Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy roundup: Northern Diamonds go top after Thunder victory

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

Southport: Northern Diamonds 290-6, Thunder 204 - Northern Diamonds won by 86 runs

Sterre Kalis hit a thrilling maiden List A century and Phoebe Turner claimed a first five-wicket haul as Northern Diamonds defeated Lancashire Thunder by 86 runs to go top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy table.

The Diamonds are on the verge of qualifying for the semi-finals with 37 points, 10 points ahead of fifth-placed The Blaze who have two games left. The defeat leaves Lancashire Thunder struggling to make the knockout stages.

After Lauren Winfield-Hill and Emma Marlow posted a 95-run opening stand, a century partnership between Kalis and Beth Langston for the fifth wicket took the Diamonds to 290 for 6 and that proved to be too many for the Thunder despite a century stand between Eve Jones and Seren Smale with the Thunder 204 all out.

Turner said: "We have a good team and we fight to the end. We have that grit and determination to keep going, so we knew if we stuck to our plans we could win and the bowlers did their jobs really well today.

"The ball nibbled about a bit and I thought it got harder to bat on towards the end of their innings with the weather.

"I was pitching it a bit shorter but it was staying low. If the bowler doesn’t know whether the ball will pop up or stay low the batter won’t either.

"We want to win these last few games and stay top of the table. That’s the target for us." 

Join The Cricketer's brand new Whatsapp channel for the latest breaking news, comment and features - click here to become a member

Related Topics

• Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy roundup: Rock-bottom Central Sparks stun depleted Southern Vipers
• Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy roundup: Career best figures for Villiers and Cross inspire Sunrisers and Thunder wins
• Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy roundup: The Blaze keep alive semi-final hopes