Cometh the hour, cometh Sophie Ecclestone

ELIZABETH BOTCHERBY AT CHESTER BOUGHTON HALL: Sunrisers’ top order pair Alice MacLeod and Fran Wilson appeared to be steering their side to an historic first victory before Hartley turned to the ICC’s no.1 ranked T20 bowler for inspiration

By the 20th over of Sunrisers’ innings, North West Thunder were losing their cool in the bank holiday heat.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, they were frustrated by the away side’s bowlers. Aside from Georgie Boyce, who scored a fine 91, and a late bulldozing spell from Kate Cross (43 runs from 47 deliveries), Thunder’s batting attack were largely neutralised.

Coming off for lunch with the scoreboard showing 247 for 9, it was Amara Carr and not Thunder’s Alex Hartley who looked the happier of the two captains.

After lunch, it was a similar story.

The powerplay wickets of Cordelia Griffith and Carr briefly restored a spring to Hartley’s step but a 72-run third-wicket partnership between Alice MacLeod and England’s Fran Wilson caused Thunder shoulders to slump.

The duo, who scored 108 runs combined in 2020, picked out gaps in the field with ease, dispatching a dozen or so deliveries over the boundary rope. Hartley herself, nursing a sore hand after a missed caught and bowled opportunity, was hit for 18 from her opening two overs. Not exactly the impact she’d been hoping for.

In the 20th over, the scoreboard read 106 for 2, Wilson and MacLeod were cruising, and Sunrisers were firmly in the ascendancy.

Thunder needed a moment of magic. So, Hartley turned to Ecclestone, the spinner ranked no.1 in the ICC’s T20 bowling rankings.

The 22-year-old’s first four balls, much like her performance up to that point, were unspectacular – two dots, a leg-bye and a pair.

The fifth pinned MacLeod lbw. The partnership was broken. MacLeod, dragging her bat slightly as she departed, walked off for 38, the echoes of Thunder’s cheers ringing in her ears.

Three overs later, and with confidence anew, Hartley removed the dangerous Naomi Dattani (caught Ecclestone) for five.

Wicket! @Sophecc19 makes a vital breakthrough as Macleod falls lbw for 36. @Sunriserscrick 107/3 chasing 248. pic.twitter.com/gcUhkt4AKi

— Thunder Cricket 💥 (@NW_Thunder) May 31, 2021

In the 25th over, Mady Villiers slunk back to the pavilion for a five-ball duck – another victim for Hartley – and was joined six deliveries later by Wilson, bowled by Emma Lamb one ball after bringing up her half-century with a ninth, sumptuous four.

In the space of six overs, Thunder had taken four wickets for the loss of just 18 runs, the scoreboard transitioning from a displeasing 109 for 2 to a much brighter 127 for 6.

It was by no means over. With 120 balls remaining, Sunrisers needed 103 balls.

However, there was no Anya Shrubsole present to rain on Thunder’s parade in Chester and when they reflect on their victory over the next few days, there is one moment they will pinpoint as critical to their success.

Not Boyce’s maiden half-century nor Lamb bowling Wilson. But Ecclestone’s timely wicket to remove MacLeod, which deflated the Sunrisers camp like a pin to a balloon.

Cometh the hour, cometh Sophie Ecclestone.  

Main photo: George Franks (@ggf_photos)

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