Dattani, Dottin ship Thunder to crashing victory over Diamonds
Thunder 168 for 4 (Dottin 54*, Dattani 46) beat Northern Diamonds 167 (Winfield-Hill 33, Dattani 4-16) by six wickets
Naomi Dattani starred with bat and ball as Thunder registered their first win of this season’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with a six-wicket victory over Northern Diamonds in York.
Dattani claimed 4 wickets to assist bowl Diamonds out for 167 and performed a vital innings of 46, sharing a 98-run stand with Deandra Dottin – who made 54 not out – as Thunder accomplished their run chase with 12.2 overs to spare.
Lauren Winfield-Hill top-scored for Diamonds with 33, however their complete by no means appeared sufficient because the defending champions slipped to their fourth defeat of the competitors.
The Diamonds’ innings was a narrative of wickets falling at common intervals as Thunder produced a superb show with the ball and within the area.
Openers Winfield-Hill and Sterre Kalis started patiently however solidly, reaching 37 with out loss after 10 overs having been requested to bat first.
Winfield-Hill regarded set for her fifth half-century of the competitors as she started to maneuver by way of the gears, however she was the primary wicket to fall – beautifully caught behind by Ellie Threlkeld handy Dattani her first wicket.
Kalis departed six balls later, bowled by Laura Jackson for 21, to depart Diamonds 58 for two after 14.1 overs.
From there, the hosts struggled to construct any momentum as Thunder stored issues beneath management with common breakthroughs.
Hollie Armitage fell for six, bowled by Dattani, earlier than Emma Marlow was properly run out for 9 by Liberty Heap to make it 88 for 4.
Diamonds reached the midway stage on 102 for 4 and Bess Heath and Chloe Tryon each started positively.
But Thunder have been spectacular within the area and Dottin ran Heath out as she tried a second run to fall for 17 earlier than Tryon was bowled by Fi Morris for 14.
Leah Dobson additionally began brightly, launching a few glorious boundaries, however Heap struck twice within the thirty sixth over to dismiss her for 13 and Lizzie Scott for six to depart Diamonds struggling on 136 for 8.
Morris bowled 10 glorious overs on the bounce, taking 1 for 27.
Katie Levick tried to supply late impetus with two boundaries off Dottin, however Dattani returned to wrap the innings up, having Levick caught by Morris for 11 earlier than Grace Hall edged behind for 13 as Diamonds have been all out within the forty fourth over.
Thunder started their chase of a modest goal with intent, reaching 32 for one after 5 overs – Seren Smale perishing a ball earlier, bowled by Scott for a brisk 15.
Diamonds have been sloppy with the ball, conceding 13 extras within the first seven overs and that allowed Thunder to take cost at 52 for after 10.
England opener Emma Lamb, omitted from the ODI Ashes squad named on Monday, was key to Thunder’s hopes and he or she regarded in good contact. But the introduction of spinner Levick turned the tide in Diamonds’ favour. First Lamb was trapped lbw for 21 and Morris went for a duck three balls later as Thunder have been all of a sudden 58 for 3.
Thunder’s pair of Dattani and Dottin discovered runs onerous to come back by however had ticked their facet on to 85 for 3 after 20 overs, earlier than there was a 12-minute rain interruption. At the midway mark, Thunder have been 93 for 3, needing one other 75.
Dattani and Dottin appeared to have assessed their low required run fee and a difficult pitch, batting with nice endurance to edge in the direction of their goal.
Dottin reached her half-century from 88 balls within the thirty seventh over earlier than Dattani was trapped lbw by Tryon to finish their decisive stand with simply 12 extra wanted.
Ellie Threlkeld hit the profitable run as Thunder ended their await a win.