Manchester Originals vs Birmingham Phoenix at EMIRATES OLD TRAFFORD on 7 August at 15h00
Damp outfield conditions frequently slowed balls short of scoring ‘four.’ Unlike Phoenix, Originals lacked match-practice with two matches washed-out. ‘The Hundred’ history was made when Originals debutante spinner Fi Morris took 5 Phoenix wickets for 7 runs, scoring the competition’s first 5-fer. Fi Morris was also awarded POTM Meerkat Match Hero. Previously, commentators reported that Marizanne Kapp took 4/9 (Invincibles vs Brave, 2021); and third place was shared between Lauren Bell and Tash Farrant who’d both taken 4/10. Introduced by Nick Knight, with Natalie Germanos (Rep. South Africa), Simon Doull (NZ TV personality) & Dominic Cork (ex England); with guest players Tammy Beaumont (Welsh Fire), Jimmy Anderson & Stuart Broad (England Ashes series.) Match highlights courtesy of Sky Sports (please see below.) Weather at Old Trafford had improved after several day’s rain. ‘Sunny’ with blue sky surrounded by white clouds, cool for August.
BP-W *Skipper Evelyn ‘Eve’ Jones [Originals keeper Ellie Threlkeld] *International players Sophie Devine (NZ), Erin Burns & Tess Flintoff (Australia, WBBL) with Amy Jones, Issy Wong (England) & u-19’s World Cup players Charis Pavely and Hannah Baker. *After 25 balls ‘Power-play,’ Phoenix were 25/0: the second time Phoenix had ‘not lost a wicket’ during their Power-play. *Eve Jones 18(20) found an inside-edge, but was ‘stumped’ by Ellie Threlkeld, from Sophie Ecclestone. *Sophie Devine 27(25) hit ‘slog-sweep’ leg side and was caught at ‘deep-square’ by Fi Morris (on review) from Sophie Ecclestone. *Erin Burns 0(2) was caught behind by Ellie Threlkeld (on review) for a send-ball ‘duck’ from Sophie Ecclestone. *Amy Jones 7(7) went ‘leg before’ to Fi Morris and made a slow departure. *Tess Flintoff 2(6) was caught at ‘long-on’ by Katie George, from Amanda-Jade Wellington (1/16); the ball ’turning away’ from the right-hander. *Emily Arlott 5(7) went plumb ‘leg before,’ ‘middle-and-leg’ to Sophie Ecclestone (4/11.) *Abbey Freeborn 12(11) went ‘leg before,’ ‘cannon-to-middle’ to Fi Morris, *Issy Wong 4(5) was caught ‘in-the-deep’ by Kathryn Bryce from Fi Morris. *Facing a ‘quicker’ ball Hannah Baker 2(3) was bowled by Fi Morris. *At that point, two ‘Originals’ bowlers had taken 4-fers. *Charis Pavely 4(7) went ‘leg before’ to Fi Morris (5/7) chalking-up Fi Morris’ 5-fer and making history. *Katie Levick was 2*not out (3.) *Best Phoenix batter was Sophie Devine 27(25) *Best Original bowler was Fi Morris 5/7.
MO-W *Skipper Sophie Ecclestone *[Phoenix keeper Amy Jones] *International players Laura Wolvaardt (Rep. South Africa), Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia ‘A’ & WBBL) & Deandre Dottin (ex-WIndies); with Sophie Ecclestone and Emma Lamb (England) & Kathryn Bryce (Scotland.) *Debutante Fi Morris. *Emma Lamb 0(1) went for a ‘golden duck,’ caught behind by Amy Jones from Tess Flintoff. *After 25 balls ‘Power-play,’ Originals remained level-pegging on 23/1 [vs 25/0] & 51/1 [vs 52/1] by mid-way. *’Strategic-time-out’ was called after 55 balls, with Originals 61/1 needing 27 runs to win. *Laura Wolvaardt 38(34) went ‘leg before’ to Hannah Baker. *Ami Campbell 28(34) was caught at ‘mid-wicket’ by Abbey Freeborn from Katie Levick. *Deandre Dottin 6(12) was ‘run out’ accidentally by Hannah Baker flicking the return-ball onto the non-striker’s stumps and finding Deandre Dottin out of her crease. *Fi Morris 0(2) went ‘leg before’ (with no reviews left) for a 2nd ball duck, from Katie Levick. *Tension mounted until *Kathryn Bryce 4*not out (8) struck the winning ‘four’ through ‘backward point,’ with one ball remaining. *Skipper Sophie Ecclestone 6*not out (9.) *Best batter Laura Wolvaardt 38(34); *Best Phoenix bowler Katie Levick 2/12.
Match summary: Phoenix got off to a slow start, pinned down by Mahika Gaur, who conceded 5 runs from her first ten deliveries. After the match, Originals’ skipper Sophie Ecclestone added that the ‘Thunder Girls’ hadn’t played since early July, and lauded 17yo Mahika Gaur who’d demonstrated ‘perfect ball movement.’ Excitement mounted inside the commentary box when wo Phoenix bowlers had taken four wickets, and Fi Morris made history by taking five wickets. Awarding Fi Morris POTM Meerkat Match Hero cap-and-medal, Fi Morris told Dominic Cork she was very happy with her performance but was unaware she’d made history. Previously, when Phoenix bowled, commentators became frustrated not to see more use made of ’strike bowlers’ (especially Issy Wong) who could potentially ‘win the match.’ The match reached its climax with Originals losing 2 wickets with 3 balls. With reassurance from her skipper at the non-striker’s end, Kathryn Bryce hit the winning ‘four’ with one ball remaining.
Match result: Manchester Originals Women 91/5 beat Birmingham Phoenix Women 87/10 by five wickets with 1 ball remaining
*Phoenix’s batting 87/10 (from 96/100 balls@0.9 runs-per-ball) Sophie Devine 27(25) Evelyn Jones 18(20), Abbey Freeborn 12(11); *Originals’ bowling: Fi Morris 5/7, Sophie Ecclestone 4/11, Amanda-Jade Wellington 1/16. Fow 1-39, 2-52, 3-52, 4-57, 5-62, 6-74, 7-75, 8-81, 9-83, 10-87.
*Originals’ batting 91/5 (from 99/100 balls@0.9 runs-per-ball) Laura Wolvaardt 38(34), Ami Campbell 28(34); *Phoenix’s bowling: Katie Levick 2/12, Tess Flintoff 1/10, Hannah Baker 1/15; Fow 1-1, 2-69, 3-75, 4-75, 5-85.
*Scorecard courtesy of BBC Sport @URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKE1000726
*Match highlights (6m22s) courtesy of Sky Sports @URL https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/12935655/highlights-fi-morris-records-five-fer-on-debut-to-help-edge-out-birmingham-phoenix
