Northern Diamonds edge home against South East Stars as Sarah Taylor makes Heyhoe Flint Trophy debut

Kirstie White’s 73 off 90 underpinned the Stars’ 250 for 6 before the Diamonds recovered from 70 for five thanks largely to 75 off 106 for Sterre Kalis

Headingley: South East Stars 250-6, Northern Diamonds 251-7 - Northern Diamonds won by three wickets

Scorecard

Sarah Taylor’s return to professional cricket ended in a thrilling Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy victory as Northern Diamonds chased 251 to beat South East Stars by three wickets at Emerald Headingley.

The meeting of the two title hopefuls saw England legend Taylor keep tidily after nearly two years in retirement before making 2 off five balls.

Kirstie White’s 73 off 90 underpinned the Stars’ 250 for 6 before the Diamonds recovered from 70 for 5 thanks largely to 75 off 106 for Sterre Kalis.

The Dutch international, Jenny Gunn and late hero Beth Langston all hit fifties to secure a second win in four games with only four balls to spare. Langston hit the winning runs and finished 59 not out off 53.

The Diamonds lost four wickets for 12 as they slipped from 58 for 1 in the 11th over.

Earlier, White’s 15th career half-century in List A cricket advanced the Stars.

She was supported by a series of valuable contributions, including Aylish Cranstone’s 42 not out.

White set the platform before Cranstone gave the innings late impetus with half-a-dozen boundaries in 31 balls.

The Diamonds dropped three catches of varying difficulty in good batting conditions. The pitch was true and the outfield fast.

Taylor was responsible for the first in the second over of the match when Alice Davidson-Richards edged Phoebe Graham behind on 1.

Taylor, a replacement signing for England’s Lauren Winfield-Hill and injured Bess Heath, went to her right one-handed and could only parry a chance which would have been classed as a stunner.

Gunn struck twice for the Diamonds, but White harnessed power and invention to put Stars in a commanding position.

That position was significantly strengthened inside 14 overs of the chase as the Diamonds slipped to 65 for 4, bringing Taylor in as she prepares for The Hundred. 

England seamer Freya Davies had home captain Hollie Armitage caught behind and Grace Gibbs trapped Rachel Hopkins lbw and had Alex MacDonald caught at cover.

And Taylor only lasted five balls as she was bowled off an under-edge pulling at Dani Gregory’s off-spin - 70 for 5 in the 16th over. 

Like Gibbs, it was the leg-spinner’s second wicket.

Gunn and Kalis confidently rebuilt in a 90 stand, both reaching 50 before Gunn fell to Bryony Smith at 160 for 6 after 36 overs.

Kalis took the target to 44 off six overs before being run out from deep midwicket - 209 for 7 in the 45th over. 

Langston, however, held her nerve to seal a nail-biting success.