Cricket

In a thrilling encounter at the Seat Unique Riverside, South East Stars emerged victorious over Northern Diamonds in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, thanks to a remarkable bowling performance from 16-year-old Tilly Corteen-Coleman.Diamonds, who won the toss and elected to bat, made a promising start with openers Leah Dobson and Lauren Winfield-Hill putting on a 50-run partnership. However, the Stars' bowlers struck back with a vengeance, led by Corteen-Coleman's sensational spell.The teenager, who was only called up to the Stars' senior squad in April, picked up career-best figures of 5 for 19, including wickets from four consecutive balls. Her victims included key batters Sterre Kalis and Erin Burns, leaving Diamonds reeling at 88 for 4.The collapse continued as Diamonds lost their last six wickets for just 36 runs, with Corteen-Coleman completing her hat-trick in the final over. Dobson top-scored for Diamonds with a well-made 55, but her efforts were in vain as the hosts were bowled out for a paltry 124.In reply, the Stars made a confident start with Sophia Dunkley smashing a six in the third over. However, Diamonds fought back with Slater removing Dunkley for 25. Despite the wicket, the Stars continued to chase down the target with ease, aided by several dropped catches from Diamonds.Bryony Smith anchored the chase with an unbeaten 60, guiding her side to a six-wicket victory with four overs to spare. The win was the Stars' third in the competition, while Diamonds remain winless after four matches.Corteen-Coleman's performance was the highlight of the match, showcasing her immense potential as a future star of English cricket. Her ability to bowl with accuracy, variation, and pace proved too much for Diamonds, who were unable to recover from her devastating spell.

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.

Lancashire Thunder's impressive season continued as they overcame the previously undefeated Central Sparks by three wickets in their Charlotte Edwards Cup match at Emirates Old Trafford.Thunder's bowlers set the tone for the victory, restricting Sparks to a modest 121 for 8 in their 20 overs. Phoebe Graham and Fi Morris were the standout performers, claiming three wickets each.In reply, Thunder chased down the target with one over to spare, despite a shaky start. Morris led the way with a crucial 43, while Sparks' bowlers made them fight for every run.Sparks' innings began disastrously as Tara Norris dismissed Chloe Brewer and Davina Perrin with the second and third balls of the match. Abbey Freeborn provided some resistance with a 12-ball 15, but Morris took the next two wickets to leave Sparks reeling at 54 for 5.A rain delay halted play for 25 minutes, but on resumption, Katie George and Charis Paveley revived Sparks' hopes with a 19-run partnership. However, Morris struck again, dismissing George for 17.Emily Arlott and Paveley then combined for a 47-run stand, providing a late boost to Sparks' total. Arlott finished with 28, while Paveley remained unbeaten on 27.Thunder's chase was far from smooth. Emma Lamb was dismissed early, and Georgia Davis claimed two quick wickets to leave Thunder at 42 for 3.Morris and Ailsa Lister steadied the ship with a 38-run partnership, but Morris's dismissal for 43 put Thunder under pressure again.Lister's departure left 24 needed off five overs, but Norris's straight six off Hannah Baker eased the tension. Arlott bowled Norris in the penultimate over, but Graham sealed the win with an edged four off her first ball.

Central Sparks continued their winning streak in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, securing a thrilling three-wicket victory over Northern Diamonds in a rain-affected match at Headingley. Despite losing wickets consistently, Diamonds managed to post a competitive target of 81 from 11 overs, thanks to Erin Burns' impressive 30.Sparks' chase got off to a strong start, but Diamonds' Rachel Slater struck twice in the fourth over to put the visitors under pressure. Courtney Webb's dismissal by Burns left Sparks in a precarious position, but captain Eve Jones remained resolute, guiding her team towards victory.With 15 runs required from the final two overs, Burns caught and bowled Charis Pavely, leaving Sparks needing five from the final over. Georgia Davis stepped up to the plate, hitting a chip down the ground for two runs off the final delivery to seal the victory.Jones' unbeaten 26 proved crucial for Sparks, while Davis' three wickets and two runs from the final ball were equally important. For Diamonds, Burns' 30 and Grace Potts' three wickets were standout performances.The victory marked Sparks' third consecutive win in the tournament, while Diamonds remained winless after three matches. The result highlighted the depth and resilience of Sparks' squad, who have shown their ability to overcome adversity and secure crucial victories.

