The Blaze vs Bears women – (match 3 league one ‘double-header’) – on 30 May 2025; at Nottingham, Trent Bridge on Friday 30 May 2025
Both teams first match became a closely-contested Midlands derby. Bears posted a ‘competitive’ score with Charis Pavely made top-score 46 (from 34 balls) and Katie George scoring 37. Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon (spin) was best bowler 2/26 with Georgia Elwiss (pace) close second taking 2/27. One highlight was a direct-hit by Maddy Green (pictured), to ‘run-out’ star Bears batter Abbey Freeborn. By comparison, scores were level-pegging after six overs power-play, with three wickets advantage for Blaze by mid-way. Blaze’s Georgia Elwiss made top-score 52 (from 38 balls.) High drama struck during Issy Wong’s death over when Sarah Bryce mis-cued her big hit, from the penultimate match ball and was caught aerial at ‘mid-on’ by Georgia Davis. Next (final) ball was bowled ‘wide’ from which a scampered ‘single’ levelled the scores. Match was tied when Maddy Green was’ run-out’ short of bagging a second run. Lead commentator was Mike Taylor (BBC radio WM.) Weather: Weather was cloudy with occasional sunshine 16C
Bears women wearing light blue diamond cheque with yellow trim over dark blue; with yellow helmets and black caps; *Skipper Georgia Davis *[Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for The Blaze] *with international players Laura Harris (Australia) & Sterre Kalis (NL); *Without Emily ‘Em’ Arlott for England call-up; *Amu Surenkumar (Essex loan); *Abbey Freeborn was ‘run-out’ by Maddy Green’s direct-hit, from Grace Ballinger; *Davina Perrin was caught by Georgia Elwiss, from Grace Ballinger; *By 6 overs ‘power-play’ 45/2; *Promoted as ‘pinch-hitter,’ Issy Wong was caught ‘in-the-covers’ by Ella Claridge from Georgia Elwiss; *Next over, mis-timing a ‘square-cut,’ Sterre Kalis was bowled by Kirstie Gordon; *By mid-way (10 overs) 76/4; *Mis-timing a ’sweep,’ Charis Pavely was bowled ‘through-the-gate’ by Kirstie Gordon; *Next over, Laura Harris went aerial, caught at ‘backward-square’ by Grace Ballinger from, Georgia Elwiss; *Four balls later, Amu Surenkumar was bowled ‘middle-stump’ by Kathryn Bryce; *Katie George was ‘run-out’ from the last innings ball, by Mady Green’s throw from ‘deep mid-wicket’ to Sarah Bryce receiving at the striker’s end; Bears women batting: Charis Pavely 46(34), Katie George 37(30), Issy Wong 16(13), Davina Perrin 12(14); The Blaze bowling:Kirstie Gordon 2/26, Georgia Elwiss 2/27, Grace Ballinger 1/18, Kathryn Bryce 1/30;
The Blaze women wearing orange with red splash over black with black helmets and caps; *Skipper Kirstie Gordon *[Abbey Freeborn keeping wicket for Warwickshire]* with international player Maddy Green (NZ);*without Orla Prendergast (Rep. of Ireland ROI); *Michaela Kirk (Rep South Africa); *without Tammy Beaumont, Sarah Glenn, Amy Jones & Nat Sciver-Brunt (England call-up); *With Scottish internationals Kathryn & Sarah Bryce; *Marie Kelly was bowled ‘through-the-gate’ by Amu Surenkumar; *By 6 overs ‘power-play’ 43/1 (vs 45/2) & 72/1 (vs 76/4) by mid-way (10 overs); *Scoring ‘fifty,’ Georgia Elwiss mis-timed a swing, bowled ‘leg-stump’ by Charis Pavely; *Going for the big hit, Sarah Bryce was caught aerial at ‘mid-on’ by Georgia Davis, from Issy Wong’s penultimate match ball;*Finally Maddy Green was’ run-out’ by Sterre Kalis’s throw, when attempting to score the winning run; The Blaze batting: Georgia Elwiss 52(38), Ella Claridge38(53), Sarah Bryce27(18), Josie Groves26(25), Grace Ballinger19*not out 29, Charlotte Phillips 11*not out 13; Bears women bowling: Emily ‘Em’ Arlott 3/39, Georgia Davis 2/46, Hannah Baker 1/38, Issy Wong 1/45;
*Match result: The Blaze (W) 160/4 (@8.0 runs-per-over, from 20 overs) tied with Bears (W) 160/8 (@8.0 r-p-o from 20 overs)
*Scorecard with video highlights, courtesy of ECB via nv play at url: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/?tab=m_summary#m51200778-3599-4e70-98b7-37ff5a02a504
*BBC Sport @url: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/scorecard/e-225292 & SKY Sports@url: https://www.skysports.com/cricket/the-blaze-v-bears-women/scorecard/47c3c75a-8213-59bd-9582-ab31b4ed877f
*Full match free-to-air, courtesy of Trent Bridge (Nottingham CCC & Stoneheart media) via YouTube [03h03m34s] @url: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xfvXSEy0-8
*Upcoming League one fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/11/27/vitality-blast-fixtures-for-season-2025/
*Upcoming League two fixtures @url http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2024/11/27/vitality-cup-league-two-fixtures-for-season-2025/
