Cricket

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.

Sunrisers' Flo Miller played a pivotal role in securing a thrilling three-wicket victory over defending champions Southern Vipers in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Miller's unbeaten 47 from 59 balls proved crucial as Sunrisers chased down a challenging target of 212 at Radlett.Vipers, led by Georgia Elwiss' 53, posted a competitive total of 211 for 9. However, Sunrisers' bowlers, particularly Nic Hancock (3-45), kept the visitors in check throughout the innings.In response, Sunrisers faced an early setback, losing two wickets to run-outs. But Jodi Grewcock (56) and Amara Carr (42) steadied the ship with a 78-run partnership.Charli Knott's off-spin proved effective, dismissing Carr and Mady Villiers to leave Sunrisers in a precarious position at 138 for 6. However, Miller and Jo Gardner (20) combined for a crucial 60-run stand, bringing the target within reach.Despite Gardner's dismissal, Miller remained composed, hitting the winning run with three balls to spare. Her innings included a crucial boundary off Mary Taylor and a four from Hancock.Sunrisers' victory propelled them back to the top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy table, while Vipers suffered their first defeat of the season.

In a thrilling encounter at Beckenham, Northern Diamonds emerged victorious over South East Stars by a narrow margin of three runs in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Despite a valiant century from Sophia Dunkley, the Stars fell agonizingly short of what would have been a record-breaking run chase.The Diamonds, batting first, posted a formidable total of 311 for 9. Hollie Armitage (66), Bess Heath (63), and Sterre Kalis (52) all contributed significant half-centuries. However, a devastating spell from Phoebe Franklin, who claimed three wickets for three runs in six balls, restricted the Diamonds' progress.In response, the Stars got off to a shaky start, losing Tash Farrant early. Dunkley, who had been omitted from England's squad to face Pakistan, showcased her class with a magnificent 130 from 136 deliveries. She formed a crucial partnership with Bryony Smith (52), but the Stars' hopes were dashed in the final over.With just four balls remaining, Dunkley was inexplicably run out by Erin Burns after failing to ground her bat. Bethan Miles was unable to hit a boundary off the last delivery, leaving the Stars three runs short of their target.The Diamonds' victory was a testament to their resilience and depth. Armitage, Heath, and Kalis provided a solid foundation with their half-centuries, while Jess Woolston's unbeaten 23 helped push the total past 300.For the Stars, Dunkley's century was a standout performance, but it was ultimately not enough to secure victory. Phoebe Franklin's three-wicket haul and Aylish Cranstone's 41 were also notable contributions.The match was a thrilling spectacle that showcased the high quality of women's cricket in England. The Diamonds' victory keeps them in contention for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy title, while the Stars will be determined to bounce back in their remaining matches.

In a thrilling encounter at Trent Bridge, The Blaze emerged victorious over Western Storm in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, thanks to a magnificent unbeaten century from South African all-rounder Nadine de Klerk.Chasing a challenging target of 275, The Blaze found themselves in a precarious position at 137 for 6. However, de Klerk and wicketkeeper Ella Claridge forged an unbreakable 139-run partnership to guide their team to a four-wicket victory with 12 balls to spare.De Klerk, who has been in impressive form for The Blaze this season, played a captain's knock, striking 106 runs off 112 deliveries, including 12 boundaries and a six. Her innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, as she punished any loose deliveries with clinical precision.Claridge, who was making her first half-century in women's regional cricket, provided excellent support to de Klerk, scoring an unbeaten 64 runs off 75 balls. Her innings was characterized by a combination of power and finesse, as she found the gaps with ease and kept the scoreboard ticking over.Earlier, Western Storm had posted a competitive total of 275, thanks to a career-best 73 from Natasha Wraith. The wicketkeeper-batter shared a crucial 93-run partnership with skipper Sophie Luff, who contributed 37 runs. Chloe Skelton's unbeaten 29 helped Storm add valuable runs towards the end of their innings.The Blaze captain, Kirstie Gordon, was the pick of the bowlers for The Blaze, taking 4 for 40. Her left-arm spin proved to be a handful for the Storm batters, as she consistently found the right length and line.The victory was a significant one for The Blaze, who had lost four of their previous five matches. It also marked a return to form for de Klerk, who had struggled for runs in recent games.

