Ella McCaughan takes probability as depleted Vipers edge Thunder
Southern Vipers 115 for six (McCaughan 42, Adams 36) beat Thunder 111 by 4 wickets
Ella McCaughan capitalised on Southern Vipers’ England exodus to attain 42 to assist her aspect to a four-wicket victory over Thunder within the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
Batter McCaughan hadn’t featured in Vipers’ opening three matches however made essentially the most of Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt’s England call-ups with 5 boundaries on her method to her highest T20 rating for Vipers.
Vipers’ chase of 111 – after bowling efficiency led by Linsey Smith‘s 2 for 16 – by no means regarded in a lot doubt, with Georgia Adams becoming a member of McCaughan in a 52-run stand in entrance of just about 3,500 followers.
“It was nice to get an opportunity at the top of the order,” McCaughan stated. “I’ve been working hard behind the scenes to be ready for the chance and I’m really pleased with the way I contributed.
“We have a powerful aspect and depth right here so it’s actually arduous to get into the group. I’ve been working arduous to get in and it was good to get on the market as we speak.”
The bonus-point victory put Vipers in command of third place after their defeat of The Blaze, while Thunder remain fourth.
Thunder chose to bat first with both sides shorn of their England contract players, with Lauren Bell, Wyatt, Charlie Dean, Bouchier, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, and Emma Lamb all called up for red-ball training ahead of the Ashes Test.
Thunder’s batters collectively struggled to make the most of starts, with Liberty Heap, Deandra Dottin, Ellie Threlkeld and Danni Collins all scoring between 15 and 24 but none could turn them into innings-defining scores.
They were throttled by accurate bowling from the experienced Vipers bowlers Anya Shrubsole, Smith, Adams and, on her birthday, Georgia Elwiss – none of which went for more than 6.25 runs per over.
But Thunder self-sabotaged with four run-outs of varying degrees of barbecuing and mix-ups, which accounted for the wickets of Fi Morris, Seren Smale, Steph Butler and Olivia Bell.
A used pitch made flowing shot-making troublesome though they totted up 47 for two within the powerplay, aided by Heap’s quartet of boundaries.
West Indian Dottin confirmed some aptitude with a vicious minimize and flail over cowl combo off Mary Taylor earlier than slog-sweeping Adams for six.
But the belt tightened, Elwiss went for 14 off her for overs whereas Shrubsole, Smith and Adams picked up two wickets every because the final seven wickets fell for simply 30 runs.
In reply, Vipers’ new-look opening pair of Nicole Faltum and McCaughan effortlessly placed on 33 collectively earlier than the Australian minimize to level and Taylor joined the run out occasion.
Left-arm all-rounder Naomi Dattani had pilfered the primary wicket, and the primary two overs with impeccable figures of 2-2-0-1.
But Adams and McCaughan took management. Adams began slowly with 15 coming from her first 17 balls earlier than tearing into former team-mate Tara Norris with three successive fours earlier than deliver up the fifty stand by carting Bell into the stands.
She departed two balls later trying one other massive shot earlier than Freya Kemp and McCaughan had been bowled by Bell.
Nancy Harman grew to become the sixth run out sufferer however Elwiss whacked a six again over Bell’s head to win it with 23 balls to spare.