Oval Invincibles vs London Spirit, at The Kia Oval (London South) on 15 August 2023.
With both sides needing to bag valuable winning points to stay in the tournament, there was an air of optimism among 11,000 spectators for the London-Derby. Before the match, double-defending champions skipper Suzie Bates told SKY TV she’d been ‘a bit short’ on runs. Marizanne Kapp was also ‘short on runs’ but is joint-second with Shabnim Ismail (9 wickets); to Georgia Adams’ first-place on the bowler’s leading-wicket-taker’s leaderboard. During the match, Heather Knight’s ‘Spirit’ posted a ‘half-decent’ score, boosted by batter-turned-bowler Lauren Filer who hit 12 runs from ‘Spirit’s’ last 3 balls, partnered by Tara Norris. When bowling, POTM Meerkat Match Hero Tara Norris claimed wickets of ‘Invincibles’ in-form batters (Lauren Winfield-Hill & Paige Scholfield.) Commentators lauded Heather Knight for ‘using her experience’ to ensure that ‘Invincibles’ made an equally cautious start to that of her own team, and ‘applied great pressure’ to ‘close-down the game.’ ‘Spirit’s’ first win was said to dent ‘Invincibles’ aspirations to qualify in the top three to defend their title. Introduced by Ebony Rainford-Brent MBE, Director of Women’s cricket at Surrey. Also with Eoin Morgan, Mike Atherton (former England players); & James ‘Jimmy’ Anderson & Kate Cross (Ashes series.) Match highlights courtesy of Sky Sports (please see below.) Weather at Kennington was sunny with cumulus clouds, but colder than average for mid-August.
LS-W *Skipper Heather Knight. *[Lauren Winfield-Hill keeping wicket for Invincibles] *International players Richa Ghosh (India), Grace Harris (Australia WBBL) Amelia Kerr (NZ); plus Tara Norris (US.) *England’s Heather Knight, Charlie Dean, Sarah Glenn, Dani Gibson (pictured); England ‘A’ Lauren Filer *Including U19’s Niamh Holland & Alice Monaghan; without Grace Scrivens. *Niamh Holland 0(2) was bowled ‘off-stump’ by Marizanne Kapp for a second-ball ‘duck’. *Heather Knight 10(12) was caught-and-bowled by Marizanne Kapp, low-down on follow-through *Grace Harris 1(1) was ‘run-out’(by Ryana Macdonald-Gay) ‘a needless ‘run-out,’ stranded arriving at the non-striker’s end, an “utter mix-up,” going for her second-run. Dani Gibson gained-a-life when Alice Capsey missed the stumps, for an otherwise certain ‘run out’ *After 25 balls ‘Power-play’ ‘Spirit’ were 31/3 *Amelia Kerr 9(8) was clean-bowled top-of-middle by Ryana Macdonald-Gay *Danielle ‘Dani’ Gibson 22(14), was caught-and-bowled by Sophia Smale – said to be a ‘big moment.’ *By mid-way, ’Spirit’ were 53/6, and it was ‘up to the bowlers, to step-up.’ *Richa Ghosh 2(10) was caught by Ryana Macdonald-Gay from Sophia Smale *Charlie Dean 13(11), chipped straight to ‘cover,’ caught by Suzie Bates from Mady Villiers *Sarah Glenn 17(16), was caught by Paige Scholfield’s dive from Ryana Macdonald-Gay*Upon review, with ‘hope rather than expectation,’ Alice Monaghan 0(2) went plumb ’leg before’ to Mady Villiers for a second-ball ‘duck’. *New 10th wicket partnership (31 runs from 22 balls) was set by Tara Norris [11*not out(13)] & *Lauren Filer [21*not out 13.] *Best ’Spirit’ batter was Dani Gibson 22(14); *Best ‘Invincibles’ bowler was Sophia Smale 2/15.
