August 9, 2024

Lewis Goldsworthy Leads Somerset to Victory in Top of Group A clash

In a dominant performance, Somerset chased down Worcestershire’s target of 263 with 33 balls to spare, winning by five wickets. Somerset, led by Lewis Goldsworthy’s 95 and James Rew’s 70, scored 267 for 5. Worcestershire had earlier been bowled out for 263 in 47.3 overs, with Tom Taylor top-scoring with 73. Ben Green took 3 for 58 for Somerset.

Goldsworthy’s innings included nine fours and a six, and he was supported by Andy Umeed, who added 44. Fateh Singh also impressed with the ball, taking 4 for 52. Worcestershire’s openers, Ed Pollock and Gareth Roderick, started well, reaching 55 in the eighth over, but Pollock was dismissed for 30 after hitting a catch to deep square off Ned Leonard.

Roderick was in good form, scoring 35 off 41 balls, but his innings ended when he played a careless shot and was caught at fine leg. Worcestershire, at 68 for 2 in the 13th over, needed to rebuild.

Jake Libby and Rob Jones tried to stabilize the innings but both fell to Ben Green’s bowling. Jones, on 14, misjudged a catch to mid-wicket, and Libby, who had made 24, guided a short ball straight to Goldsworthy at point. Rehaan Edavalath also fell cheaply, offering a return catch to Jack Leach, leaving Worcestershire at 117 for 5. Ethan Brookes, after hitting four fours, was dismissed by a catch off Goldsworthy. Fateh Singh, dropped by Umeed earlier, hit a six before being bowled by Archie Vaughan.

Tom Taylor and Tommy Sturgess provided some late resistance, with Taylor hitting a half-century and Sturgess run out in a mix-up. Despite their efforts, Worcestershire were all out for 263.

Somerset’s chase began poorly when George Thomas was dismissed for a duck. However, Goldsworthy and Andy Umeed quickly took control, ensuring Somerset’s victory with ease.

Somerset built a solid partnership of 96 runs for the second wicket in 18.4 overs before Andy Umeed was caught at deep square for 44 while attempting a slog-sweep off Fateh Singh. Lewis Goldsworthy reached his fifty in 63 balls, hitting six fours.

James Rew then played some impressive shots, including two exquisite drives through extra cover and straight. Goldsworthy also hit a six at mid-wicket off Tom Hinley, and together they put on a 50-run stand in ten overs. Rew reached his fifty off 43 balls, marking his fourth half-century in seven Group A matches. Their partnership totaled 100 runs off 88 balls.

Rew was dismissed for a catch at cover while attempting a reverse sweep, and Singh followed up by removing Goldsworthy, bowled by a full delivery, and Sean Dickson, caught at slip, in the same over. Despite these setbacks, Somerset only needed 45 runs, and 18-year-old Archie Vaughan’s quick 31 off 24 balls ensured a comfortable victory.

Georgia Redmayne Shows Class as Spirit See Off Originals

Georgia Redmayne’s first half-century of the season led London Spirit to a comfortable victory over Manchester Originals, securing the final spot in the Eliminator. Spirit chased down the Originals’ total of 112 for 7, reaching 115 for 2 with eight balls to spare at Lord’s.

Redmayne scored an impressive 66 not out from 59 balls, while Heather Knight contributed a steady 29 from 27 balls. Their partnership followed the early dismissals of Meg Lanning and Cordelia Griffith. Manchester Originals, who had a disappointing innings and missed several key catches, were unable to defend their modest total.

Earlier, Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn excelled with the ball, limiting Manchester Originals to just 112 runs. The Spirit’s fielding was also outstanding, highlighted by a brilliant caught-and-bowled by Sarah Glenn and a superb catch in the deep by Cordelia Griffith to dismiss Emma Lamb.

The Originals struggled as wickets fell frequently, with Kathryn Bryce being the top scorer with 32 off 27 balls. “It was a little bit of a tricky wicket. We bowled really well to keep them to that total.

“I did not start great but it was nice to get some time in the middle in the end. I tried to stay calm and play to my strengths – you try to get one or two away, and then be on your way.

“As a team we started the competition well with two wins, we had a bit of a wobble but we have been playing pretty good cricket. This is our last game here, so we wanted to put on a show and get a win.”