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August 30, 2024
Central Sparks caused a major upset in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy by defeating the Southern Vipers, the league leaders, by seven wickets at New Road in Worcester.
The Southern Vipers, missing several key players due to international duties, were bowled out for 183 in 48.4 overs. Georgia Elwiss scored a strong 64 not out, but faced tough bowling from Emily Arlott (4 for 15) and Charis Pavely (4 for 31).
In response, Central Sparks easily chased down the target, reaching 184 for 3 with 64 balls to spare. A solid opening partnership of 95 runs between Eve Jones (54) and Ami Campbell (48) set the stage for the win.
The Vipers made a strong start with an opening partnership of 64 runs between Rhianna Southby (36) and Ella McCaughan (26). However, their innings faltered when Emily Arlott took control. She dismissed Southby with a top-edged pull shot and then bowled McCaughan with an inswinger. After Georgia Adams and Emily Windsor were both out to Arlott, with Adams caught behind and Windsor also edged out, the Vipers had lost four wickets for just 28 runs in 57 balls.
Georgia Elwiss fought hard for the Vipers, but struggled as the Sparks’ spinners dominated. Hannah Baker dismissed Abi Norgrove lbw, and Charis Pavely bowled Nancy Harman with a superb delivery. Pavely also took two more wickets quickly, dismissing Mary Taylor lbw and Freya Davies bowled. Ava Lee managed to support Elwiss for 36 more runs before being out after 28 balls. Despite Elwiss’s efforts, the Vipers fell short of a competitive total.
The Vipers needed early breakthroughs, but Sparks’ openers, Eve Jones and Ami Campbell, quickly scored 50 runs in 12 overs. They built a solid partnership of 95 runs in just 19.3 overs before Campbell was out, caught off a low return catch.
Davina Perrin was out caught by the wicketkeeper, and the Vipers’ captain, Georgia Adams, then removed Jones with a catch at long-on. Despite these wickets, the Sparks were close to victory.
Katie George provided a crucial boost with an unbeaten 38 from 29 balls, helping the Sparks secure the win. The Vipers now face challenges to qualify, while the Sparks reflect on what could have been if they had maintained this level of performance throughout the season.
Warwickshire is in a strong position for a big win against Kent in the Vitality Championship at Edgbaston.
Will Rhodes, playing his second-to-last home game for Warwickshire, scored a brilliant 201 runs from 295 balls, including 32 fours. His innings helped Warwickshire post 420 runs, giving them a significant first innings lead of 264 runs. Kent, in their second innings, are 157 for 3, trailing by 107 runs. Warwickshire’s Hannon-Dalby has taken three crucial wickets in Kent’s second innings.
Rhodes’s impressive performance not only puts Warwickshire in control but also shows that Durham, where he will move on a three-year contract, will be getting a top player in his prime.
Will Rhodes’s six-and-a-half-hour innings laid a strong foundation for Warwickshire to push for their first championship win of the season. With a 264-run lead from the first innings, Kent ended the second day at 157 for 3, trailing by 107 runs. Olly Hannon-Dalby, who took 3 wickets for 26 runs, now has 43 wickets for the season.
Kent’s challenges keep growing. Their bowlers, led by George Garrett (3 for 76) and Matt Parkinson (3 for 94), were further weakened by Grant Stewart’s shoulder injury and Tawanda Muyeye’s knee injury, which kept him out of the batting order.
On the second morning, Warwickshire resumed at 207 for 3, and Rhodes quickly built on his innings, reaching a century off 151 balls with several boundaries. Jacob Bethell was out, caught by wicketkeeper Harry Finch off Charlie Stobo, but Rhodes and Barnard added a 100-run partnership.
Kent’s problems worsened when Stewart injured his shoulder on his first delivery after lunch and had to leave the field. The fifth-wicket stand between Rhodes and Barnard reached 145 runs before Barnard was dismissed. Warwickshire then aggressively finished their innings, with Michael Burgess, Michael Booth, and Michael Rae all contributing quick runs. Garrett finally ended Warwickshire’s innings by dismissing Rhodes and Hannon-Dalby, who was bowled out.
After tea, Kent began their second innings with 43 overs to bat but quickly lost Ben Compton, who was caught behind by wicketkeeper Burgess off a wide delivery from Hannon-Dalby. Despite this early setback, Harry Finch and Daniel Bell-Drummond built a solid partnership, adding 116 runs in 29 overs.
However, luck was not on Kent’s side in the final overs. Bell-Drummond was given out lbw to a ball that seemed to be heading well down the leg side. Finch, who scored 38 runs from 96 balls, was also out under controversial circumstances, caught at slip off his shoulder. It seems Kent is facing a string of bad luck at the moment.