘low down’ by Lucy Higham; 77/3 by mid-way (10 overs); *With the competition’s best strike rate, Abbey Freeborn was run out by Ella Claridge, with Kathryn Bryce receiving at the non-striker’s end; *Katie George was bowled by Josie Groves; *Charis Pavely was stumped by Sarah Bryce from Josie Groves; *Emily Arlott was caught at ‘extra cover’ by Kirstie Gordon from Heather Graham; *Grace Potts was caught at ‘mid-off’ by Kathryn Bryce from Grace Ballinger *Georgia Davis was ‘run-out’ Marie Kelly’s throw to Heather Graham at the non-striker’s end; ’Excellent innings’ by Courtney Webb; *As mentioned above, 18 runs from final over, with ’chaotic’ ending after missing a ‘run-out’ opportunity; *Sparks’ batting: Courtney Webb 45*not out(31), Davina Perrin 32(19), Ami Campbell 21(14), Abbey Freeborn 17(16), Eve Jones 10(13); *Blaze’s bowling: Josie Groves 2/16, Grace Ballinger 2/34, Lucy Higham 1/21, Heather Graham 1/22, Kirstie Gordon 1/31;
Blaze’s innings *Skipper Kirstie Gordon (England A) *With Tammy Beaumont (England); *Lucy Higham (England A) *Josie Groves (England u-19s) *Heather Graham (Australia Big bash) *Also with Kathryn & Sarah Bryce (Scotland) & Marie Kelly; [*Abbey Freeborn keeping wicket for Sparks]; *Without Georgie Boyce, Sarah Glenn, Teresa Graves, or Michaela Kirk (Rep. South Africa, seen spectating); *Marie Kelly was caught by Eve Jones, from spinner Hannah Baker’s 4th ball; *After 6 overs power-play 51/1 (vs 54/2); *By mid-way (10 overs) 78/1 (vs 73/3) *Tammy Beaumont was caught-and-bowled ‘low-down’ by seamer Katie George; *Sarah Bryce was caught by keeper Abbey Freeborn from Hannah Baker, who’d changed ends; *Heather Graham was caught by Emily Arlott, from Courtney Webb; *Kathryn Bryce played a ‘magnificent innings,’ until caught by Eve Jones from Hannah Baker who took a 3-fer; *Next over, as mentioned above, facing just four balls, Josie Groves scored Blaze’s winning runs with three consecutive ‘fours;’ *Blaze’s batting Kathryn Bryce 44(39), Tammy Beaumont 39(31), Heather Graham 16(13), Jose Groves 14*not out(4); *Sparks’ bowling: Hannah Baker 3/34, Courtney Webb 1/14, Georgia Davis 1/30;
Match result: The Blaze 141/5 (@7.8 runs-per-over from 18/20 overs)beat Central Sparks 140/9 (@7.0 rpo from 20/20 overs) by five wickets with 12 balls remaining
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @url https://www.ecb.co.uk/charlotte-edwards-cup/match-centre/104411#scorecard
*Video highlights (54) courtesy of ECB & NV Play @url https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#v43374a42-b467-4bb2-94de-455d975ef73f
*Complete final and semi-finals courtesy of ECB (via NV Play) on YouTube<11h03m37s> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-zm-Cg-PHY&t=4215s
