Southern Vipers Crush Sunrisers with Record-Breaking Batting Performance

Southern Vipers, the reigning Charlotte Edwards Cup (CEC) champions, secured their first victory of the 2023 campaign with a dominant 19-run triumph over Sunrisers. The match witnessed record-breaking performances from England's Georgia Elwiss and Freya Kemp, who propelled Vipers to a formidable total of 171 for 2.

Elwiss and Kemp forged an unbroken 110-run partnership, the highest for any wicket in Vipers' history. Elwiss anchored the innings with a composed 73 off 57 deliveries, while Kemp unleashed her power-hitting prowess, smashing 55 off 35 balls, including three maximums. Their alliance surpassed the previous Vipers' best of 108, set by Danni Wyatt and Maia Bouchier in last year's Eliminator.

In response, Sunrisers' chase was spearheaded by Mady Villiers and Jo Gardner, who shared a 75-run stand. Gardner played the role of anchor, reaching her maiden CEC half-century, while Villiers fell just short of her own fifty. However, Vipers' bowlers tightened their grip, with Mary Taylor claiming two wickets in quick succession to swing the momentum in their favor.

Despite Gardner's late power-hitting, Sunrisers fell short of the target, finishing on 152 for 5. Freya Davies, Linsey Smith, and Taylor were the standout bowlers for Vipers, each claiming two wickets.

Elwiss's innings marked her first CEC half-century, while Kemp's fifty was her second for Vipers and her first in T20 cricket. Their record-breaking partnership laid the foundation for Vipers' victory, showcasing their exceptional batting prowess.

Tags: #CharlotteEdwardsCup, #SouthernVipers, #Sunrisers, #GeorgiaElwiss, #FreyaKemp