Cricket

Southern Vipers' relentless bowling attack, spearheaded by Freya Davies' exceptional four-wicket haul, propelled them to a dominant seven-wicket victory over South East Stars in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Davies, a former Stars fast bowler, unleashed her blistering pace to dismantle the Stars' batting lineup, restricting them to a meager 120 runs. Her incisive swing bamboozled Bryony Smith, Alexa Stonehouse, and Kalea Moore, leaving the Stars reeling at 22 for 4.Alice Davidson-Richards and Bethan Miles attempted to salvage the innings with a 35-run partnership, but Vipers' spin duo of Charli Knott and Ava Lee proved too formidable. Knott's clever offbreaks accounted for Miles and Aylish Cranstone, while Lee's guile deceived Davidson-Richards.Chloe Hill and Ryana Macdonald Gay provided some resistance with a 34-run stand, but Hill's unfortunate run-out and Dani Gregory's dismissal to Davies sealed the Stars' fate.In contrast to the Stars' struggles, Vipers' chase was a clinical display of batting prowess. Knott, in her penultimate appearance for the team, anchored the innings with a classy 57, guiding Vipers to the target in just 23 overs.Ella McCaughan and Georgia Adams contributed valuable runs, but it was Knott's elegant strokeplay that stole the show. Her ability to dispatch width with ease earned her a well-deserved half-century, her third for Vipers this season.The victory not only cemented Vipers' position at the top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy table but also avenged their Charlotte Edwards Cup semi-final defeat to Stars.

Australia A and India A will engage in a multi-format series in Queensland during August, providing a platform for emerging players to showcase their skills and vie for higher honors. The series will feature three T20s in Brisbane, three 50-over games in Mackay, and a four-day match on the Gold Coast.Tahlia McGrath, Australia's vice-captain, will lead the T20 and 50-over squads, while Queensland allrounder Charli Knott will captain the four-day side. The squads comprise a blend of established domestic players and rising stars eager to make their mark.The four-day game offers a rare opportunity for players from both countries to experience long-form cricket. McGrath expressed her excitement for the series, stating, "It presents those of us not playing in the Hundred with the chance to prepare for a huge summer against a strong opposition."National selector Shawn Flegler emphasized the importance of the series in assessing domestic talent and preparing nationally contracted players for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Australia will face New Zealand in a three-match T20I series in mid-September before heading to Bangladesh for the World Cup.The series against India A marks the beginning of a busy season for Australia, which includes the WBBL, a short tour of New Zealand, and the multi-format Ashes in January.

In a crucial Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day clash, defending champions Southern Vipers outplayed Lancashire Thunder at Emirates Old Trafford, securing a dominant seven-wicket victory.Australian allrounder Charli Knott played a pivotal role, first dismantling Thunder's batting lineup with a three-wicket haul, then leading the Vipers' chase with a blistering 45 off 28 balls.Thunder's innings crumbled under the pressure of Vipers' spin attack. Linsey Smith and Knott combined for six wickets, with Smith claiming three in her opening spell. Thunder's total of 85 was their lowest in T20 regional history.Knott's opening partnership with Georgia Adams (22) set the tone for Vipers' chase. Knott's aggressive strokeplay, including nine boundaries, propelled the team to victory with 55 balls remaining.The win marked Vipers' third in six games, solidifying their position in the race for Finals Day. Thunder, on the other hand, suffered their fourth loss, leaving them with a 2-4 record.Vipers' dominance over Thunder in regional cricket continued, extending their unbeaten streak to 10 matches. The victory also earned them a bonus point, giving them the maximum five points available.

Southern Vipers emerged victorious in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, defeating Western Storm by 28 runs thanks to a stellar performance from Australian off-spinner Charli Knott.Knott's exceptional bowling figures of 4 for 23, coupled with the electric wicket-keeping of Rhianna Southby, proved too much for Storm to overcome. Georgia Adams' 48 runs provided the backbone for Vipers' impressive total of 173 for 5, the second-highest score in the competition's history. Georgia Elwiss (45) and Freya Kemp (34) also made significant contributions.Storm's chase faltered from the outset, with the required run rate quickly spiraling out of control. Despite a valiant effort from Sophie Luff (34*), Storm could only manage 145 for 7, handing Vipers their second win in four matches this season.Knott's devastating spell began in the seventh over, when she dismissed Georgia Adams with a well-judged catch at long on. She then proceeded to dismantle Storm's middle order, claiming the wickets of Emma Corney, Niamh Holland, and Alex Griffiths. Southby's lightning-fast reflexes behind the stumps played a crucial role in Knott's success, with three of her four victims falling to stumpings.Adams' innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression. She found gaps with ease and pushed extra runs to score 48, forming a crucial partnership with Kemp. Kemp's scratchy start gave way to some powerful shots, including four fours and the innings' only six.Vipers' middle-order, which had cost them matches earlier in the season, showed resilience in the face of wickets. They scrambled runs while losing wickets, reaching 173 but losing Adams and Kemp to Wellington.Storm's reply was always behind the required rate, and despite Luff's valiant effort, they were unable to keep up with the chase. Wellington and Luff put on 46, but the run-rate had already far outgrown their capabilities. Luff was eventually run out in the penultimate over, and Mollie Robbins holed out to the last delivery, leaving Storm winless in the competition.

