History was made at Headingley, during a Northern derby and thirteenth women’s match of ‘The Hundred.’ POTM Match-hero Laura Wolvaardt’s made highest score (90*not out); chasing down a target of 161 runs, the highest ever run chase in the women’s tournament, with one ball to spare. Speaking afterwards to Dominic Cork who congratulated her on a ‘great innings,’ Wolvaardt said she ‘had to keep going’ and ‘had a swing’ at the end. Winning skipper Hollie Armitage told Lydia Greenway that Wolvaardt’s innings was ‘phenomenal.’ Armitage also commended the quality of players coming through from domestic women’s cricket. Match was broadcast via SKY Sports YouTube channel – please see below – with commentators: Charles Dagnall, Lydia Greenway, Lisa Sthalekar (Australia), Daren Sammy (WIndies), Ravi Shastri (India) and Dominic Cork. Also BBC 5LSX, ESPN-cric-info and other social media. Weather was cooler, sunny with blue sky and high cloud 15-20C.
Originals innings
Originals unchanged. *After 25 balls power play, Originals were 34/0. South Africa’s Lizelle Lee 40(27) who hit 7 ‘fours’ and 1 ‘six’ nicked a top-edge skyward, caught vertically by keeper Alyssa Healy from Katie Levick’s spin. *Emma Lamb 14(14) was caught by Alice Davidson-Richards with a gymnastic roll to her feet, still clutching the ball, from Heather Graham’s first ball. *Midway, Originals scored 64/2. *Ami Campbell was ‘run-out’ by Alyssa Healy, said to be a ‘terrible’ dismissal during a ‘momentary lack of concentration’ as Healy ‘giggled’ mischievously when hitting the stumps. *Deandre Dottin was the stand-out batter with 5 ‘fours’ and 6 ’sixes’ – making top women’s score for Headingley (68*not out.) *Commentators mentioned that 69 runs were scored from the last 25 deliveries, and that Originals should have ‘confidence to defend that total.’
Superchargers innings
New recruit, seam bowler Rachel Slater (pictured) replaced Beth Langston (injured during last match.) Heather Graham (from Australia Women’s Big Bash League WBBL) exchanged for Jemimah Rodrigues (India)/Gaby Lewis (Ireland) with substitute fielder Laura Jackson. *Australia’s Alyssa Healy 25(18) who hit 6 ‘fours’ was caught from a leading edge by Lea Tahuhu (NZ) at mid-off, from Kate Cross. *After 25 balls power play, Superchargers were 34/1 (vs 34/0.) *Bess Heath 3(5) was short-lived, diving whilst crossed the crease horizontally, but run out by Sophie Ecclestone. *Heath’s grounded bat ‘bounced-up’ from the turf at the wrong moment. *At mid-way, 72/2 (vs 64/2): 89 runs needed from 50 balls remaining. TV statisticians forecast Originals to win with 96% certainty. *Strategic time-out was taken with drinks on 100/2 with 30 balls remaining. *When skipper Hollie Armitage 24(20) who hit 3 ‘fours’ was clean-bowled by Emma Lamb, 76 runs were needed from 24 balls. *South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt hit out for a ‘grandstand’ finish. Wolvaardt also set a new top women’s score for Headingley with 13 ’fours’ and 2 ’sixes:’ 90*not out (from 49 balls.)
Summary
Superchargers faced six fewer ‘dot’ balls and won by 7 wickets. For Originals, Lizelle Lee (South Africa) posted 40 and Deandre Dottin (WIndies) posted 68* not out, in her last game according to Daren Sammy, before she returns to Barbados. With neck-and-neck scores until 75 balls, commentators reminded viewers that 69 runs came from Originals’ last 25 balls. TV pundit’s forecasts were proved completely wrong by Superchargers’ reply. A ’stunning’ game of cricket unfolded as Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) posted 90*not out with support from Heather Graham (from Australia’s WBBL) who posted 11*(9). That saw Superchargers across-the-line for a memorable win. Superchargers are 5th-placed in the tournament on 4 points; Originals placed 6th (2 points from one win.)
Result: Northern Superchargers Women 164-3 beat Manchester Originals Women 160-3 by 7 wickets (with one ball remaining)
Originals batting: 160-3 (100 balls, 1.60 runs-per-ball) Deandre Dottin 68*(30), Lizelle Lee 40(27), Sophie Ecclestone 24*(17), Emma Lamb 14(14); Superchargers bowling: Katie Levick 1/21, Heather Graham 1/30; Fow 1-57, 2-63, 3-86.
Superchargers batting: 164-3 (99/100 balls, 1.64 runs-per-ball, target 161/100 balls) Laura Wolvaardt 90*(49), Alyssa Healy 25(18), Hollie Armitage 24(20), Heather Graham 11*(9); Originals bowling: Emma Lamb 1/23, Kate Cross 1/26; Fow 1-34, 2-50, 3-106.
Scorecard & Statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2022-1299144/northern-superchargers-women-vs-manchester-originals-women-13th-match-1299157/full-scorecard
Match highlights free-to-air from SKY Sports YouTube [07m21] at URL: https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/12678766/laura-wolvaardt-leads-northern-superchargers-to-win-over-manchester-originals
Match video free-to-air from SKY Sports YouTube [31m39/03h27m25s] at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2Z4Bw3E7Ms
