Central Sparks vs Lancashire Thunder at Worcester (New Road) on 10 July 2024 at 09:30 (delayed start)
Match started just over an hour late. Sparks having previously won away, at Old Trafford. Both teams started with just one win from each of their last five matches and equally have a wafer-thin chance to qualify beyond the group stage. Commentators explained that it was never going to be easy for Sparks batting first on a ‘classic sticky wicket.’ Although Thunder’s seam bowler Tara Norris – pictured (4-fer: 4 wickets for 18 runs) was said to ‘set the tone,’ celebrations for Tara Norris’ fourth-wicket were ‘muted’ after Thunder’s skipper Ellie Threlkeld had her protective keeper’s grill penetrated by a flying bail. Continuing after a brief hiatus, Sparks’ innings became ‘disappointing.’ By contrast, Thunder’s batters made an ‘impressive performance.’ Both top-scorer Emma Lamb [71*not out (from 85 balls)]; and guest Australian Katie Mack [52*not out (69)]; scored ‘fifties’ during their century third-wicket stand. The flow-of-play was interrupted for a second time when Emma Lamb appeared to be floored by cramp with Thunder on 113/2. The injury caption quickly disappeared once commentators realised that footwear-stud adjustments were being made with a plastic key; at which point drinks were taken early in the 25th over. Four overs later, Thunder ‘coasted to victory,’ commentators adding that it was ‘fitting’ for Emma Lamb to score the winning ‘four’ to seal victory, putting them a nose ahead of Sparks (at time of writing after nine rounds.) Commentators were Michael ‘Mike’ Perkins with Michael ‘Mike’ McCann (Sports journalists.) Weather: early rain gave way to sunny spells on a drying pitch 15C.
*Sparks’ innings: skipper Eve Jones (England ‘A’) *With Davina Perrin & Hannah Baker (England u19’s), *Courtney Webb (Australia big bash), *Without Amy Jones (England call-up), Also without Ami Campbell & Ria Fackrell; [Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder] *Tara Norris was said to ‘dominate’ Sparks 1st over, Norris’ 8th ball trapping Chloe Brewer plumb ‘leg before;’ *Abbey Freeborn was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ with flying bails from Tara Norris; *Next over, Davina Perrin was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ with flying bails from Sophie Morris; *After 10 ov. Power-play 34/3; *Courtney Webb was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ with flying bails from Sophie Morris; *Eve Jones was caught at deep ‘mid-on’ by Phoebe Graham from Sophie Morris; *By mid-way (25ov) 86/5; Katie George was bowled by Tara Norris; *Emily Arlott was caught by keeper Ellie Threlkeld from Naomi Dattani; *Bethan ‘Beth’ Ellis was bowled by Tara Norris; *Georgia Davis was caught by keeper Ellie Threlkeld from Hannah Jones, Hannah Baker was ‘run-out’ by Alice Clarke; *Sparks’ batting: Eve Jones 38(62), Bethan ‘Beth’ Ellis 33(53), Katie George 23(43), Grace Potts 13*not out (28) Courtney Webb 10(10); *Thunder’s bowling: Tara Norris 4/18, Sophie Morris 3/31, Naomi Dattani 1/13, Hannah Jones 1/36;
*Thunder’s innings: skipper Eleanor ‘Ellie’ Threlkeld; with Emma Lamb (England), Seren Smale (England ‘A’), *Also with Katie Mack (Australia big-bash); *With Danni Collins, Hannah Jones & Sophie Morris; *Debutante Alice Clarke; *Without Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone (England call-up); *Without Mahika Gaur (England ‘A’) or Ailsa Lister (Scotland), Liberty ‘Libby’ Heap; [*Abbey Freeborn keeping wicket for Sparks]; *Alice Clarke was ‘run-out’ by Bethan Ellis; *Seren Smale was bowled by Grace Potts; *By 25ov. 119/2 (vs 86/5); *Emma Lamb (6 ‘fours’ and 1 ‘six’) hit the winning ‘four’ and carried her bat; *Katie Mack (5 ‘fours’) was also ‘not out’; *Thunder’s batting: Emma Lamb 71*not out (85), Katie Mack 52*not out(69), Seren Smale 12(21); *Sparks’ bowling: Grace Potts 1/23;
*Match result: Lancashire Thunder 147/2 (@5.0 runs-per-over from 29/50 overs; target 145 from 50 overs) beat Central Sparks 144/10 (@3.3 rpo from 42.4/50 overs) by eight wickets (with 126 balls remaining)
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @url https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104450#scorecard AppleMac users may need to scroll down on left margin to select a match
*Video highlights (41) courtesy of Central Sparks & powered by NV Play @url https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_videos#cff4ce921-ba67-43e4-8045-f15cb3ac842c_m0a2c2e4e-ea0d-473f-9006-c3320fcdfe25
*Full match free-to-air courtesy of Central Sparks (via NV Play) on YouTube<05h51m16s> @url https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBeI8DEFGFc
*Updated fixtures and results @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/05/12/updated-rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-fixtures-and-results/
