The Blaze vs Essex women (match 12 league one ‘double-header’) at The Central Co-Op County Ground Derby on Friday, 6 June 2025
Commentators announced that ‘it was all happening at Derby’ when two Blaze players became injured during Essex women’s power-play. Blaze strike bowler Grace Ballinger was escorted away with a pulled ham-string after bowling one ball. A second incident gave cause for concern when Marie Kelly sustained an ankle injury when rolling backwards after catching Cordelia Griffith awkwardly. Kathryn Bryce – pictured (also Scots skipper) was lauded for her outstanding contribution with bat and ball. Stepping-up to relieve Grace Ballinger, her fifth delivery quickly sent Essex opening batter Lauren Winfield-Hill back to the ‘dug-out,’ much as home-team commentators had wished having wanted ‘to see the back of her early’. Commentators then changed tack by beefing-up Maddie Penna, who was then bowled ‘beneath her bat’ by Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon. Turning to Blaze innings, Kathryn Bryce went on to make top-score with her bat with an unbeaten run-a-ball ‘fifty’ [51*not out (from 51 balls).] Esmae MacGregor was ‘pick-of-the-Essex bowlers,’ taking 2/28. Kathryn Bryce’s final shot was a match-winning ‘six’ that not only chalked-up her unbeaten ‘fifty,’ but also bagged Blaze a bonus-point. Commentary by Kevin Hand (unannounced) with guest player Lucy Higham. Weather: cloud cover 14C.
Essex women wearing full-fronted red, full-backed mauve over sleeveless navy blue; *skipper Grace Scrivens (‘England ‘A’); *[Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for Blaze]; *with international player Madeline ‘Maddie’ Penna (Australia); *without Amara Carr or Jodi Grewcock; *Lauren Winfield-Hill went ‘leg-before’ to Kathryn Bryce for a fifth ball ‘duck’; *Lissy Macleod was ‘run-out’ from ‘gully’ by Ella Claridge *Cordelia Griffith was caught at ‘mid-on’ (for a second-ball duck) by Marie Kelly rolling backwards, from Cassidy McCarthy’s delivery; *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 25/3; *Grace Scrivens was caught at ‘backward point’ by Michaela Kirk from Josie Groves; *By ‘mid-way’ 44/4 after 10 overs; *Commentator’s curse struck causing Maddie Penna to make a slow departure, when bowled ‘beneath her bat’ by Kirstie Gordon – as mentioned above; *Sophia Smale was bowled by Maddy Green; *Jo Gardner was caught at ‘deep-mid-wicket’ by CassidyMcCarthy (gaffed as Kathryn Bryce); *Eva Gray was bowled by Kathryn Bryce; *Two wickets fell during Georgia Elwiss’ death over, when Kate Coppack and Abtaha Maqsood, were each ‘run-out’ from the last two balls. Essex women batting: Jo Gardner22(22), Grace Scrivens19(21), Maddy Penna17(26), Sophia Smale16(20); Blaze bowling Kathryn Bryce 2/11, CassidyMcCarthy 2/22, Kirstie Gordon 1/13, Maddy Green 1/14, Josie Groves 1/14;
The Blaze wearing orange with red splash over black; *skipper Kirstie Gordon *[Lauren Winfield-Hill keeping wicket for Essex]; *with international player Maddy Green (NZ); *without Tammy Beaumont, Amy Jones & Nat Sciver-Brunt (England call-up); *With Kathryn & Sarah Bryce (Scotland); *Georgia Elwiss was caught by keeper Lauren Winfield-Hill’s rolling catch, from Kate Coppack; *Marie Kelly was caught at ‘mid-off’ by Sophia Smale from Esmae MacGregor; *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 45/2 (vs 25/3); *Sarah Bryce was bowled by Esmae MacGregor; *By ‘mid-way’ 74/3 (vs 44/4) after 10 overs; *No further wickets fell; *Kathryn Bryce scored the winning ’six’ to bring up her ’fifty.’ Blaze batting Kathryn Bryce51*not out(51), Sarah Bryce16(15), Maddy Green15*not out((10), Marie Kelly12(8); Essex women bowling Esmae MacGregor 2/28, Kate Coppack 1/20;
*Match result: The Blaze (women) 106/3 (@7.4 runs-per-over from 14.1/20overs/target 105 from 20/20 overs) beat Essex (women) 104/10 (@5.2 r-p-o from 20/20 overs) by seven wickets with 35 balls remaining
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play at url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#mca3ef144-bcb1-4f51-94ee-512a90a96b9f
*BBC Sport @url: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-225301 SKY Sports@url: https://www.skysports.com/cricket/the-blaze-v-essex-women/scorecard/0e5887de-25df-5704-a675-92178099b48e
*Edited highlights free-to-air, courtesy of Derbyshire TV (nv play) via YouTube [03h11m50s] @url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTU4xt5TB6k & Highlights [06m51s] @url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taWFKwlNQN4
*Upcoming League one fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/11/27/vitality-blast-fixtures-for-season-2025/
*Upcoming League two fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/11/27/vitality-cup-league-two-fixtures-for-season-2025/