Thunder's resilience was tested to the limit as they narrowly escaped with a one-wicket victory over The Blaze in a thrilling Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy encounter. Bolstered by the return of four England players, Thunder looked poised for a comfortable win after a solid start. However, a dramatic collapse saw them lose six wickets for 39 runs, giving The Blaze a glimmer of hope.England A batter Seren Smale (58) and opener Emma Lamb (44) had provided a solid foundation for Thunder, guiding them to 89 without loss in 15 overs. But the Blaze spinners, led by Kirstie Gordon (3-23) and Lucy Higham (3-28), fought back valiantly, exploiting the conditions to restrict Thunder's scoring.As the wickets tumbled, it was left to last-wicket pair Phoebe Graham and Hannah Jones to hold their nerve and guide Thunder to victory. Jones struck the winning boundary in the 45th over, securing a hard-fought triumph.Earlier, The Blaze had been bowled out for 174 in 46.4 overs, with England's Mahika Gaur (3-33) and Jones (3-37) sharing the spoils. Gordon's 43 provided some resistance, but it was ultimately not enough to prevent Thunder from claiming their second win of the campaign.

South East Stars emerged victorious in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash against Sunrisers in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, securing a commanding five-wicket victory at Northampton.Despite being omitted from the England squad for the upcoming Pakistan series, Sophia Dunkley responded with a scintillating 67 off 89 deliveries, anchoring the Stars' chase of 223. Brilliantly supported by Alice Davidson-Richards' destructive 50, the pair forged a formidable 105-run partnership for the second wicket.Skipper Bryony Smith laid the foundation with a 53-run opening stand alongside Tash Farrant, setting the tone for the Stars' pursuit. Dunkley, known for her aggressive style, showcased her versatility with exquisite timing and placement, keeping the scoreboard ticking.Sunrisers, who had won the toss and elected to bat, failed to capitalize on their advantage. Alexa Stonehouse, Davidson-Richards, and Kalea Moore each claimed two wickets, restricting Sunrisers to 222 for nine. Flo Miller top-scored with 30, but several batters made promising starts before succumbing to soft dismissals.In the Stars' innings, Smith played an aggressive hand, driving boundaries with ease. Farrant contributed 20 as an opener before being dismissed by Jodi Grewcock. Smith's departure brought Dunkley to the crease, who looked in fine touch from the outset.Davidson-Richards joined Dunkley in a destructive partnership, smashing boundaries and bringing up Stars' 100. However, she fell for 50, edging behind to Amara Carr. Phoebe Franklin stepped up to the plate, hitting boundaries and remaining calm under pressure.Despite Dunkley's dismissal with Stars on 205 for four, Franklin remained composed and guided her team to victory with 13 balls to spare.

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.

Northern Diamonds emerged victorious in a thrilling Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy match against Central Sparks at Edgbaston, securing a narrow one-run victory in a nail-biting finish.Chasing a target of 216, Sparks looked poised to snatch victory in the final over, needing just four runs with three wickets in hand. However, Diamonds captain Hollie Armitage delivered an ice-nerved performance, dismissing all three remaining batters to secure her side's third win of the season.Diamonds had earlier posted a competitive 216, with Erin Burns leading the way with a resilient 49. Abi Glen provided a late cameo with an unbeaten 31, while Sparks' disciplined bowling attack shared the wickets.Sparks' chase got off to a solid start as Eve Jones and Abi Freeborn forged a century partnership for the second wicket. However, the Diamonds bowlers gradually tightened their grip, and the last nine wickets fell for just 103 runs.Katie George and Bethan Ellis briefly threatened to guide Sparks to victory, but Armitage's heroics in the final over proved decisive. She dismissed George for 35, trapped Ria Fackrell lbw, and ran out Grace Potts to seal the win.The match showcased the depth and competitiveness of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, with both teams displaying resilience and determination throughout. Diamonds' victory was a testament to their ability to perform under pressure, while Sparks will rue the missed opportunity to secure a valuable win.

Western Storm's remarkable batting performance propelled them to an unlikely victory over South East Stars in a thrilling Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy encounter. Despite facing a daunting target of 299 in a rain-shortened contest, Storm reached 236-5 before the weather intervened, securing an eight-run triumph via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern Method.Sophie Luff and Fran Wilson played pivotal roles for Storm, anchoring the chase with assured half-centuries. Luff's 59 off 73 balls and Wilson's 65 off 52 balls formed the backbone of a 131-run partnership that put Storm firmly in contention. Nat Wraith's unbeaten 40 further boosted their hopes.Earlier, South East Stars had set a formidable total of 298-5, thanks to Paige Scholfield's 74, Alice Davidson-Richards' 65, and Aylish Cranstone's unbeaten 63. The trio's aggressive batting put Storm under pressure, but the home side's bowlers fought back to restrict the visitors in the latter stages.Storm's victory marks their first over Stars this season and their second consecutive win. They now have an opportunity to challenge for the title when they host Southern Vipers on Saturday.