Sunrisers emerged victorious in their Charlotte Edwards Cup clash against defending champions Southern Vipers, securing a thrilling three-run triumph at Arundel. The victory marked Sunrisers' first in the competition since 2021.Chasing a modest target of 135, Vipers appeared to be cruising towards victory after Australian opener Charli Knott's impressive 41-ball fifty. However, Sunrisers' disciplined bowling and aggressive fielding proved to be the difference-makers.Sophie Munro led the Sunrisers' bowling attack with a superb spell of 4 for 27, while Knott's all-round performance included three wickets. The Vipers' chase faltered as they struggled to maintain the required run rate, despite Knott's early heroics.With 32 runs needed from the final three overs, the match remained in the balance. However, the dismissals of key players Georgia Adams and Freya Davies, followed by Elwiss's departure, put pressure on the Vipers.Emily Windsor's stumping off the last ball of the 18th over left Vipers needing 22 off two. Alice Monaghan's dismissal at the end of the 19th over made the task even more daunting, with 12 runs required from the final over.Earlier, Sunrisers had posted a solid 134 for 5, thanks to a 41-run opening partnership between Grace Scrivens and Joanne Gardner. Gardner's 39-ball 42 included a towering six, but her dismissal triggered a collapse as Vipers took three wickets in quick succession.Knott's impressive fielding and bowling played a crucial role in Vipers' resurgence, but Sunrisers' resilience and determination ultimately proved too much for the defending champions.

The Blaze continued their impressive start to the Charlotte Edwards Cup with a thrilling five-wicket victory over Thunder at Loughborough.Thunder, put into bat, were lifted to a competitive 151 for 6 by a pugnacious fifth-wicket partnership of 73 from 50 balls between Emma Lamb (63*) and Ailsa Lister (44). Grace Ballinger led the Blaze bowling with 2 for 25.In reply, Blaze were guided to victory by a composed 61 from Kathryn Bryce. Mahika Gaur removed both openers early on her way to 3 for 39, but Bryce's timely intervention in the closing overs proved decisive.Thunder's innings began brightly, but they lost early wickets to Ballinger and Lucy Higham. Lamb and Lister then steadied the ship with a rapid half-century stand, but Lister's dismissal triggered a mini-collapse.Blaze's reply also started poorly, with Gaur removing Marie Kelly and Teresa Graves cheaply. However, the Bryce sisters rebuilt the innings with a 47-run partnership before Sarah Bryce departed.Nadine de Klerk provided a brief flurry with 14 from three balls, but her dismissal left Blaze needing 24 from the last four overs. Kathryn Bryce then took charge, smashing three consecutive sixes off Hannah Jones to put her side on the brink of victory.Ella Claridge finished the job with a cameo of 18 not out from 10 balls, securing Blaze's third successive win.

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.

Issy Wong, the 22-year-old England fast bowler, has joined Western Storm on loan for the Charlotte Edwards Cup after being omitted from the Central Sparks team for their first two T20 matches.Wong, who made her England debut in 2022, has struggled for consistency this season, taking only three wickets in five Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy fixtures. She was also a surprise omission from the Sparks' T20 side, despite their winning start to the campaign.The ECB, Wong's primary employer, has approved her loan move to ensure she gains competitive playing time. Storm, who have lost their opening two matches, will welcome Wong's experience and skill.Wong played all three formats for England in 2022 and was one of the stars of the inaugural season of the Women's Premier League (WPL), taking 15 wickets for Mumbai Indians. However, she has since lost her place in England's squads.Wong is expected to play a significant role for Storm, who are without Lauren Filer due to England duty. She will also aim to contribute more with the bat, having batted at No. 8 in 50-over cricket this season.The loan move is a positive step for Wong, who will be eager to regain her form and prove her worth to England. Storm, meanwhile, will hope that Wong can help them turn their fortunes around in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.

Paige Scholfield's scintillating unbeaten 73 propelled South East Stars to a commanding five-wicket victory over Lancashire Thunder in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. The South African all-rounder's career-best T20 knock, studded with 12 fours and a six, guided the hosts to a comfortable chase of 140 with four overs to spare.Thunder's innings got off to a blistering start thanks to Fi Morris' belligerent 41, which included eight boundaries. However, the visitors lost their way after Morris' dismissal, with Tash Farrant's economical spell of 2 for 17 proving pivotal. Emma Lamb's 36 and Georgie Smale's 37 were the only other notable contributions for Thunder.Stars' chase began with a setback as Bryony Smith was caught behind off Tara Norris. Sophia Dunkley and Farrant also departed cheaply, leaving the hosts in a spot of bother at 25 for 3. But Scholfield and Alice Davidson-Richards steadied the ship with a crucial 67-run partnership.Davidson-Richards, who struck a six and three fours, fell for 32, but Scholfield continued to dominate. She found an able ally in Aylish Cranstone, who contributed 24, as the pair added 48 for the fourth wicket.Scholfield reached her half-century in just 32 balls and accelerated thereafter. She smashed a six and two fours off Liberty Heap to bring up the winning runs and seal a comprehensive victory for Stars.