In a thrilling Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy encounter at Bristol's Seat Unique Stadium, Southern Vipers emerged victorious over Western Storm by a narrow margin of four runs. Charli Knott's career-best 102 from 112 balls proved pivotal for the Vipers, who posted a formidable 295 for 5.Knott dominated the innings, forming crucial partnerships with Maia Bouchier (34) and Georgia Adams (65). The Australian all-rounder reached her maiden century in the 35th over, showcasing her exceptional strokeplay. Freya Kemp's quickfire 44 not out further boosted the Vipers' total.Western Storm's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost openers Sophia Smale and Alex Griffiths early on. However, England captain Heather Knight and Fran Wilson steadied the ship with a 112-run stand for the third wicket. Sophie Luff and Dani Gibson then staged a remarkable alliance of 78 runs in just nine overs, setting up a dramatic finale.Both Luff and Gibson reached half-centuries, but their dismissals in quick succession left Storm needing 12 runs off the last over. Freya Davies and Georgia Adams bowled with composure under pressure, claiming two wickets apiece to secure the victory for the Vipers.Knott's outstanding performance earned her the Player of the Match award. Her ability to pierce the field and score at a brisk pace proved too much for the Storm bowlers. The Vipers' victory was a testament to their resilience and ability to perform under pressure.

Southern Vipers' Ella McCaughan propelled her team to a resounding 70-run victory over Northern Diamonds in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, extending their winning streak to two matches.McCaughan's belligerent 97-ball 83, her sixth half-century in the competition, anchored the Vipers' innings. Charli Knott, the Australian import, continued her impressive form with a run-a-ball 40, contributing to the team's impressive total of 287 for 9.Diamonds' chase faltered early on as Linsey Smith dismissed Emma Marlow in the sixth over. Charlie Dean's incisive bowling further hampered their progress, claiming the wickets of Hollie Armitage and Bess Heath.Lauren Winfield-Hill and Erin Burns attempted to revive the chase with a 82-run partnership, but a flurry of wickets, including Dean's four-wicket haul, extinguished their hopes. Rain intervened with Diamonds 70 runs short of the DLS target of 232, handing Vipers a comprehensive victory.McCaughan's milestone of 1,000 Southern Vipers runs is a testament to her consistent performances. Her aggressive approach and ability to play a variety of shots make her a formidable batter.Knott's contributions have been equally valuable, providing stability and acceleration to the Vipers' batting lineup. Her experience in the Women's Big Bash League has been evident in her performances in England.Diamonds' bowlers, led by Phoebe Turner's three-wicket haul, showed resilience in restricting the Vipers' total. However, their batting lineup struggled to cope with the Vipers' bowling attack, particularly Dean's accurate spin.The victory consolidates Southern Vipers' position at the top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy standings. Their ability to adapt to different conditions and overcome challenges bodes well for their title aspirations.

Southern Vipers, the defending champions of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, secured their first victory of the season with a dominant seven-wicket triumph over Central Sparks. Australian all-rounder Charli Knott played a pivotal role, contributing with both bat and ball.Knott, who had impressed in the previous match with two wickets, continued her fine form by claiming two more scalps with her offspin. She then showcased her batting prowess with an unbeaten 58, anchoring the Vipers' chase.Central Sparks, despite a valiant effort from Katie George (52), were restricted to 172 for 9. The Vipers' bowling attack, led by Linsey Smith's economical 2 for 20, kept the Sparks batters in check.In reply, the Vipers openers, Maia Bouchier and Ella McCaughan, provided a solid foundation with patient knocks of 33 and 43, respectively. Knott then took center stage, guiding her team to victory with a composed 58.The match was not without its controversies. A boundary catch claimed by Issy Wong was initially ruled out due to a boundary rope infringement, sparking a lively debate between the teams. The incident was eventually resolved with the agreement of a six.Knott's impressive performance has further enhanced her reputation as a rising star in the women's game. Her all-round contributions have been instrumental in the Vipers' early success in the tournament.