South East Stars vs Lancashire Thunder at Beckenham, Kent (The County Ground Kent) at 14h30
Stars made a strong start with their first home win of this year’s t20 season, following a back-to-back win away to Storm; only a few days ago. Although Thunder’s batters also made a strong start, only their top-three batters posted double figures (Emma Lamb, Seren Smale and Fi Morris.) With Stars trailing by 15-20 runs by mid-way, Paige Scholfield (pictured) put in a match-winning batting performance with a career-best t20 score [73*not out (from 39 balls).] Crucial partnership with Alice-Davidson-Richards added 67 runs; another 48 runs added with Aylish Cranstone. Commentators who were Mike McCann with Jamie Reid (Sports journalists) added that Thunder bowlers became ‘expensive,’ especially when hit by Paige Scholfield for consecutive ‘fours.’ That turned around what had looked like an impossible run-chase, into a winning position; by a comfortable margin of four overs. Weather was overcast, dry, with dense cumulus clouds 16-20C.
*Thunder’s innings: skipper Ellie Threlkeld; with Emma Lamb (England), Seren Smale (England ‘A’), Ailsa Lister (Scotland), *Also with Danielle ‘Danni’ Collins, Phoebe Graham, Hannah Jones & Tara Norris replacing Naomi Dattani, Mahika Gaur, Georgia Voll (Australia big-bash – injured, but seen spectating); *Kate Cross rested. *After 6 overs power-play, 53/0; *Top-scorer Fi Morris was caught aerial short of ‘fifty’ at ‘mid-off’ by Bryony Smith, from Kalea Moore; *By mid-way, 84/1; *Emma Lamb was bowled between ‘middle-and-leg’ by Dani Gregory; *Ellie Threlkeld went plumb ‘leg before’ to Ryana MacDonald-Gay; *Remaining batters made single-figures; *Danni Collins was ‘run out’ by Bryony Smith’s direct-hit to the non-striker’s end, from Dani Gregory; *Ailsa Lister was caught at ‘deep square’ by Kalea Moore from Tash Farrant; *During the penultimate over, Seren Smale 37(32) was caught-and-bowled aerial, by Tash Farrant; *Tara Norris was ‘run out’ by Kalea Moore’s throw to keeper Chloe Hill, from Alice-Davidson-Richards’ final ball; *Thunder’s batting: Fi Morris 41(27), Seren Smale 37(32), Emma Lamb 36(33); *Stars’ bowling: Tash Farrant 2/17, Kalea Moore 1/14, Ryana MacDonald-Gay 1/23 Danielle ‘Dani’ Gregory 1/27;
*Stars’ innings *skipper Bryony Smith, Ryana MacDonald-Gay & Paige Scholfield (England ‘A’); with Alice-Davidson-Richards, Sophia Dunkley & Tash Farrant (England); Also with Phoebe Franklin, Danielle ‘Dani’ Gregory & Kalea Moore; *Without Tazmin Brits (Rep. South Africa, injured) *Without England’s Alice Capsey (rested); *Kira Chathli (injured) [*Ellie Threlkeld keeping wicket for Thunder] *Bryony Smith was caught aerial at ‘mid-on’ by Laura Jackson, from Tara Norris; *After 6 overs power-play, 44/1 (vs 53/0);*Sophia Dunkley was caught aerial at deep ‘cover’ by Liberty ‘Libby’ Heap, from Phoebe Graham; *Tash Farrant was caught at ‘deep-square’ by Fi Morris, from Hannah Jones; *By mid-way, 68/4 (vs 84/1); *Alice-Davidson-Richards was caught-and-bowled stretching high to her left, by Fi Morris *Phoebe Franklin was ‘run-out’ by by Emma Lamb’s throw to keeper Ellie Threlkeld, from Fi Morris; *Paige Scholfield made an undefeated t20 career-best score; *Stars’ batting: Paige Scholfield 73*not out (39), Alice-Davidson-Richards 43(31), Sophia Dunkley 11(12); *Thunder’s bowling: Tara Norris 1/13, Fi Morris 1/25, Hannah Jones 1/26, Phoebe Graham 1/32;
*Match result: South East Stars 140/5 (8.7 runs-per-over, 16/20overs; target 140 from 20 overs) 4 points beat Lancashire Thunder (6.9 rpo, 20/20overs) 139/7 by five wickets with 24 balls remaining.
*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/charlotte-edwards-cup/match-centre/104378#scorecard
*Video highlights courtesy of NV Play https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#v5049c897-ba8a-4b54-a636-578c35a91b82
*Match free-to-air courtesy of South East Stars (via NV Play) on YouTube<03h00m54s> @URL https://www.youtube.com/live/z34Hq79ehM8
