Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy roundup: Nail-biting wins for Diamonds and Vipers, half-century for Sophia Dunkley

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

ECB Reporters Network | 04/05/2024 at 18:01

Edgbaston: Northern Diamonds 216, Central Sparks 215 - Northern Diamonds won by one run

A sensational finish at Edgbaston saw Northern Diamonds beat Central Sparks by one run in a Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy thriller.

Chasing 216, Sparks entered the last over, bowled by Diamonds captain Hollie Armitage, needing just four to win with three wickets in hand, but lost all those three wickets to fall short on 215.

Armitage ended with 3 for 40 after delivering an ice-nerved final over which secured her side's third victory in the competition this season.

Diamonds chose to bat but were bowled out for 216 by a disciplined attack in which six bowlers took wickets. Former Sparks player Erin Burns offered most resistance with 49 (63 balls), supported by a late cameo by the in-form Abi Glen (31 not out off27).

A second-wicket century stand by Eve Jones (65 off 98) and Abi Freeborn (49 off 70) then gave the Sparks chase a strong platform but the last nine wickets fell for 103 – and the last five for just 15 - as Diamonds squeezed home in memorable fashion.

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^{Sophia Dunkley responded to being dropped by England with a half-century for South East Stars [Ben Hoskins/Getty Images]}

Bristol: Southern Vipers 295-5, Western Storm 291-9 - Southern Vipers won by four runs

Charli Knott registered a superb career-best 102 from 112 balls as Southern Vipers held their nerve to beat Western Storm by four runs in a thrilling Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy contest at Bristol's Seat Unique Stadium.

The 21-year-old Australian allrounder dominated stands of 91 and 115 with Maia Bouchier and Georgia Adams for the first and second wickets, respectively, as Vipers posted a formidable 295 for 5. Adams went onto score 65, while Freya Kemp smashed a quickfire 44 not out.

England captain Heather Knight and Fran Wilson laid the foundations for a successful chase, both registering half-centuries in a third-wicket stand of 112 in 18 overs. Sophie Luff and Dani Gibson then staged an outstanding alliance of 78 in nine overs to set-up a dramatic finale.

Both players passed fifty, only to be be dismissed with victory in sight, Freya Davies and Adams bowling well under pressure at the death to finish with two wickets apiece as Storm came up just short on 291 for 9.

She cuts Wellington away for a single and reaches three figures for the first time 🔥🔥🔥

📺 Live Stream 👉 https://t.co/0RerkadU9f #BewareTheVipers 🐍 https://t.co/USMsBx8jL4 pic.twitter.com/90rSoyIQBM
— Southern Vipers (@southernvipers_) May 4, 2024

Northampton: Sunrisers 222-9, South East Stars 223-5 - South East Stars won by five wickets

Sophia Dunkley responded to being left out of the England squad for the upcoming series against Pakistan by hitting a sparkling 67 (89 balls) to help lead South East Stars to a commanding five-wicket victory over Sunrisers in this top-of-the-table clash in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Northampton.

Brilliantly supported by a destructive Alice Davidson-Richards (50), the pair shared a second-wicket stand of 105 as Stars chased down 223 to win in 47.5 overs, after skipper Bryony Smith (34) laid the foundation in a 53-run opening partnership with Tash Farrant.

Dunkley, who was told by England coach Jon Lewis to get back to playing her best cricket, hit a few aggressive boundary shots early on, but paced her innings perfectly, relying on exquisite timing and placement to keep the scoreboard ticking. After she and Davidson-Richards both departed, Phoebe Franklin was there to see her team home.

Sunrisers had failed to capitalise on winning the toss and batting first for the first time this season, losing wickets at regular intervals as they posted 222 for 9, with Alexa Stonehouse, Davidson-Richards and Kalea Moore each taking two wickets.

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