Cricket

Northern Diamonds' Sterre Kalis and Phoebe Turner starred in a dominant performance against Lancashire Thunder, securing an 86-run victory and propelling their team to the top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy standings.Kalis notched her maiden List A century, scoring a remarkable 100 runs off 94 deliveries. Her innings, coupled with a 58-run knock from Beth Langston, propelled the Diamonds to a formidable total of 290 for 6.Lancashire Thunder's chase got off to a promising start, with Alice Clarke and Emma Lamb putting on 38 runs in the opening five overs. However, Rachel Slater's double strike, dismissing both batters, halted their momentum.Eve Jones and Seren Smale steadied the Thunder's innings, but their 100-run partnership was broken by Turner, who bowled Smale for 48. Langston then struck twice in a double-wicket maiden, removing Jones and Ellie Threlkeld.Turner continued her impressive spell, claiming the remaining Thunder wickets to finish with a remarkable six for 20. Her performance sealed a five-point victory for the Diamonds, who now sit atop the table with 37 points.Earlier, Lauren Winfield-Hill and Emma Marlow had laid the foundation for the Diamonds' innings with a 95-run opening stand. However, the Thunder fought back, taking two wickets in quick succession.Kalis and Langston then combined for a crucial 111-run partnership, reviving the Diamonds' innings. Kalis reached her century before being dismissed, while Langston contributed a valuable 58.The Diamonds' total proved too much for the Thunder, who were bowled out for 204 despite Jones' 57 runs.

Northern Diamonds emerged victorious in a thrilling Roses T20 clash against Lancashire Thunder, securing a five-wicket triumph at Durham's Seat Unique Riverside. The Diamonds' bowlers orchestrated a remarkable bowling performance, dismissing Thunder for a mere 61 runs, the lowest total in the Charlotte Edwards Cup's four-year history.Scotland's Rachel Slater led the Diamonds' bowling attack with an exceptional three-wicket haul for 12 runs, while Lizzie Scott and Erin Burns also contributed two wickets each. Thunder's batting lineup crumbled under the relentless pressure, with only three batters reaching double figures.In response, the Diamonds faced a challenging start, losing four wickets for 37 runs. However, Rebecca Duckworth's unbeaten 21 guided the hosts to victory with 6.2 overs to spare.The match marked the first of two Roses T20 encounters in as many nights, with the men's teams set to face off at Headingley in the Vitality Blast. The Diamonds' triumph serves as a significant blow to their rivals, setting the stage for an intense battle in the second match.

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.

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.

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.

Lancashire Thunder kicked off their Charlotte Edwards Cup campaign with a resounding eight-wicket victory over Northern Diamonds at Emirates Old Trafford.Mahika Gaur, Fi Morris, and Kate Cross's exceptional bowling restricted Diamonds to a meager 109 for 5 in their 20 overs. Emma Marlow's valiant 47* was the only notable contribution for the visitors.Thunder's chase was equally impressive, reaching the target in just 15 overs. Emma Lamb led the charge with an unbeaten 44, while Seren Smale contributed 30*.Diamonds' innings began disastrously as Leah Dobson and Lauren Winfield-Hill departed cheaply. Hollie Armitage's dismissal left them reeling at 19 for 3. Sterre Kalis and Marlow provided some resistance, but their partnership was broken when Kalis was caught for 16.Marlow found an ally in Katherine Fraser, and the pair added 42 runs to give Diamonds a semblance of respectability. However, the target of 110 was always within Thunder's reach.Lamb and Georgia Voll got Thunder off to a flying start, reaching 56 for 1 in the powerplay. Voll's unfortunate run out slowed the momentum, but Smale's energy kept the chase on track.Thunder secured the victory with 31 balls to spare, earning a bonus point in the process.

Central Sparks' skipper Eve Jones played a heroic innings of 136 not out to guide her team to a thrilling three-wicket victory over Lancashire Thunder in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. The match, played at Emirates Old Trafford, witnessed a remarkable chase by Sparks, who were staring down the barrel of defeat until Jones' late heroics.Thunder got off to a flying start, with openers Emma Lamb and Seren Smale putting on a century partnership for the first wicket. Lamb went on to score a magnificent 107, while Smale contributed 67. The hosts posted a formidable total of 284 for seven, setting Sparks a daunting target.However, Jones had other plans. She played a captain's knock, anchoring the Sparks innings and scoring at a brisk pace. She found support from Australian batter Courtney Webb, who made a crucial 40. The pair put on a 77-run partnership for the third wicket, bringing Sparks back into the game.Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Jones remained unfazed. She hit boundaries at will and kept the scoreboard ticking. With Sparks needing 11 runs off the final over, Jones struck two boundaries off the first two balls to ease the pressure. She then hit the winning runs through point, securing a memorable victory for her team.Jones' unbeaten 136 is the highest score by a woman at Emirates Old Trafford. Her innings was a masterclass in batting, showcasing her skill, determination, and leadership qualities. The victory is a testament to the resilience and fighting spirit of the Central Sparks team.

Lancashire Thunder's Katie Mack and Fi Morris orchestrated a dominant victory over Sunrisers in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, securing a commanding 142-run triumph at Emirates Old Trafford.Mack's scintillating century and a record-breaking 191-run partnership with Morris propelled Thunder to a formidable total of 292 for 5. Despite losing early wickets, the duo's exceptional batting prowess and aggressive running between the wickets proved unstoppable.Mack's innings showcased her versatility, with an array of ramps, sweeps, and late cuts. Morris, on the other hand, displayed her power and finesse, frequently stepping down the pitch to meet the spinners' deliveries. Their partnership surpassed 100 runs, setting a new record for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Morris' dismissal for 89 by Kate Coppack failed to dampen Thunder's momentum. Mack reached her century with a trademark late cut, before being stumped for 100. Ellie Threlkeld and Sophie Ecclestone extended the score to 285, with Ecclestone contributing a breezy 24.Sunrisers faced an insurmountable task in chasing down the target. Kate Cross's economical spell of 5 overs for 8 runs and the wicket of Ariana Dowse set the tone. Grace Scrivens' struggles and the dismissals of Cordelia Griffith and Mady Villiers further hindered their progress.Grewcock provided a glimmer of hope with a resilient 38, but her dismissal by Hannah Jones and the subsequent fall of Florence Miller left Sunrisers reeling. Ecclestone claimed her third wicket with the dismissal of Nicola Hancock, while Cross wrapped up the tail, dismissing Joanne Gardner and Coppack without scoring.Thunder's victory was a testament to the brilliance of Mack and Morris, who laid the foundation for their team's success. Sunrisers, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to overcome their batting woes in their upcoming matches.