South East Stars 176 for six (Franklin 52, Smith 47, Davis 3-12) beat Central Sparks 170 (George 53, Smith 3-23) by six runs

South East Stars have crushed Central Sparks by six runs in a Charlotte Edwards Cup thriller at Canterbury.

Neither facet ready was to qualify for Finals Day and each have been lacking key gamers via harm and England commitments, nevertheless it was a compelling contest that fluctuated virtually continually.

After selecting to bowl, the Sparks produced a fielding efficiency that was a mix of the sensible and the strange.

Chloe Hill might have been out first ball, however after skying Ellie Anderson she was dropped by Freeborn who, given the cloud cowl, was attempting to catch a white ball in opposition to a white background.

Smith was on 20 when she supplied a regulation probability to Erin Burns. The fielder put her down however subsequently atoned with a superb diving effort to eliminate Smith as she was poised for her half-century.

Hill was the subsequent to go, caught-and-bowled by Davis for 25 and Charis Pavely then took a courageous catch to take away Aylish Cranstone after she'd holed out to Anderson, practically colliding with Burns within the course of.

Kira Chathli went for 11 when she hit Bethan Ellis to Chloe Brewer and Davis concluded an outstanding spell when she bowled Franklin.

Ryana MacDonald-Gay drove Ellis to Burns for 5 within the closing over, however though the speed dipped it was nonetheless the Star's highest rating of the competitors thus far.

The Sparks' chase misfired within the second over when Ami Campbell was despatched again by fellow opener Ellis chasing a second run that wasn't actually there and he or she was run out after a sensible throw by Hill, however Ellis responded with an enterprising innings, partnered by Davina Perrin.

Perrin struck a sublime 25, solely to fall to an inelegant swipe off MacDonald-Gay which was caught at level by Aylish Cranstone.

Danni Gregory swung the momentum again within the Stars' favour, eradicating Ellis for 29 when she pulled her to Tash Farrant at sq. leg off the ultimate ball of the ninth. Although Burns hit 16 off the tenth over, Gregory then bowled Brewer for a golden duck.George blocked the hat-trick ball and commenced scoring so freely that the Sparks appeared to be coasting till Smith introduced herself again on on the Pavilion End and instantly claimed the important thing wicket of Burns for 39.

Smith then bowled Pavely however so long as George was on the crease the Sparks seemed slight favourites. They wanted 26 from the ultimate three and 17 from the final two, however residence hopes soared when Cooper had Anderson lbw for five.

George declined a single off the final ball of the over, backing herself to get 10 off the ultimate six balls. The first went for 2 after a misfield. The pressure was ramped up when Cooper then dropped George however ran out Baker who was chasing a second.

George drove the third ball to Cooper in virtually precisely the identical place, however this time the fielder held on to seal an exhilarating win.