Cricket

Central Sparks' Eve Jones produced a scintillating century as they crushed Western Storm by 145 runs in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Jones' 130 and Abi Freeborn's unbeaten 89 propelled Sparks to a mammoth 297 for 3, their highest-ever total in the competition.Jones, in her 50th appearance, dominated the innings with 18 fours and a six. She shared a 189-run stand with Freeborn, who struck 12 boundaries in her 89-ball knock. Sparks' total eclipsed their previous best of 296 against Loughborough Lightning in 2021.Western Storm's chase was derailed by Sparks' spinners. Georgia Davis claimed a career-best 6 for 23, while Hannah Baker and Chris Pavely took 1 for 34 and 2 for 15 respectively. Sophia Smale's 53 was the only significant contribution for Storm, who were dismissed for a disappointing 152 in 33 overs.Jones' innings was a masterclass in batting. She punished loose deliveries and dominated the bowling attack. Her 130 came off 163 balls, and she was unfortunate to miss out on a career-best score. Freeborn provided excellent support, rotating the strike and finding the boundary regularly.Sparks' victory was a testament to their dominance in all aspects of the game. Their batting was relentless, their bowling was incisive, and their fielding was sharp. Western Storm, on the other hand, had a day to forget. Their bowling was wayward, their fielding was sloppy, and their batting lacked application.

Central Sparks secured their Charlotte Edwards Cup qualification with a thrilling last-ball eight-wicket victory over Thunder at Edgbaston.Thunder, put in to bat, posted a competitive 146 for six, thanks to a superb maiden T20 half-century from 19-year-old Seren Smale. Smale, who came to the crease with Thunder in trouble at three for two, rescued her team with a polished innings of 88 not out from 61 balls, including nine fours. Grace Potts led the Sparks bowling attack with two for 18.Sparks' chase started slowly, but an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 128 between Abi Freeborn (71 not out from 57 balls) and Amy Jones (67 not out from 45 balls) powered them to victory. Jones struck the last two balls of the 20th over for four to seal the win and end Thunder's hopes of qualification.With Eve Jones ruled out by concussion, Georgia Davis captained Sparks and won the toss, opting to field. Both opening bowlers struck in their first over, with Fi Morris falling to Potts and Katie Mack to Charis Pavely, leaving Thunder reeling at three for two after two overs.Smale's dropped catch between wicketkeeper and slip proved costly for Sparks, as she and Emma Lamb (25 from 28 balls) added 61 in 51 balls. After Lamb's dismissal, Threlkeld joined Smale in a 58-run stand in 41 balls, with Smale reaching her half-century in 41 balls.Thunder started strongly with the ball, with Kate Cross dismissing Ami Campbell in the first over and Tara Norris conceding just a single in the second. However, Ecclestone's first ball was spun past Perrin, who was stumped by Threlkeld.Freeborn and Jones rebuilt methodically, keeping Sparks in the race. Freeborn reached 50 in 35 balls and Jones in 37, leaving 26 needed from the last three overs. Phoebe Graham's final over came down to ten off the last over, and five from the last two balls. Jones hoisted the first of those over mid-off for four and the second to the cover boundary to send Sparks through to Finals Day.

Sunrisers' Grace Scrivens Shines with Century in Victory over Central SparksIn a thrilling encounter at Kidderminster, Sunrisers extended their impressive start to the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy season with a five-wicket triumph over Central Sparks. The victory was orchestrated by a magnificent century from Grace Scrivens, who guided her team to a comfortable chase of Sparks' 213 all out.Sparks' innings began disastrously as they lost both openers for ducks. Abi Freeborn's composed 93 provided the backbone of their total, but disciplined bowling from Kate Coppack (3-26) and Nicola Hancock (3-34) restricted them to a modest score.In response, Sunrisers' chase was anchored by Scrivens' masterful 118 not out off 123 deliveries. Her innings was a symphony of strokeplay, featuring 12 boundaries and a towering six. Scrivens' partnership with Cordelia Griffith (37) laid the foundation for the victory, and despite a brief Sparks resurgence, she remained resolute, guiding her team to victory with 10.2 overs to spare.Scrivens' performance was a testament to her current form and confidence. "I'm feeling nice at the moment and when you are feeling nice you have to cash in," she said. "I was just happy I did that today and helped get us over the line."Sparks captain Eve Jones acknowledged the challenges her team faced. "We bowled well up top to take some wickets and then bowled well through the middle too," she said. "Sometimes you can let things drift when you don't take wickets but we stuck at it really well and it was nice to restrict Freeborn to the mid-nineties when she was in and set."Sunrisers' victory consolidates their position among the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy frontrunners, while Sparks will need to regroup after a string of defeats.