Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024 roundup: Sunrisers win first game since 2021, rain takes hold elsewhere

The Cricketer reviews the best of the action from the latest round of the T20 competition in 2024

ECB Reporters Network | 27/05/2024 at 18:30

Headingley: Northern Diamonds 80-9 (11), Central Sparks 81-7 - Central Sparks win by three wickets

Central Sparks made it three wins from three in the Charlotte Edwards Cup with a three-wicket victory from the final ball over winless Northern Diamonds in a rain-reduced match at Headingley.

Despite losing wickets with regularity, Diamonds posted a competitive target of 81 from 11 overs thanks largely to Erin Burns' impressive 30.

And the hosts looked set to clinch their first win but Sparks captain Eve Jones' nerveless unbeaten 26 saw her side home, with Georgia Davis striking two from the final delivery to clinch the victory.

Beckenham: Western Storm 38-3, South East Stars - match abandoned

Torrential rain washed out all hopes of a positive result between South East Stars and Western Storm in their Bank Holiday Monday clash at Beckenham.

Only six overs were possible in which time the visitors reached 38 for 3 before the heavens opened, drenching the outfield and leaving pools of water on the bowlers' run-ups.

Umpires James Tredwell and Fiona Richards gave the ground every chance to recover, calling for a 4.45pm inspection, but a further shower left them no alternative but to abandon the game. Both sides take two points meaning Stars are still unbeaten while Storm are yet to win in the campaign.

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^{Sunrisers won a first Charlotte Edwards Cup game since 2021 (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)}

Arundel: Sunrisers 134-5, Southern Vipers 131-6 - Sunrisers win by three runs

Sunrisers pulled off their first victory in the Charlotte Edwards Cup since the start of the 2021 campaign with a surprise three-run victory over holders Southern Vipers at Arundel.

Chasing a modest target of 135, the Vipers were clear favourites to repeat their comfortable win over the same opposition at Chelmsford on Friday. And the result did not appear in serious doubt after Australian opener Charli Knott – who had an outstanding all-round game – struck a 41-ball fifty, with six fours, putting on 73 for the first wicket with Georgia Elwiss in 10.4 overs.

But in a performance that belied their miserable record in the competition, Sunrisers bowled tightly and fielded ferociously, and Vipers were unable to meet the modest increase in the run rate that was required of them, as Sophie Munro took four wickets for 27 runs.

With 32 required from the last three overs the match was still in the balance after key players, captain Georgia Adams and Freya had fallen cheaply, and Elwiss was out after spending 37 balls scoring 33.

When Emily Windsor was stumped off the last ball of the 18th over, Vipers still needed 22 off two.And when Alice Monaghan was stumped at the end of the 19th they wanted an unlikely 12 from the final over.

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