Dani Gibson, Fran Wilson half-centuries get Storm again to profitable methods
Western Storm 150 for 3 (Gibson 62, Wilson 58*) beat Sunrisers 149 for six (Gardner 37*, Macleod 34) by seven wickets
Dani Gibson struck a blistering 62 off simply 46 balls as Western Storm chased down 150 to beat Sunrisers by seven wickets and document their second win on this yr’s Charlotte Edwards Cup.
Storm misplaced two early wickets, however vice-captain Gibson blazed seven fours and a six to maintain Storm nicely forward of the run charge all through a 115-run partnership in 13 overs with former England batter Fran Wilson, who completed unbeaten on 58.
Although Gibson fell with Storm nonetheless needing 19 to win, Wilson and skipper Sophie Luff noticed their facet residence with 10 balls to spare.
Sunrisers had posted their highest whole on this yr’s match because of an eventful 37 not out from Jo Gardner. Gardner who was dropped off consecutive deliveries (on 17 and 20) struck 4 boundaries in a sixth wicket partnership of 48 with Amara Carr to rescue Sunrisers after a mini mid-innings collapse when three wickets fell for 16 runs, two of them to Chloe Skelton.
It arrested Sunrisers’ progress after Lissy Macleod and Cordelia Griffith had additionally placed on a 48-run stand to offer the Sunrisers a robust platform of 84 for two on the midway stage.
Earlier Luff opted to bowl first to take advantage of overcast circumstances and her determination was instantly vindicated. Despite Mady Villiers taking two boundaries off Claire Nicholas’ first over, the England spinner was bowled off an inside edge making an attempt a late lower.
Veteran South African worldwide Dané van Niekerk performed positively, putting two boundaries down the bottom and taking three consecutive boundaries off Lauren Filer earlier than she was caught behind off the identical bowler, making an attempt an higher lower.
Irish worldwide Orla Prendergast bowled a decent constant opening spell, however her figures took a dent when she conceded 5 wides and Macleod lower her sq. for 4 as Sunrisers completed the powerplay strongly on 48 for two.
Macleod drove Sophia Smale by means of the covers for 4 and took consecutive boundaries off Filer, hitting her off her hip over superb leg and edging her down to 3rd.
Griffith largely performed a supporting function. She took a step down the wicket to hit Skelton over mid-off for 4 however fell to the identical bowler when she was sharply stumped by Nat Wraith. Macleod’s innings then ended when after stroking Gibson by means of the covers, she struck the subsequent supply straight to level.
Grace Scrivens perished when the ball flew off her inside edge to Luff at midwicket off Skelton whereas Carr caught round to supported Gardner in a sixth wicket stand in 6.3 overs earlier than she fell to a shocking one-handed catch by Gibson off her personal bowling.
When Storm batted, Villiers struck within the first over, her drag-down pulled straight to mid-on by Wraith. Prendergast was then run out by way of a lucky rebound off Scrivens’ palm as she fielded the ball in her follow-through however from that time, at 16 for two, Storm didn’t look in any hassle with the skilled Wilson combining with Gibson in a match-winning stand.
Gibson went on the assault in opposition to the leg spin of Abtaha Maqsood and hit seamer Kelly Castle for consecutive boundaries together with one excessive over deepmidwicket to take Storm to 82 for two after 10 overs, simply two runs wanting Sunrisers at that stage.
Gibson struck an enormous six over deepmidwicket off Gardner to achieve her half century off 33 balls, earlier than taking one other 4 off her subsequent supply.
Wilson in the meantime lower and pulled Scrivens for consecutive boundaries and pulled and reverse swept Abtaha Maqsood for 2 extra earlier than driving Eva Gray by means of cowl to carry up her half-century off 36 balls.
Gibson ultimately fell caught within the deep off Castle however by then the profitable line was virtually in sight.