Sussex Sharks (women) vs Leicestershire Foxes (women) (match 16 – ‘double-header’ fixture) at The 1st Central County Ground, Hove on 5 June 2026
Thriller with result decided by the final ball. With little to choose between each team, there were many similarities between each innings. No batter scored ‘fifty,’ three batters scoring into double figures; with five single-figure dismissals that included one ‘duck.’ Best Sharks womens batters were Mollie Adams 40(35) and skipper Chaira Green 40*not out(34) either of whom were involved in every partnership. Foxes womens innings followed a similar partnership pattern, with three Sharks bowlers taking two wickets each. The match reached its climax between the penultimate over from Poppy Tulloch, taking one wicket gifting two ‘wides;’ and Tia Stanley who took the match to the final ball. Weather: as elsewhere: mainly blue sky following over-night rain 17C.
Sharks women wearing new colours for 20 overs: sea-blue over black with white numbers *skipper Chaira Green *[Ellen Watson keeping wicket for Foxes]; *with Poppy Tulloch (Hants loan); *Izzy Collis went ‘leg-before’ to Indira Singh; *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 41/1; *Bella Johnson was caught at ‘mid-wicket’ by Indira Singh, from Anjali Ketan; *by ‘mid-way’ (after 10 overs) 62/2; *Mollie Adams was ‘run-out’ from ‘square’ by Becki Brooker’s direct-hit to the striker’s end; *Phoebe Wilkinson was caught aerial at ‘mid-on’ by Flora Davies, from Caitlin Chissell; *Poppy Tulloch was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ with bails sent flying by Caitlin Chissell for a golden ‘duck;’ *Darcey Clarke (2nd appearance) was stumped by Ellen Watson, from Caitlin Chissell; *Talitha ‘Tia’ Stanley was bowled ‘middle-and-off’ bail sent flying by Indira Singh, from the final innings ball; Sharks women batting: Chaira Green 40*not out(34); Mollie Adams 40(35); Izzy Collis 13(19);Foxes women bowling: Caitlin Chisel 3/31(4); Indira Singh 2/17(4); Anjali Ketan 1/23(4);
Foxes women wearing new colours for 20 overs: dark-green shirts with black sleeves, red trim and white numbers over black joggers; skipper Becki Brooker; *[Mollie Adams keeping wicket for Sharks women]; *debutante Emma Wrightson (ex Yorks) *without Laura Crofts, April Herathge, Lucy Higham (Blaze) or Lucy Western; *Becki Brooker was bowled ‘middle-and-leg’ by Poppy Tulloch; *Francesca Sweet was caught at aerial at ‘deep mid-wicket’ by Poppy Tulloch, from Talitha ‘Tia’ Stanley; *Mis-timing a ‘drive,’ Lucy Weston was bowled ‘top-of-middle’ by Chiara Green; *After 6 overs ‘power-play’ 34/3 (vs41/1); *Faith Teekasingh was caught at ‘mid-wicket’ by Chiara Green, from Anna Lewis; *61/4 (vs 62/2) by ‘mid-way’ (after 10 overs); *Ellen Watson was caught at ‘mid-off’ by Chiara Green, from Bella Johnson; *Two balls later when mis-timing a ‘sweep,’ Caitlin Chissell went ‘leg-before’ to Bella Johnson, for a second-ball ‘duck;’ *Ellie M Phillips was ‘run-out’ from ‘long-on’ by Faye Mullins throw relayed by Eve O’Neill to keeper Mollie Adams receiving at the striker’s end; *Indira Singh was bowled ‘middle-and-off’ by Poppy Tulloch; *Flora Davies was caught at ‘deep mid-wicket’ by Bella Johnson, from Talitha ‘Tia’ Stanley; Foxes women batting: Flora Davies 40(36); Ellen Watson 23(17); Faith Teekasingh 15(23); Sharks women bowling: Poppy Tulloch 2/21(4); Bella Johnson. 2/28(4); Talitha ‘Tia’ Stanley 2/32(4); Anna Lewis 1/7(1); Chiara Green 1/26(4);
Match result: Leicestershire Foxes (women) 131/9 (@6.5 runs-per-over /target 131 from 20/20 ov.) beat Sussex Sharks (women) 130/7 (@6.5 r-p-o from 20ov.) by one wicket
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play @url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_scorecard#ce0e985c4-4fca-44be-8960-46856a59f3b0_me5e80000-9b94-4272-cb9f-08de2c26e5f4
*Upcoming League two fixtures 20ov (2026) @url: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/12/17/vitality-blast-league-two-fixtures-for-season-2026-4-of-4/
*Upcoming League two fixtures 50ov (2026) @url: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2026/04/25/metro-bank-one-day-cup-womens-tournament-for-50-overs-league-two-may-update-2026/
Footnote: actual match photo
