Central Sparks Snatch Thrilling Victory Over South East Stars in Charlotte Edwards Cup

In a thrilling Charlotte Edwards Cup encounter at Canterbury, the Central Sparks emerged victorious over the South East Stars by three wickets, thanks to a hat-trick and match-winning knock from Emily Arlott.

Arlott's exceptional bowling performance, which yielded figures of 4-21, and Katie George's 2-31 restricted the Stars to a modest total of 122 for 8. Sophia Dunkley top-scored for the Stars with a gritty 58 from 49 deliveries.

The Sparks' chase got off to a shaky start as 16-year-old spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman dismissed both openers in the third over. However, skipper Eve Jones (43) and Courtney Webb (31) steadied the innings with a crucial 59-run partnership.

Corteen-Coleman's impressive spell continued as she claimed the wicket of Webb, but Jones remained resolute. With the Sparks needing eight runs from the final over, Arlott stepped up to the plate. She dispatched Tash Farrant's first two deliveries for boundaries, sealing the victory with four balls to spare.

The match held special significance for the Stars, as it marked their final scheduled appearance at the Spitfire Ground with six Kent-raised players in their ranks. The crowd of 1,277 witnessed a captivating contest that showcased the depth of women's cricket in England.

Tags: #CharlotteEdwardsCup, #CentralSparks, #SouthEastStars, #EmilyArlott, #TillyCorteenColeman