Northern Diamonds vs Southern Vipers at Leeds (Headingley) on 4 September 2024 (10h30)
Described by commentators as the ‘in form’ team having won ‘six from their last seven’ matches, Diamonds ‘cemented’ their place in the semi-finals, with a cliff-hanger last-ball win over their North-South derby rivals. Eight batters from each team made double-figures with winning ‘fifties’ from Emma Marlow partnered by Rebecca Duckworth (Diamonds.) Vipers skipper Georgia Adams made top-score with ‘fifty’ and took most wickets (4-fer), albeit for the losing team. Needing a ‘single’ to tie from the final match ball, Scotland’s Rachel Slater (pictured) held her nerve to score the winning ‘two’ runs, to send Diamonds top-of-table with one match remaining, with sufficient points to qualify for the semi-finals. Separately, despite the suffering their third consecutive defeat, the defending champions need to beat fifth-placed Sunrisers in their final home match, to guarantee their own semi-final place. Commentators from BBC sport were Jonathan ‘Doigey’ Doidge (radio Leeds chief cricket correspondent) with Kevan ‘Kev’ James (radio Solent) with guest Dr Jane Powell (Performance Manager England Disability Cricket at ECB; & President at Yorkshire CCC) Weather was described as a beautiful sunny morning,’ 20C.
*Vipers’ Innings: skipper Georgia Adams (England ‘A’), withFreya Davies (England); *Also with Ava Lee, Abi Norgrove (England u-19s) Debutantes Rebecca ‘Rea’ Tyson (ex Sunrisers) & Naomi Dattani (ex Thunder); *Without Linsey Smith (England ‘A’) or Mary Taylor (u19s); [*Lauren Winfield-Hill keeping wicket for Diamonds]; *Rhianna Southby ‘top-edged’ aerial to ‘covers,’ caught by Abi Glen, from Rachel Slater; *After 10 ov. Power-play 31/1; *Ella McCaughan ‘clipped’ onto her stumps with bails sent flying, bowled by Katie Levick; *After 25 overs (mid-way) 101/2; *Despite diving flat-out, Georgia Elwiss was ‘run-out’ from ‘mid-off’ by Becky Duckworth’s direct hit at the non-striker’s end, from Rachel Slater; *Georgia Adams was bowled by Katie Levick; *’Losing her fitting at the striker’s end,’ Abi Norgrove was ‘run-out’ from ‘short-fine-leg’ by Katie Levick’s throw, to keeper Lauren Winfield-Hill at the striker’s end; *Emily Windsor was stumped by Lauren Winfield-Hill from Katie Levick; *Nancy Harman was bowled by Phoebe Turner; *’Struggling’ for a second run, Naomi Dattani was ‘run-out’ by Erin Burns’ throw, redirected to keeper Lauren Winfield-Hill at the striker’s end. Commentators agreed Vipers’ total was ‘competitive;’ *Vipers’ batting: Georgia Adams 57(82), Naomi Dattani 34(31), Emily Windsor 31(36), Georgia Elwiss 31(46), Ella McCaughan 30(47), Nancy Harman 19(16), Rhianna Southby 13(25), Abi Norgrove 11(12); Diamonds’ bowling: Katie Levick 3/36, Rachel Slater 1/40, Phoebe Turner 1/ 50;
Diamonds’ innings: *skipper Lauren Winfield-Hill & international players Sterre Kalis (NL) & Erin Burns (Australia Big Bash)*Also Katherine Fraser & Rachel Slater (Scotland) *Minus Hollie Armitage Bess Heath & Beth Langston; [*Rhianna Southby keeping wicket for Vipers]; *Failing to clear the inner-circle, Lauren Winfield-Hill was caught aerial at ‘mid-on’ by Freya Davies, from Georgia Adams’ bowling; *After 10 overs Power-play 30/1 (vs 31/1); *Playing ‘across-the-line,’ scoring career-best ‘fifty’ Rebecca Duckworth went ‘leg-before’ to Georgia Adams; *Level-pegging at mid-way (25 overs) on 97/2 (vs 101/2); *Sterre Kalis went ‘leg-before’ to Georgia Adams; *Scoring ‘fifty,’ but four runs short of her top-score, Emma Marlow was bowled ‘top-of-off-stump,’ by Georgia Elwiss; *Erin Burns went aerial, was caught ‘at backward point’ by Freya Davies from Rebecca ‘Rea’ Tyson; *Phoebe Turner ‘scooped’ to ‘leg-side’ and was bowled by Rea Tyson who was lauded for making ‘a good debut,’ not having played regional cricket before; *Playing ‘an indifferent stroke,’ Katherine Fraser was bowled by Georgia Adams; *Abi Glen was caught aerial at ‘deep square’ by Freya Davies, from Rea Tyson; *Sophie Turner was bowled by Freya Davies, for a second-ball duck; *Finally, Rachel Slater partnered by Katie Levick made a last-wicket stand of 35 runs; As mentioned above, Rachel Slater ‘unbelievably’ scored the winning ‘two’ runs from the last innings ball; *Diamonds’ batting: Emma Marlow 52(84), Rebecca Duckworth 51(75), Erin Burns 31(37), Abi Glen 24(14), Katherine Fraser 22(37), Rachel Slater 18*not out(12), Katie Levick 13*not out (14), Phoebe Turner 11(9); *Vipers’ bowling: Georgia Adams 4/30, Rebecca ‘Rea’ Tyson 3/49, Georgia Elwiss 1/20, Freya Davies 1/51;
*Match result: Northern Diamonds 241/9 (@4.8 runs-per-over, target 241 from 50/50 overs) beat Southern Vipers 240/8Â (@4.8 r-p-o from 50/50 overs) by one wicket
*Scorecard and video highlights when available courtesy of ECB (via NV Play) @url https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104466#scorecard *AppleMac users may need to scroll down on left margin to select a match
*Full match free-to-air courtesy of Northern Diamonds TV (NV Play) via YouTube <07h04m14s> @url https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdBy7C2-ceE
*Updated fixtures and results @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/08/23/updated-rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy-fixtures-and-results-2/
