Cricket

Southern Vipers, the reigning champions of the Charlotte Edwards Cup, showcased their dominance with a resounding 113-run victory over South East Stars. Maia Bouchier, the 25-year-old opener, led the charge with a career-best 93, propelling Vipers to a formidable total of 179 for 5.Bouchier's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as she dispatched the Stars' bowlers to all corners of the ground. She reached her half-century in just 27 balls, setting the tone for a high-scoring affair. Skipper Georgia Adams contributed 39, while Freya Kemp added a quickfire 30 at the end.In response, South East Stars' chase crumbled under the weight of Vipers' spin attack. Charlie Dean, Linsey Smith, and Charli Knott combined to take nine wickets, with Dean claiming 3 for 5 and Smith 3 for 12. Bryony Smith, the Stars' skipper, was the only batter to offer any resistance, scoring 22 before being stumped.The Stars' innings never recovered from the early loss of three wickets in the powerplay. Paige Schofield, Tash Farrant, and Kalea Moore all fell cheaply, leaving the Stars reeling at 44 for 6. Knott wrapped up the innings in the 14th over, dismissing Alice Davidson-Richards and Emily Jones in quick succession.The victory ensures that Southern Vipers will enter Finals Day in Derby on Saturday as one of the favorites to retain their title. Their dominant performance against South East Stars serves as a warning to their rivals that they are a force to be reckoned with.

Central Sparks emerged victorious in their clash against Southern Vipers in the Charlotte Edwards Cup at New Road, Worcester. Despite both teams already securing their spots in the Finals Day, Sparks showcased their bowling prowess, restricting Vipers to a mere 98 runs.With key bowlers Hannah Baker and Emily Arlott rested, Sparks' bowling attack proved equally formidable. Grace Potts, Katie George, Bethan Ellis, and Ria Fackrell each claimed two wickets, preventing any Vipers batter from reaching the 20-run mark. Rhianna Southby's 19 runs from number eight stood as the highest score for the visitors.In response, Sparks chased down the target with ease, reaching 99 for 5 with 31 balls to spare. Davina Perrin's assertive 26 from 17 balls set the tone for the chase, while Amy Jones' 26 from 29 guided the team to victory.Vipers' innings began promisingly, with Maia Bouchier hitting a six off Potts. However, the momentum shifted after Danni Wyatt's dismissal, and the innings spiraled downward. Sparks' disciplined bowling attack kept the Vipers batters in check, with only six fours and one six scored throughout the innings.Sparks' reply was equally impressive. Ami Campbell's early fours set the pace, and Perrin's aggressive approach kept the pressure on Vipers. Despite losing a few wickets, Jones' powerful shot into the Basil D'Oliveira Stand and Courtney Webb's steady contribution ensured Sparks' comfortable victory.

Southern Vipers' Charlie Dean orchestrated a remarkable comeback victory against Northern Diamonds in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, securing a crucial win that bolsters their chances of reaching the finals day.Chasing a modest target of 146, Vipers found themselves in dire straits at 29 for 4. However, Dean, celebrating her 22nd birthday, played a scintillating knock of 64 off 38 deliveries, guiding her team to a five-wicket triumph.Dean's innings was a masterclass in aggressive batting, peppered with nine boundaries. She struck three consecutive fours off Katherine Fraser to reach her maiden Charlotte Edwards Cup fifty in just 29 balls. Her match-winning knock eclipsed her previous best of 60 for the region.Northern Diamonds had earlier posted a competitive 145 for 4, thanks to a classy 69 from Hollie Armitage. The birthday girl anchored the innings, sharing half-century partnerships with Sterre Kalis and Bess Heath.Despite the early wickets, Vipers' experienced lineup, featuring eight England internationals, struggled to gain momentum. Maia Bouchier and Charli Knott fell cheaply to Rachel Slater, while Erin Burns' spin proved troublesome for Georgia Adams and Freya Kemp.Danni Wyatt provided some stability with a 28-ball 28, but it was Dean's heroics that turned the tide. With Elwiss providing support, Dean took the game by the scruff of the neck, hitting the winning runs with seven balls to spare.Vipers' victory keeps them in contention for a place in the finals day, while Diamonds' hopes of qualifying are dashed. The defending champions now have five wins from six matches, while Diamonds remain winless after three games.

In a thrilling Charlotte Edwards Cup encounter at Bristol's Seat Unique Stadium, Southern Vipers emerged victorious over Western Storm by 19 runs, thanks to a superb all-round performance from Georgia Adams.Adams, the Vipers captain, led the charge with a 40-ball 55, including six fours and a six. She formed a crucial 55-run partnership with Charli Knott (37) to help the Vipers post a competitive 137-9 after losing the toss.Western Storm's chase got off to a shaky start as they lost Nat Wraith and Fran Wilson in quick succession to Linsey Smith's slow left-arm bowling. However, Heather Knight, the England captain, kept Storm in the hunt with a brilliant 69 from 56 balls.But Adams proved to be a thorn in Storm's side, claiming Knight's wicket in the penultimate over. She finished with figures of 2 for 23, while fellow spinner Charlie Dean took 3 for 24.Lauren Filer produced her best performance of the season for Storm, taking 3 for 8 in four overs. Amanda Jade Wellington also impressed with figures of 3 for 17, but it was the Vipers' spinners who ultimately made the difference.Knott, Dean, and Smith all played crucial roles in restricting Storm's scoring, keeping the defending champions on course for a place in the knockout stages.

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.

South East Stars continued their dominance in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, securing a six-wicket victory over defending champions Southern Vipers at the Kia Oval. Leg-spinner Dani Gregory played a pivotal role, dismantling Vipers' middle order with a spell of 3 for 23.Vipers' innings got off to a shaky start as Alexa Stonehouse's accuracy kept them in check. Charli Knott departed cheaply, followed by Ella McCaughan. Georgia Adams provided some momentum with two boundaries, but her dismissal triggered a collapse. Gregory struck three quick wickets, including Georgia Elwiss, who was bowled attempting to swing across the line.Alice Monaghan and Rhianna Southby staged a late fightback with an unbroken 69-run partnership, but their efforts proved insufficient. Vipers posted 142 for 6, a total that seemed within reach for Stars.Paige Scholfield and Sophia Dunkley opened the chase cautiously, but gradually accelerated. Dunkley reached her half-century from 38 balls, while Scholfield followed suit from 33 deliveries. Despite losing Smith and Dunkley in quick succession, Stars remained in control.Phoebe Franklin sealed the victory with 11 balls to spare, securing Stars' fourth win in five games. Vipers, on the other hand, face an uphill battle to qualify for the knockout stage.Gregory's exceptional spell and the solid batting performances of Dunkley and Scholfield proved decisive in Stars' triumph. Vipers will need to regroup and find their form if they want to keep their title hopes alive.

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.

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.

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.