Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy roundup: The Blaze keep alive semi-final hopes

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

ECB Reporters Network | 31/08/2024 at 17:15

Derby: Sunrisers 245, The Blaze 249-4 - The Blaze won by six wickets

Double-chasers The Blaze kept alive their chance of qualifying for the knock-out stage of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with a six-wicket win over Sunrisers at Derby, where they chased down a target of 246 with 39 balls to spare.

Not for the first time, all-rounder Kathryn Bryce was their match-winner, top-scoring with 87 not out for the Charlotte Edwards Cup-holders to go with figures of 4 for 41 in the Sunrisers innings.

England's Tammy Beaumont (59) shared a 76-run first-wicket partnership with Kathryn's sister, Sarah Bryce (41) to give the chase a strong platform, Ella Claridge helping Scotland skipper Bryce finish things off with an unbeaten 33 from 27 balls.

Cordelia Griffiths had been the Sunrisers' star performer with the bat, making 65 with seven fours and a six, backed up by useful contributions from Eva Gray (37) and Jodi Grewcock (36) in the Sunrisers total.

The result was a setback for Sunrisers, who started the day in third place in the group table, although the top-four finish they need to clinch their first semi-final appearance in the history of either of the women's regional competitions remains in their hands with two matches left.

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Chathli underpinned the Stars chase (Tom Dulat/Getty Images for Surrey CCC)

Beckenham: Western Storm 282-8, South East Stars 283-5 - South East Stars won by five wickets

A record-sixth wicket partnership between Kira Chathli and Ryana MacDonald-Gay steered the South East Stars to a five-wicket win over the Western Storm in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Beckenham.

The duo came together when the hosts were struggling on 164 for 5, Chathli hitting 86 not out and England newcomer MacDonald-Gay an unbeaten 51 as the Stars finished on 283 for 5, to win with 2.4 overs to spare. Their stand of 119 is a new Stars' record for the sixth wicket and their eighth-highest partnership and both batters recorded their highest List A scores.

Earlier Fran Wilson hit 81 as the Storm posted 282 for 8 from 50 overs, Natasha Wraith hitting 68 and Sophie Luff 58. Stars skipper Bryony Smith had the hosts' best figures with 2 for 43, while Kalea Moore took 2 for 60.