OI-W *Skipper Suzie Bates *[Spirit keeper Richa Ghosh] *International players Marizanne Kapp (Rep. South Africa) Suzie Bates ex-skipper NZ with Alice Capsey (England); Paige Scholfield, Mady Villiers & Ryana Macdonald-Gay (England ‘A’) Lauren Winfield-Hill (ex England keeper); Also Cordelia Griffith (England u-19’s) & Kira Chathli. Without Dane vanNiekerk & Katie George. *Lauren Winfield-Hill 3(9) was caught by Amelia Kerr from Tara Norris. *Alice Capsey 11(6), was caught by Grace Harris from Amelia Kerr. *Suzie Bates 24(35), was caught by Lauren Filer from Charlie Dean. *At mid-way, ‘Invincibles’ were 43/2 (vs 53/6) needing 76 runs from 50 balls remaining. *’Strategic-time-out’ was called on 61/2 after 65 balls, with ‘Invincibles’ needing 58 from 35 balls remaining. *Paige Scholfield 2(3), was caught ‘nonchalantly’ by Grace Harris from Tara Norris (2/19) *Marizanne Kapp 30(24), steepled a vertical catch, caught by keeper Richa Ghosh from Sarah Glenn (1/20) *Cordelia Griffith 7(4) was ‘run-out’ by Niamh Holland. *Kira Chathli 1(3) was caught by Richa Ghosh from Charlie Dean (2/20) from a slower ‘loopy’ delivery *Mady Villiers 11(10) was ‘run-out’ by Dani Gibson. *Eva Gray 0(1) was bowled by Amelia Kerr. *Ryana Macdonald-Gay 2(3) was caught-and-bowled by Amelia Kerr (3/16.) *Sophia Smale was 5*not out (2.) *Best ‘Invincibles’ batter was Marizanne Kapp 30(24); *Best ’Spirit’ bowler was Amelia Kerr 3/16.
Match summary Mid-way through the match, commentator Mike Atherton urged ‘Invincibles’ to ‘get a move on,’ with 4 wickets advantage; but falling behind with the required-run-rate. Summing-up, Commentators added that it was the second time that ‘Invincibles’ had been bowled-out for less than 100 runs. By comparison, both teams made an equally cautious start and lost wickets during the latter stage of their innings. Where Spirit’s’ last-wicket partnership added what-turned-out-to-be 21 winning runs (scored between bowlers-turned-batters Tara Norris and Lauren Filer); ‘Invincibles’ lost 3 wickets from Amelia Kerr’s (3/16) last set-of-five, by which time the match had become a lost-cause. Both teams were said to have an ‘uphill battle’ to stay in the tournament beyond the group stage.’ ‘Invincibles’ 5 points (2 wins); ‘Spirit’ 4 points (1 win) with a game-in-hand (at the time of writing.)
Match result: London Spirit Women: 118/9 beat Oval Invincibles by 97/10 by 21 runs
*Spirit’s batting: 118/9 (from 100 balls @1.2 runs-per-ball); Danielle ‘Dani’ Gibson 22(14), Lauren Filer 21*not out (13), Sarah Glenn 17(16), Charlie Dean 13(11), Tara Norris 11(13), Heather Knight 10(12); *Invincibles’ bowling: Sophia Smale 2/15, Marizanne Kapp 2/13, Mady Villiers 2/20, Ryana Macdonald-Gay 2/25; *Fow 1-0, 2-15, 3-16, 4-31, 5-52, 6-53, 7-84, 8-84, 9-87.
*Invincibles’ batting: 97/10 (from 100 balls @1.0 runs-per-ball); Marizanne Kapp 30(24), Suzie Bates 24(35), Alice Capsey 11(6), Mady Villiers 11(10); *Spirit’s bowling: Amelia Kerr 3/16, Tara Norris 2/19, Charlie Dean 2/20, Sarah Glenn 1/20; *Fow 1-7, 2-25, 3-64, 4-69, 5-72, 6-82, 7-85, 8-92, 9-92, 10-97.
*Scorecard courtesy of BBC Sport @URL https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/ECKE1000737
*Match highlights courtesy of Sky Sports https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/cricket/12940718/highlights-london-spirit-get-their-first-win-of-the-season-over-rivals-oval-invincibles
