Central Sparks vs Western Storm at Worcester (New Road) on 12 July 2024 at 09:30
Previously, commentators described the pitch as a ’sticky wicket’ that was difficult to bat on. A ‘star performance’ from guest Australian Amanda-Jade Wellington (pictured) proved crucial, by making top-score [83 runs (from 53 balls)] during a century 6th wicket stand with Storm’s Sophie Luff who scored a skipper’s ‘fifty.’ Sparks stand-out bowler was Katie George (recruited from Storm) who took a 5-fer. Between innings, commentators explained that Issy Wong (loaned by Sparks) had needed formal permission to play ‘on loan’ and ‘had a point to prove.’ Commentator’s curse struck with successive balls. Issy Wong (3/20) firstly bowled Sparks skipper; and secondly had Spark’s keeper caught by fellow keeper – both falling for golden ducks. Issy Wong’s third wicket reduced Sparks to 11/3. Separately, continuing her star performance (mentioned above) Amanda-Jade Wellington trapped Sparks’ top-scorer Davina Perrin ‘leg before,’ as one of three Sparks batters who posted double-figures. Storm’s ‘comprehensive win,’ lifts them from 8th place. Pressure remains on both teams as main contenders for the wooden spoon. Commentators were Michael ‘Mike’ Perkins (Sports journalist) with Carol Camino (former Worcs & Middx women) and Sarah Ginn (West Midlands women’s league Coach & Manager.) Weather: cloudy, mainly dry with sunny spells, 17C.
*Storm’s innings *skipper Sophie Luff with Issy Wong (England ‘A’), *Niamh Holland & Sophia Smale (England u-19s), *plus Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia big-bash) *Without Lauren Filer, Danielle Gibson & Heather Knight (on England call-up); *[Abbey Freeborn keeping wicket for Sparks] *After 10 ov. Power-play 66/0; *Sophia Smale was caught ‘in-the-covers’ by Courtney Webb from Ria Fackrell; *Three balls later Emma Corney was bowled ‘middle-and-leg,’ with leg-stump flattened by Hannah Baker; *By mid-way (25 ov.) 139/2; Fran Wilson was bowled off her pads, with leg-stump flattened by Bethan Ellis; *Nat Wraith was caught at ‘deep mid-wicket’ by Ria Fackrell from Bethan Ellis; *Next over, Niamh Holland had her ‘off-stump’ skittled by Katie George for a golden duck; *Sophie Luff partnered by Amanda-Jade Wellington chalked-up a century partnership; Sophie Luff was caught-and-bowled by Katie George; *Alex Griffith was caught by Hannah Baker from Katie George; *Top-scorer Amanda-Jade Wellington was caught behind by Abbey Freeborn from Grace Potts; *Issy Wong was caught-and-bowled by Katie George; *Ellie Anderson was bowled by Katie George; *Storm’s batting: Amanda-Jade Wellington 83(53), Sophie Luff 60(102), Sophia Smale 42(47), Emma Corney 39(48), Fran Wilson 21(23); *Sparks’ bowling: Katie George 5/50, Bethan Ellis 2/16, Hannah Baker 1/44, Ria Fackrell 1/51, Grace Potts 1/78;
*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 with & Ria Fackrell for Emily Arlott (injured); *[Nat Wraith keeping wicket for Storm] *Issy Wong immediately on a hat-trick with the new ball, firstly when Eve Jones was bowled for a golden duck; *Next ball, Abbey Freeborn was caught behind for another golden duck; *Chloe Brewer went ‘leg before’ during Issy Wong’s second-over; *Courtney Webb was caught high at ‘mid-on’ by Sophia Smale from Alex Griffiths’ 3rd ball; *After 10 ov. Power-play 51/4 (vs 66/0); *Katie George was caught aerial at ‘mid-on’ by Issy Wong, from Alex Griffiths; *’Fluid batter’ Davina Perrin made top-score, but padded ‘leg before’ beneath her bat to Amanda-Jade Wellington; *Sweeping across-the-line,’ Ria Fackrell was bowled by Chloe Skelton; *Following mid-pitch hesitation, Georgia Davis was ‘run out’ at the non-striker’s end by Fran Wilson from Chloe Skelton; *Grace Potts was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ with bails sent flying, from Chloe Skelton; *Finally, Hannah Baker played all around the ball, trapped ‘leg before’ to Chloe Skelton; *Sparks’ batting: Davina Perrin 42(55), Bethan ‘Beth’ Ellis 16*not out (29), Katie George 14(9); *Storm’s bowling: Chloe Skelton 3/8, Issy Wong 3/20, Alex Griffiths 2/23, Amanda-Jade Wellington 1/14;
*Match result: Western Storm 284/10 (@5.6 runs-per-over from 49.5/50 overs;) beat Central Sparks 102/10 (@4.0 rpo from 25/50 overs target 285 from 50/50 overs) by 182 runs
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @url https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104454#scorecard AppleMac users may need to scroll down on left margin to select a match
*Video highlights (71) courtesy of Central Sparks & powered by NV Play @url https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_videos#cff4ce921-ba67-43e4-8045-f15cb3ac842c_mb111df8a-4020-4173-96ff-ab1e8615b2cc
*Full match free-to-air courtesy of Central Sparks (via NV Play) on YouTube<05h59m12s> @url https://westernstorm.co.uk/news/2024-rhft-sparks-v-storm-live/
*Updated fixtures and results @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/05/12/updated-rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-fixtures-and-results/
