Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy roundup: Career best figures for Villiers and Cross inspire Sunrisers and Thunder wins

The Cricketer reviews the best of the action from the latest round of the 50-over competition in 2024

ECB Reporters Network | 26/08/2024 at 17:10

Chelmsford: Northern Diamonds 188-9, Sunrisers 189-7 - Sunrisers win by 3 wickets

Mady Villiers equalled her career-best with the ball as Sunrisers beat high-flying Northern Diamonds by three wickets at Chelmsford to move third in the table.

Villiers, who turned 26 today, produced spin wizardry to take 4 for 36 and with Sophie Munro 3 for 25 lending valuable support as Diamonds were restricted to 188 for 9.

Grace Scrivens' 56 led the chase, sharing half-century stands with Cordelia Griffith and Jody Grewcock (40) as the hosts despite a late wobble raced home with 12 overs to spare.

Diamonds, for whom Sterre Kalis made 36 and Katherine Fraser 34, were left to rue dropped catches in the field, but stay second and on course for the semi-finals.

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^{Eve Jones made 130 in Central Sparks' highest ever RHFT total (Getty Images)}

Taunton: Central Sparks 297-3, Western Storm 152 - Central Sparks win by 145 runs

Eve Jones scored a brilliant match-winning 130 as Central Sparks posted their highest ever total in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy to comfortably beat Western Storm by 145 runs at Taunton.

In scintillating form, the 32-year-old opener plundered 18 fours and a six in an innings spanning 163 balls as the visitors ran up an imposing 297 for 3 in 50 overs, narrowly surpassing their previous competition best of 296 made against Loughborough Lightning in 2021.

Jones dominated a huge stand of 189 in 31 overs for the third wicket with Abi Freeborn, who raised a thrilling unbeaten 89 from 94 balls after Sparks had been put into bat.

It was a day to forget for a ragged Storm side that conceded 40 extras and returned to the foot of the table after suffering an eighth defeat in 11 outings.

Arundel: The Blaze 208, Southern Vipers 188 - The Blaze win by 20 runs

A stunning team bowling performance kept The Blaze in the hunt to secure a place in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy knockout stage – while Southern Vipers botched their first chance to confirm progression.

Marie Kelly's 40 headlined a hard-working batting effort to reach 208 on a tough pitch to force runs on, with spinner Ava Lee taking a career-best 4 for 51 on her 19th birthday.

Fast bowlers Orla Prendergast claimed 3 for 38 and Kathryn Bryce took 2 for 18, but it was Kirstie Gordon (2 for 26) and her fellow spinners that stopped Vipers from getting away – despite Emily Windsor's grafting 41.

The Blaze remain fifth, but closed the gap to South East Stars to five points, while Vipers stay top and in prime position to reach the semi-finals.

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^{England's Kate Cross bowled Thunder to victory against South East Stars (Getty Images)}

Beckenham: Thunder 250-8, South East Stars 130 - Lancashire Thunder win by 120 runs

England's Kate Cross took List A best figures of 6 for 40 as the Lancashire Thunder beat the South East Stars by 120 runs in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Beckenham.

Batting first, the Thunder made 250 for 8 from their 50 overs, Seren Smale top-scoring with 76 and Fi Morris making 54.

Ryana MacDonald-Gay was the Stars' most potent bowler with 3 for 42 and she also claimed a run out, while Kalea Moore took 2 for 49.

Cross, however, did the damage by claiming the key wickets of Bryony Smith and Alice Davidson-Richards in successive balls. Despite a batting 54 from Kira Chathli the Stars never really looked like chasing down the target and they were all out for 130 from 36.4 overs.

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