Central Sparks vs The Blaze at Derby on 22 June 2024 A carbon-copy result from the dress-rehearsal four days beforehand saw Sparks chalk-up the same total, plus one run. Blaze beat Sparks by the same margin of five wickets, with Josie Groves (England u19s) playing a valuable role not only by stepping-up ‘as asked’ in place of
Central Sparks vs Southern Vipers Worcester, New Road on 16 June 2024 at 10h30 ‘Nothing to lose’ with both teams qualified for finals day (Sparks qualified 3rd; Vipers 4th); and Vipers ‘beefed-up’ by their full complement of England players. Remarkably, Sparks put in a match-winning performance, not only from their bowlers, four of whom took
Central Sparks vs Lancashire Thunder at Birmingham, Edgbaston on 14 June 2024 at 14h00 (‘Friday Night Lights’ double-header) Billed as a ‘big Thunder clash,’ as recently as 8 June, Sparks were beaten by Thunder at Old Trafford and were said to be ‘in a really good position’ to qualify for finals day. By contrast, home team commentators saw the
South East Stars vs Central Sparks at Canterbury (The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence) on 9 June 2024 at 11h00 double-header Sparks seamer Emily Arlott (pictured) heroics with bat-and-ball not only took a hat-trick, but also bowled a ‘4-fer’ and scored the winning ‘four’ with her bat. Sparks bounced back from their previous defeat, to raise doubts
Central Sparks vs Northern Diamonds at Edgbaston, Birmingham on 8 June 2024 (11h30) Diamonds opened their account with their first win-to-date from six-rounds played so far. With three wins, Sparks suffered their third defeat. Playing a skipper’s ‘knock,’ only the Diamonds’ skipper scored ‘fifty.’ Hollie Armitage also made top-score [62 runs (from 49 balls)] in a match-winning partnership with Dutch
The Blaze vs Central Sparks at Trent Bridge on 31 May 2024 at 14h30 (double-header) Billed as a ‘top-of-table’ clash, Blaze’s fourth straight win toppled Sparks from their pole position. Commentators lauded their home team for a ‘convincing victory,’ twice nominating Blaze’s Kathryn Bryce for player-of-the-match: as the only batter to have found the ‘measure
Lancashire Thunder vs Central Sparks at Emirates Old Trafford on 30 May 2024 at 14h30 (double-header) ‘Lancs TV’ commentators witnessed an ‘upset,’ albeit with home-team enthusiasm when Thunder ‘narrowed the gap’ needed to qualify for the next stage. Sparks previously looked certain of bagging their place in the finals, as they stood unbeaten at the
Northern Diamonds vs Central Sparks at Leeds (Headingley Stadium) on 27 May 2024 at 14h30 (delayed start) Yet to open their account, Diamonds faced top-of-table Sparks in a rain-affected match. That started around two hours late and was reduced to 11 overs per side. Batting first, the hosts took ‘big swings’ without reward and ‘lost
Western Storm vs Central Sparks at Taunton on 22 May 2024 at 18h30 (night match) Sparks second straight win set Storm an achievable target, but despite best efforts, top-scorer (England’s) Dani Gibson said afterwards that it was a ‘frustrating’ night, both with bat-and-ball. Just after Sparks’ power-play, Fran Wilson (fielding) left the field for concussion, replaced on the scorecard by
Central Sparks vs Sunrisers at Worcester (New Road) on 19 May 2024 at 14h30 Scene was set for Worcester’s first match staged after an exceptionally wet Spring, between the last year’s trailing pair of teams who finished in 7th & 8th place. Sunrisers awarded Jo Gardner her 50th cap. Veteran Kia super-league winner (twice) Lissy
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