Katie George inspires Central Sparks to chase down Northern Diamonds

Former England allrounder George starred with 2 for 46 from seven overs of left-arm seam and then 56 off 35 balls as Sparks won with two balls remaining

Headingley: Northern Diamonds 223-4, Central Sparks 164-5 - Central Sparks win by five wickets (DLS)

Katie George-inspired Central Sparks chased down a 164 target in 19 overs at Headingley to maintain their excellent recent form and pile more misery on defending Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy champions Northern Diamonds, winning by five wickets.

A rain-ravaged fixture was completed with two balls remaining following rain showers all day. Former England allrounder George starred with 2 for 46 from seven overs of left-arm seam and then 56 off 35 balls.

The Diamonds were in a healthy position on 223 for 4 from 34 of 37 scheduled overs, with rain taking the players from the field at 3.20pm after a delayed start.

When play resumed at 4.45pm, Sparks were set their target, which they reached amidst an entertaining finale thanks to George's best 50-over score this summer – her first campaign with the Midlanders.

The second-placed Sparks have now won the last four matches they've played – they were rained off at home to Western Storm last week, while the Diamonds have lost their last three to dent their title defence and drop out of the top three qualifying places.

Diamonds captain Hollie Armitage accelerated into a fine 66 off 56 balls, while Bess Heath crashed an unbeaten 49 off 31. They shared 66 inside seven overs for the fourth wicket from 131 for 3 in the 26th over.

^{Hollie Armitage's fifty was in vain (Paul Harding/Getty Images)}

Play finally started at 12.40pm, with the game reduced to 39 overs per side. Another brief shower following the start forced a 37 overs contest.

The Diamonds got off to a fluent but not blistering start as Lauren Winfield-Hill and Sterre Kalis shared 60 inside 12 overs.

Winfield-Hill made 28, while Kalis made 36 less than 24 hours after representing the Netherlands in a T20 international against Thailand in Utrecht yesterday.

Such was the tight turnaround that Kalis' kit was stuck on a flight, and she was forced to use an old bat of hers and some borrowed kit from teammates. But she played confidently as Sparks erred in line and length.

England fast bowler Issy Wong was the main culprit, regularly bowling full tosses which were despatched to the fence.

The innings slowed up after the off-spin of Georgia Davis bowled Winfield-Hill and Kalis was caught behind off George's left-arm seam – 83 for 2 after 15.

Emma Marlow later fell to a smart diving catch by Bethan Ellis at cover off George, leaving the score at 131 for three in the 26th over and paving the way for Armitage and Heath to really open up. Both hit sixes over long-on.

^{Katie Levick took three wickets in the run-chase (Stu Forster/Getty Images)}

Forty-four runs came in three overs from 153 for 3 after 29, though Armitage, having reached her fifty in 51 balls, fell to a stunning diving catch by Erin Burns on the run from long-on off Davis. Only two more overs were possible in the Diamonds innings before rain.

When play resumed, Sparks started their chase well, reaching 40 without loss in the fifth over and helped by two lots of five wides.

But Australian Burns, promoted to open, was first to go when caught at mid-on off Jess Woolston's seam.

Katie Levick bowled a sweeping Abbey Freeborn shortly afterwards before George hit the leg-spinner for three fours in the 10th over – two wide of long-on – to take the score to 84 for 2.

Eve Jones, for 26, then scooped Grace Hall's slingy seam to short fine-leg in the next over, leaving the score at 89 for 3.

But George, helped by former Diamond Ami Campbell, maintained the momentum to ensure Sparks won for the fifth time in nine games in all.

George reached 50 off 30 balls and took the target to nine off the last two overs. She shared 72 with fourth-wicket partner Campbell, who added 27.

Both were bowled by Levick at the start of the last over to heighten nerves, but it was too little, too late. Charis Pavely hit the winning runs.

This coverage is brought to you in partnership with Smile Group Travel, specialists in women and girls cricket. For more information, visit www.smilegrouptravel.com

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