Cricket

Western Storm and Thunder's Charlotte Edwards Cup Hopes Drenched by RainHeavy rainfall in Cardiff has extinguished the hopes of Western Storm and Thunder in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. The two teams, both in need of victories to advance in the tournament, were left frustrated as their match at Sophia Gardens was abandoned without a single ball being bowled.The persistent downpour made it impossible to remove the covers, forcing umpires Anna Harris and Ant Harris to call off the game at 3:25 pm. With Glamorgan and Hampshire Hawks scheduled to play a Vitality Blast South Group fixture at 6:30 pm, there was no window of opportunity for the women's match to resume.Thunder, currently in fifth place, remain behind Southern Vipers and Central Sparks, who have a game in hand. Western Storm, languishing at the bottom of the table, are effectively out of contention for the knockout stages.Thunder will look to improve their fortunes when they face Central Sparks at Edgbaston on Saturday. Western Storm, meanwhile, will aim to secure their second win of the campaign against Northern Diamonds at Headingley on Sunday.The abandonment of the match highlights the challenges faced by outdoor sports in the face of inclement weather. With the Charlotte Edwards Cup reaching its crucial stages, teams will be hoping for more favorable conditions in the remaining fixtures.

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.

The Blaze, led by an impressive bowling performance from Australian allrounder Heather Graham, continued their dominance in the Charlotte Edwards Cup with a seven-wicket victory over Western Storm. Graham, making her debut for the East Midlands side, claimed 4 for 10, while offspinner Lucy Higham (2 for 18) and left-arm strike bowler Grace Ballinger (1 for 17) also contributed to Storm's dismissal for 99.England skipper Heather Knight top-scored for Storm with 20, but the Blaze's bowling attack proved too strong. The Blaze chased down their target with 35 balls to spare, thanks largely to Scottish internationals Kathryn Bryce (46) and Sarah Bryce. Graham capped her impressive afternoon by hitting the winning boundary.The Blaze, who lost only to Southern Vipers in last season's final, now have six wins from six in the 2024 edition and lead the points table. They remain on track for a return to finals day at Derby on 22 June.Storm skipper Sophie Luff opted to bat first but lost two wickets for 29 in the powerplay overs. Ballinger dismissed Nat Wraith, while Graham claimed the wicket of Fran Wilson. Knight made a positive start but was bowled by Gordon. Legspinner Josie Groves had Amanda-Jade Wellington leg before, leaving Storm at 58 for 4 after 10 overs.Higham bowled Alex Griffiths and had Luff caught at mid-off, while Issy Wong was run out. Graham returned to take three wickets in six deliveries, dismissing Smale, Skelton, and Anderson.Wong removed Tammy Beaumont with the last ball of the opening over of the Blaze's chase, and Teresa Graves was dismissed shortly after. However, Kathryn Bryce and Sarah Bryce put on a 67-run partnership for the third wicket. Filer eventually dismissed Kathryn Bryce, but Graham hit the winning boundary off the first ball of the 15th over to seal the victory.

Western Storm's impressive bowling performance led them to a 28-run victory over Sunrisers in a low-scoring Charlotte Edwards Cup match at the Cooper Associates Ground in Taunton.England Under-19 spinner Sophia Smale played a pivotal role, claiming three wickets in a devastating eight-ball burst and taking two catches. On-loan seamer Ellie Anderson finished with remarkable figures of 4 for 9 from 2.4 overs, while England international Lauren Filer took 3 for 19.Chasing a target of 135, Sunrisers were bowled out for 106 in 17.4 overs. Storm's skipper Sophie Luff top-scored with 41, sharing a crucial 43-run partnership with Amanda-Jade Wellington (20).Storm's innings began with a promising opening stand of 25 between Nat Wraith and Emma Corney, but Corney's dismissal for 10 gave Sunrisers a breakthrough. Fran Wilson and Wraith advanced the score to 37 for 1 at the end of the powerplay, but Sophie Munro struck twice in quick succession to reduce Storm to 44 for 3.Wellington and Luff rebuilt the innings, with Luff reaching 41 before being dismissed. Alex Griffiths and Issy Wong fell cheaply, leaving Storm in danger of falling short. However, Luff's spirited innings carried them to a respectable total of 134 for 8.Filer struck early for Storm, removing Sunrisers skipper Grace Scrivens in the first over. Alice Macleod and Jo Gardner also departed cheaply, leaving Sunrisers reeling at 22 for 3.Smale then took control, claiming three wickets in eight balls to reduce Sunrisers to 59 for 6 at the halfway point. Miller and Carr added 35 for the seventh wicket, but Anderson and Filer wrapped up the tail to secure Storm's first win in five games.

