Danni Wyatt hits second-fastest KSL century to inspire Southern Vipers

The Vipers remain well in the hunt for a place at finals day after their third win of the competition at Arundel

Arundel: Southern Vipers 178-9, Surrey Stars 89 - Southern Vipers won by 89 runs

Scorecard

Danni Wyatt became the first English player to score a Kia Super League century as Southern Vipers thrashed Surrey Stars by 89 runs for a bonus-point win.

England T20 opener Wyatt clouted a stunning 110 from 60 balls, the second-highest KSL score and her first ton since March last year against India.

The Sussex star helped the Vipers to 178, the fourth-highest total in KSL history, at Arundel, before an all-round first-class bowling display saw the Stars bowled out for 89.

A rare positive for Surrey in the drubbing was a hat-trick from spinner Dane van Niekerk in the last over of the Vipers’ innings as the holders suffered their second defeat of the competition.

The victory extended Vipers’ lead over the Stars in second and broke a two-game winless run – after defeat to leaders Western Storm and a tie with Lancashire Thunder.

After being stuck in by Surrey, Wyatt was the star of the show from the moment she swept and cut back-to-back boundaries off van Niekerk in the fourth over.

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The Vipers were only on 29 out of powerplay and 68 at the halfway point, but Wyatt went through the gears and Suzie Bates found some timing.

Wyatt reached her fifty in 32 balls, the second time past the milestone this season, brought up with slog-sweep maximum.

It was one of a tournament-high seven sixes in Wyatt’s swashbuckling innings, with nine four played all around the park, but mostly coming down the ground through the V.

She put on 109 with Bates, Vipers first-ever century opening partnership, before the New Zealander was caught at long-off by Nat Sciver for 39.

That seemed to set Wyatt loose, as she thrashed 17 and 23 off consecutive Sciver and Laura Marsh overs – with an impeccable straight-six bringing up her maximum in 56 balls.

The century was the second-fastest in KSL history and was only behind Bates’ 119 in 2017 in term of runs.

Wyatt did depart when Sciver bowled her, with every Surrey player running over to shake her hand, before van Niekerk’s treble – which consisted of Stefanie Taylor and debutant Marie Kelly being bowled and Maia Bouchier caught behind.

In their chase of 179, Surrey lost Bryony Smith in the second over, bowled by Tash Farrant, before fellow opener Lizelle Lee was caught at square leg in the fourth over.

Skipper Sciver was castled by Farrant and van Niekerk was lbw to Fi Morris as the Stars never got going.

Stefanie Taylor had Sarah Taylor stumped, after a fumble by Tammy Beaumont, and Aylish Cranstone bowled next ball to leave the visitors floundering on 70 for 6.

Marsh holed out to deep square leg, Mady Villiers was run out, Gwenan Davies was yorked and Marizanne Kapp was caught on the boundary to confirm the victory for the Vipers.

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