Lancashire Thunder vs Birmingham Bears (women) (match 37 league one double-header) at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester on Sunday 6 July 2025
Thunder women chalked-up back-to-back wins this weekend on a ‘slow surface’ at Old Trafford, raising hopes to finish the group stage as ‘one of the top-three.’ On the day, both teams were level-pegging after 6 overs ‘power-play’ [38/0 (vs 39/1).] Earlier, Bears had found themselves ‘in a spot of bother’ by mid-way (50/4). Bears guest Australian Laura Harris stepped-up, scoring a ‘quick-fire’ 21 from 13 balls, partnered by Katie George [30*not out(33)] who went on to make Bears’ top-score. Thunder’s reply breezed past 100, as Emma Lamb took centre-stage, with two key partnerships (the first with Eve Jones, followed by Tilly Kesteven.) Tables-were-turned when Bears debutante bowler Phoebe Brett took two wickets with four balls, but no further wickets fell. Without scoreboard pressure to chase down seventeen runs needed to win the match, Thunder skipper Ellie Threlkeld scored the winning ’single’ for Thunder’s ‘convincing’ seven wickets win. Commentators lauded both teams for an entertaining match with ‘exceptional fielding.’ Commentators were Mike Perkins (Sports journalist, Lancs TV) with Polly Starkie (Social media co-host ‘Noughtie Child Podcast’ and ‘HerGameToo’ cricket ambassador.) Also with Scott Reid (Sports journalist, BBC Sport.) Weather was fine with patches of blue sky.
Bears women wearing ’sky’ blue diamond cheque with yellow trim over dark blue; with yellow helmets and black caps; *skipper Georgia Davis *[Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder] *debutante Phoebe Brett, *with international players Laura Harris (Australia) & Sterre Kalis (NL); *Without Emily ‘Em’ Arlott, Hannah Baker, or Davina Perrin for England/‘A’ call-up; *also without Abbey Freeborn; *Meg Austin was caught at ‘long-on’ by Tara Norris running round, from Kate Cross; *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 39/1; *Issy Wong caught at ‘point’ by Phoebe Graham, from Alana King; *Sterre Kalis lobbed a ‘dolly,’ easily caught at ‘mid-off’ by Tara Norris from, Phoebe Graham; *Top-scorer Nat Wraith was caught aerial at ‘backward point’ by Eve Jones, from Darcey Carter; *After 10 overs, 50/4; *Mis-timing a ‘sweep,’ Laura Harris was bowled through-the-gate by Sophie Morris; *Also mis-timing a ‘sweep,’ Amu Surenkumar was bowled by Alana King; *Millie Taylor was ‘run-out’ by Eve Jones direct hit from ‘mid-off;’ Bears batting: Katie George30*not out(33), Meg Austin29(23), Laura Harris21(13), Millie Taylor11(12); Thunder bowling: Alana King 2/16, Darcey Carter 1/7, Phoebe Graham 1/23, Kate Cross 1/25, Sophie Morris 1/26;
Thunder women wearing rose-red with thin dark blue shards; *skipper Ellie Threlkeld; *[Nat Wraith keeping wicket for Bears]; *debutante Darcey Carter, *International player Alana King (Australia); *with Ailsa Lister(Scotland) *with Kate Cross, Tilly Kesteven and Eve Jones; *Eve Jones was stumped ‘off-guard’ by Nat Wraith, from Millie Taylor; *Level-pegging after 6 overs ‘power-play’ 38/0 (vs 39/1); *After 10 overs, 63/1 (vs 50/4); *Mis-timing a ‘square-cut,’ Tilly Kesteven was bowled by left-armed Phoebe Brett; *Ailsa Lister was bowled by Phoebe Brett coming round-the-wicket; Emma Lamb carried her bat; Thunder women batting:Emma Lamb60*not out(48), Tilly Kesteven25(29), Eve Jones23(23); Bears bowling: Phoebe Brett 2/15; Millie Taylor 1/30;
Match result: Lancashire Thunder (women) 124/3 (@6.7 runs-per-over from 18.3/20overs target 124 from 20 overs) beat Birmingham Bears (women) 123/7 (@6.1 r-p-o from 20/20 overs;) by seven wickets with nine balls remaining
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play at url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m859b8091-ebfa-439a-94ba-95317ddc458f
*BBC Sport @url:https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-225326 & SKY Sports@url: https://www.skysports.com/cricket/lancashire-thunder-v-bears-women/scorecard/8388a91b-e55c-5b21-9c3d-f3db85e383eb
*Full match free-to-air, courtesy of Lancashire Cricket TV via YouTube [03h06m40s] @url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCeqfBAOFcY
*Upcoming League one fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/06/22/vitality-blast-league-one-fixtures-and-results-to-june-2025/
*Upcoming League two fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/07/02/vitality-cup-league-two-fixtures-for-season-2025-2/
