Cricket

The Blaze emerged victorious in a thrilling rematch of last season's Charlotte Edwards Cup final, defeating the Southern Vipers by a narrow margin of three runs. Kirstie Gordon played a pivotal role for The Blaze, showcasing her prowess with both bat and ball.After losing eight wickets for just 48 runs, The Blaze faced an uphill battle. However, Gordon and Lucy Higham forged a remarkable ninth-wicket partnership, adding 62 runs to the total. Gordon's 29 and Higham's 36* proved crucial in setting a competitive target of 113 for the Vipers.The Vipers' chase got off to a shaky start as they struggled to find momentum. Gordon's bowling proved effective, claiming two wickets for 13 runs. The Vipers' run rate remained sluggish, and wickets fell at regular intervals.With 10 runs required off the final over, Nadine de Klerk stepped up for The Blaze. She dismissed Rhianna Southby and Emily Windsor, securing a thrilling victory for her team.The Vipers' absence of captain Georgia Adams due to injury did not hinder their bowling performance. Charli Knott and Alice Monaghan wreaked havoc on The Blaze's top order, claiming three wickets each. However, Gordon and Higham's resilience proved too much to overcome.The Blaze's victory marks their second consecutive win in the group stage, while the Vipers remain winless. The match showcased the unpredictable nature of the Charlotte Edwards Cup, with both teams demonstrating their fighting spirit and determination.

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 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 emerged victorious in a thrilling three-wicket triumph over Thunder, extending their winning streak to three matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Nancy Harman played a pivotal role in the victory, guiding her team to the finish line in a tense chase.Thunder, batting first, struggled in the opening Powerplay, losing Shachi Pai early on. However, Seren Smale and Katie Mack steadied the innings with a 94-run partnership. Smale, in particular, showcased her class, reaching her third career fifty and narrowly missing out on a century after being run out on 99.Vipers' bowlers, led by Linsey Smith's economical spell, kept Thunder in check throughout the innings. Smith claimed three wickets for just 19 runs, while Alice Monaghan and Mary Taylor also chipped in with crucial wickets.In response, Vipers' chase got off to a shaky start as Ella McCaughan and Charli Knott departed cheaply. Georgia Adams and Georgia Elwiss then steadied the ship with a solid partnership, but Elwiss's dismissal and Emily Windsor's quick departure put Vipers under pressure.Adams, who reached her 15th half-century, played a crucial knock, but her dismissal left Vipers needing 72 runs with just 39 balls remaining. Harman, Southby, and Monaghan stepped up to the plate, guiding Vipers to victory with three wickets in hand.Harman, in her first appearance of the season, played a match-winning innings, scoring an unbeaten 24 and ensuring Vipers' unbeaten record against Thunder remains intact.

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.

Tash Farrant's remarkable return to cricket propelled South East Stars to a thrilling four-wicket victory over defending champions Southern Vipers in the opening match of the 2024 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Farrant, who had been sidelined for nearly two years with stress fractures of the back, made a career-best 94, sharing a record-breaking 165-run stand with skipper Bryony Smith. The hosts chased down Vipers' competitive total of 273 with just three balls to spare.Vipers got off to a solid start with an 80-run opening partnership between Ella McCaughan and Charli Knott. However, Ryana MacDonald-Gay broke the stand with a stunning catch to dismiss Knott. Georgia Elwiss and Freya Kemp kept the scoreboard ticking, but Bethan Miles and Sophia Dunkley picked up crucial wickets to restrict Vipers to 273.In reply, Farrant and Smith dominated the Stars' innings, putting on a century partnership before Smith was dismissed for 64. Farrant continued to impress, reaching 94 before being trapped lbw by Knott.Dunkley's composed unbeaten 48 guided Stars home amid rising tension. The England batter hit the winning runs with a scrambled leg bye in the final over.Knott was the standout performer for Vipers, taking 2 for 35 and keeping the Stars' batters in check. However, Farrant's brilliance and Dunkley's composure proved too much for the reigning champions.