The CE Cup resumed with four matches offering spectators 40 deliveries more to enjoy than the previous tournament.
Sparks produced the big shock, beating Vipers away from home at Hove (scores below). On a road of a track the bowlers had a disheartening task trying to dislodge talented batters. Georgia Adams showed the way once more, batting all through to post 88 not out off 60 balls. Charlie Dean kept her useful company with 31 in the middle stages.
This looked like the usual shut-out performance by that strong Vipers batting line-up. Only Emma Lamb and Thunder had achieved a higher total thus far.
But Sparks’ openers, Eve Jones and Marie Kelly, had other ideas. A vaunted bowling attack of Charlotte Taylor, Lauren Bell, Tara Norris, Charlie Dean and Georgia Elwiss could only stand a stare as they were hit all around the ground. And it’s a tiring business when you face a left-hand, right-hand combination.
If you want to know how to score a century inside 20 overs, here is your free tuition offer. You take two quick paces to the off-side as the bowler brings her arm over; you then heave the ball to the leg-side for 4 or occasionally 1 or 2. Easy. If the bowler grows wise to your tricks, you take two smart paces in the other direction and release the ball for 4 through the off-side.
This was Kelly’s method and it worked. The pair put on 137 in 15 overs before Jones was well taken by Bell at short fine off Dean (51 off 47). She was happy to watch her partner do the job, and Kelly reached a momentous 100 off just six more deliveries (18 fours, 1 six, 53 balls).
But those last few runs came amid high drama. As is common in the short-form game, three wickets now fell in a clatter, Milly Home, Gwen Davies and Thea Brookes scoring two runs between them. The overs were running out and Sparks had two targets: to secure a much needed win and to see Kelly home to her hundred. But she had to get on strike. Every time the other batter scored a run, you could give a little groan. Ria Fackrell was her last partner: she scored a run (oh dear!) and Kelly still needed four.
To the last ball of the 19th over she swiped her eighteenth big four to the leg-side boundary and the deed was done. She become the second batter to achieve this feat after Lamb’s 111* for Thunder.
SE Stars v Lightning at Guildford CC
Lightning were left still hunting for their first points of the tournament as Stars posted a confident 175-6, the second highest so far and 13 bigger than that Hove total.
Unlike Sparks, Stars exploited their batting strength way down the order; six of them registered scoring rates between 128 and 194. That 194 belonged to Tash Farrant, the skipper, who joined Alice Davidson-Richards to ensure a decent start wasn’t wasted. She hit 35 off 18 while AD-R (41*) combined big hits with simple singles to keep the attack at bay.
Alice Capsey once more made batting look a supremely simple matter. She judges every ball on its merits and reacts accordingly. But for her those deliveries hold less menace than for most of us. She played a delightful range of shots from a sumptuous straight drive to neat deflections.
It was a big surprise when she misread a ball from Lucy Higham and was bowled for 38 (4 fours, 1 six, 28 balls).
Abbey Freeborn took over the gloves from the absent Sarah Bryce and produced four fine stumpings. To them she added a vital 61 (9 fours, 1 six) in Lightning’s reply. This performance helps to show why she was picked for England A in the opening fixture of the New Zealand tour last week.
And Bryce’s absence raises the question of availability. Not only were the Scottish girls away on more serious business – there’s a European Championship taking place – but only certain England players were on view this Wednesday. Some of the nation’s most luminous names were missing from roll-call. But only some.
Results
Northern Diamonds 120-6; Sunrisers 101-7
SE Stars 175-6; Lightning 147-7
Southern Vipers 162-4; Sparks 163-4
Thunder 100-9; Western Storm 101-3
Tables after 4 rounds:
Group A W L Pts
Southern Vipers 3 1 15
SE Stars 3 1 13
Central Sparks 2 2 8
Lightning 0 0 0
Group B
Northern Diamonds 3 1 12
Thunder 2 2 9
Western Storm 2 2 9
Sunrisers 1 3 4
Round 5 takes place next Saturday
Afterthought
Spectators at Woodbridge Road wondered why there were no PA announcements, no team-sheets or programme. They might also wonder why there was free entry.
Charging gate money involves a lot of related issues, not least, how do you apportion the takings? But after a tournament asking £30 per head, it seems strange that the same players can be viewed the following week free of charge.
