Campbell, Freeborn fifties set Sparks up for win over Thunder
Central Sparks 233 (Campbell 68, Freeborn 67, Norris 4-42) beat Thunder 204 (Smale 94, George 3-57) by 29 runs
Central Sparks resumed their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy programme in strong type with a 29-run victory over struggling Thunder at New Road, Worcester.
Sparks put a disappointing Charlotte Edwards Cup marketing campaign behind them as they totalled 233 all out from precisely 50 overs thanks principally to Ami Campbell (68 off 72 balls) and Abigail Freeborn (67 from 98). Tara Norris stored the Sparks whole to round par with 4 for 42.
Seren Smale‘s very good career-best 94 off 125 balls then proved to be in useless as Thunder had been bowled out for 204 by a Sparks assault which maintained collective stress as six bowlers received among the many wickets, Katie George taking 3 for 57.
The defeat leaves bottom-of-the-table Thunder nonetheless searching for their first 50-over win of the season however Sparks will transfer ahead with their sights nonetheless very a lot on going all the way in which within the competitors.
Thunder skipper Eleanor Threlkeld received the toss and selected to discipline and her choice was rapidly vindicated by the elimination of each Sparks openers in 20 balls. Bethan Ellis was bowled via the gate by an inswinging yorker from Mahika Gaur and Norris struck a giant blow when she hit Eve Jones’ off stump.
When Erin Burns lifted Gaur to cowl, Sparks had been in hassle at 27 for 3, however Freeborn and Campbell organised a revival with a well-constructed stand of 129 in 26 overs. Campbell counter-attacked successfully, hitting 9 fours in a close to run-a-ball innings, earlier than she missed a pull at Norris and was beautifully stumped by Threlkeld.
The left-armer secured her third wicket subsequent ball when Davina Perrin was adjudged lbw and Sparks’ lack of momentum was heightened when Laura Jackson floated one inside Freeborn’s tried reduce and bowled her.
Charis Pavely restored some impetus with 33 from 36 balls, a cameo which transpired to be essential, however grew to become Norris’s fourth sufferer when she lifted to mid-wicket.
Thunder’s reply took an early hit when Naomi Dattani was bowled for a 12-ball duck by a nicely-flighted ball from Georgia Davis. Fi Morris skied Grace Potts into the deep however Smale and Deandra Dottin added 50 in ten overs earlier than the latter missed an try to show Ria Fackrell to leg and fell lbw. Burns then turned one inside Threlkeld’s tried leg-glance to win one other lbw choice.
Danielle Collins helped Smale add 52 in ten overs however each fell in 5 balls. Collins lifted Ellis to mid off and Smale, six runs wanting a thoroughly-deserved maiden century, miscued Katie George to mid off. That left the Thunder decrease order with a tall process – to seek out 72 from 11 overs – and regardless of a perky 22 off 29 balls from Norris it was past them.