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.

Torrential rain has washed out the Bank Holiday Monday clash between South East Stars and Western Storm at Beckenham, leaving both sides with two points.Only six overs were possible in the match, with Western Storm reaching 38 for 3 before the heavens opened, drenching the outfield and leaving pools of water on the bowlers' run-ups.Umpires James Tredwell and Fiona Richards gave the ground every chance to recover, calling for a 4.45pm inspection, but a further shower left them no alternative but to abandon the game.The result means that South East Stars remain unbeaten in the competition, while Western Storm are yet to win.In the little play before the rain, there was a lovely moment for Tilly Corteen-Coleman and a dazzling piece of fielding from Stars' all-rounder Paige Scholfield.England U19 slow left-arm spinner Corteen-Coleman, currently on a pay as you play contract with Stars, gave the hosts the perfect start, bowling Alex Griffiths with the first ball of the game.Shortly afterwards, Tash Farrant removed Emma Corney, the batter's attempted pull shot coming off the toe end of the bat for Phoebe Franklin to take a good catch falling forward at mid-wicket.Then just before the rain arrived, Niamh Holland, who'd struck some fine boundaries square of the wicket, chanced her arm on a short single to Scholfield and paid the price, the South African pulling off a direct hit despite only having one stump to aim at.

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.

Central Sparks emerged victorious in their Charlotte Edwards Cup clash against Western Storm, securing a 21-run triumph at the Cooper Associates Ground in Taunton. Abbey Freeborn's scintillating half-century propelled Sparks to a formidable total of 168 for 6, while Katie George's impressive bowling figures of 4 for 36 stifled Storm's chase.Freeborn, the 27-year-old opener, dominated the Sparks innings with a swashbuckling 68 off just 40 deliveries. She formed crucial partnerships with Davina Perrin (26) and Eve Jones (38), laying the foundation for a strong total. Chloe Skelton and Amanda-Jade Wellington were the pick of the Storm bowlers, claiming two and one wickets respectively.In response, Western Storm's Dani Gibson threatened to turn the tide with a quick-fire 40, but George's timely intervention removed her and sparked a collapse. Grace Potts also chipped in with three wickets, as Storm were dismissed for 147 in 18.3 overs.Freeborn's aggressive batting set the tone for Sparks' innings, as she punished anything short or wide. Perrin and Jones provided valuable support, contributing to a solid start and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Storm's bowlers struggled to contain the Sparks batters, with Freeborn reaching her half-century in just 34 balls.Gibson's early onslaught gave Storm hope, but George's wickets proved decisive. The former Storm all-rounder bowled Gibson and Luff in quick succession, while Potts' wickets of Griffiths and Smale further dented Storm's chances. Wellington's unbeaten 31 was in vain, as Sparks secured a comfortable victory.

In a thrilling encounter at the Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol, South East Stars emerged victorious over Western Storm by a narrow four-run margin in their Charlotte Edwards Cup opener.Chasing a modest target of 133, Storm's hopes were dashed in the final over by the brilliance of Tash Farrant. The former England allrounder conceded just two runs from the final two deliveries, including the crucial wicket of Alex Griffiths, to secure the win for Stars.Earlier, Amanda-Jade Wellington had starred for Storm with a superb bowling performance, claiming 3 for 22 from four overs. Her efforts, coupled with a catch and a run-out, restricted Stars to 132 for 9. Aylish Cranstone top-scored for the visitors with a gritty 31, but a middle-overs collapse saw them lose five wickets in quick succession.Storm's reply got off to a solid start thanks to Emma Corney's 37-ball 40. Niamh Holland contributed 32, but the chase faltered in the final over as Griffiths and Sophie Luff were dismissed in quick succession.Stars skipper Bryony Smith had set the tone for her team with an aggressive start, but her dismissal for 16 triggered a collapse. Paige Scholfield and Sophia Dunkley provided some resistance, but Wellington's three wickets in 14 balls put Storm firmly in control.However, Cranstone's spirited 31 kept Stars in the game, and Farrant's heroics in the final over ultimately proved decisive.