September 5, 2024

Kira Chathli and Alice Davidson-Richards Lead South East Stars to Near-Semi-Final Spot

Fourth-Wicket Stand Seals 20-Run Win for South East Stars

South East Stars secured a crucial 20-run victory over Central Sparks, moving closer to a semi-final spot in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

At Moseley, Stars, batting first, posted a substantial total of 270 in 49.5 overs. This was thanks to a crucial fourth-wicket partnership of 127 runs between Kira Chathli (80) and Alice Davidson-Richards (70). Central Sparks’ bowlers, Katie George and Charis Pavely, took four and three wickets, respectively, but couldn’t prevent Stars from reaching their total.

In response, Central Sparks struggled early but fought back through notable innings from Davina Perrin (50), Chloe Brewer (54), and Bethan Ellis (57). Despite their efforts, they fell short, ending at 250 for 9.

With this win, South East Stars are on the brink of qualifying for the semi-finals. On Saturday, they must win their final group match against Northern Diamonds at Chester-le-Street. If they lose and the Sunrisers win with a bonus point against Southern Vipers, the Stars might miss out on the top four.

South East Stars’ Innings and Central Sparks’ Chase

South East Stars, batting first, faced early trouble when they lost a wicket to the 12th ball of the innings. Cloe Hill was dismissed by Katie George’s delivery. Alexa Stonehouse and Phoebe Franklin added 70 runs in 14 overs before both fell quickly. Franklin, trying for her seventh four, was caught by Bethan Ellis, and Stonehouse was bowled by Charis Pavely shortly after.

Kira Chathli and Alice Davidson-Richards then stabilized the innings with a solid partnership. Davidson-Richards hit two straight sixes, and the pair struck 14 fours, putting Stars in a strong position. However, Katie George halted their progress with three quick wickets. She had Davidson-Richards caught at mid-wicket, then quickly dismissed Aylish Cranstone and Emma Jones. Chathli’s innings ended when she was caught by Grace Potts, but Priyanaz Chatterji added a valuable 17 runs off 18 balls.

Central Sparks, missing captain Eve Jones, who is on loan to Thunder, struggled early, losing four wickets in the first 13 overs. Tilly Corteen-Coleman, a 17-year-old slow left-arm bowler, dismissed openers Ami Campbell and Meg Austin. At the same time, Abi Freeborn and Katie George also fell quickly.

Davina Perrin scored a quick half-century but was out on the next ball, caught by Danielle Gregory. With Sparks at 104 for 5, Chloe Brewer and Bethan Ellis built a partnership, bringing the target within reach. Brewer scored her maiden half-century but was out after top-edging a delivery from Stonehouse. Pavely and Ellis continued the fight, needing 32 runs from the last three overs. However, Pavely was run out, and Stonehouse bowled Ellis, ending Sparks’ chase.

Rachel Slater drives Diamonds to home semi-final from No. 11

Northern Diamonds narrowly defeated the reigning champions, Southern Vipers, by one run in a dramatic finish at Headingley. Chasing 241, Diamonds reached 241 for 9, with No. 11 Rachel Slater hitting the winning two runs to long-on on the last ball, securing a home semi-final spot in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

Diamonds were in trouble at 216 for 9 after 46.5 overs. Still, a crucial partnership between Katie Levick and Rachel Slater, who scored 13 and 18 not out, respectively, saw them over the line. Georgia Adams, the Vipers’ captain, was outstanding with both bat and ball, scoring 57 and taking four wickets for 26 runs.

Vipers’ innings centered around Adams’ patient 82-ball knock. She was supported by Ella McCaughan, Georgia Elwiss, Emily Windsor, and Naomi Dattani, each contributing scores in the thirties. Despite a steady and determined batting effort, the Vipers couldn’t defend their total as the Diamonds made a thrilling comeback in the final over.

Scotland’s Slater and Levick Lead Diamonds to Victory

A spectacular diving catch by Abi Glen in the covers helped Scotland seamer Rachel Slater dismiss Rhianna Southby. At the same time, Katie Levick removed the other opener, Ella McCaughan, for 30.

Georgia Adams and Georgia Elwiss then steadied the innings with a solid partnership of 76 runs in 18 overs. Adams scored a well-placed 74-ball fifty, hitting all six of her boundaries through the off-side, while Elwiss contributed 31. However, their partnership ended as part of a collapse where three wickets fell for 30 runs, reducing the score from 126 for 2 to 156 for 5.

Adams was bowled trying to cut a ball too close to her, Elwiss was run out by a direct hit from mid-off, and Abi Norgrove was run out after slipping while attempting a sweep shot.

Three Vipers players, including loan signing Naomi Dattani, were run out in the final over. Dattani, on loan from Lancashire Thunder, hit the only six of the innings off Phoebe Turner. Turner had previously bowled Dattani out in a match on Sunday. Still, she only claimed one wicket today, with Levick taking the lead in the bowling attack.

Diamonds Edge Vipers in Nail-Biting Finish

After dismissing Ella McCaughan and Georgia Adams, Katie Levick made a crucial breakthrough by ending a 47-run stand between Naomi Dattani and Emily Windsor, stumping Windsor and leaving the score at 203 for 6 in the 45th over.

In their chase, Northern Diamonds lost stand-in captain Lauren Winfield-Hill early, caught by Adams at mid-on, reducing the score to 5 for 1. However, Emma Marlow and Rebecca Duckworth steadied the innings with a solid 91-run partnership. Duckworth scored her first regional fifty, and Marlow hit her second, off 71 and 81 balls, respectively.

Both batsmen fell shortly after reaching their milestones. Diamonds lost three wickets for 26 runs in seven overs, leaving them at 122 for 4 in the 32nd over. Duckworth and Sterre Kalis were dismissed lbw by Adams, and Marlow was bowled by Georgia Elwiss.

Australian all-rounder Erin Burns contributed 31 runs but was out when she sliced Rebecca Tyson’s delivery to short third man. Tyson also dismissed Phoebe Turner and Abi Glen. At the same time, Katherine Fraser was bowled by Adams and Sophia Turner by Freya Davies.

Rachel Slater and Katie Levick then led the chase, with Slater hitting a crucial four through cover with three balls left and sealing the victory with the winning two runs to long-on.