Charlotte Edwards Cup: Central Sparks v Western Storm
REPORT
Georgia Hennessy top scored with 47 as Western Storm beat Central Sparks by seven wickets at New Road Worcester in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
However, Sparks are through to finals day at Northampton next Saturday even if they lose top spot to South East Stars, who play tomorrow, as they are the best second placed team
England keeper-batter Amy Jones top scored for the home side with 63 from 46 balls with nine fours.
It was her third fifty in six innings for the Sparks and she is now the leading scorer in the 2022 competition with 245 runs at a strike rate of 141.61.
But Spinners Claire Nicholas and Sophia Smale had joint figures of 8-0-39-3 to help restrict the Sparks total to a gettable 134-4.
Worcester born Georgia Hennessey, with an unbeaten 47 off 45 balls, and some late hitting by Dani Gibson saw the storm to victory with seven balls to spare.
The Sparks elected to bat on the same hybrid wicket used for yesterday evening’s Vitality Blast match between Worcestershire Rapids and Birmingham Bears which produced over 400 runs.
They suffered an early setback when Izzy Wong holed out to mid on in the second over, from Dani Gibson. The first boundary was not struck until the fourth over when Eve Jones lofted Gibson to the cover boundary. But her second wicket partnership with Amy Jones gradually flourished and added 65 in 9.1 overs.
Smale broke the stand when Eve Jones went for a mighty blow and was bowled for 27 with the total 70-2 in the 11th over.
Amy Jones reached an excellent half century from 40 balls when she swept Gibson for her seventh boundary. Her classy effort came to an end when she attempted a hit over mid wicket and was also bowled.
Abigail Freeborn struck the only six of the innings over long off against Hennessy before being stumped off Nicholas in the penultimate over.
Fi Morris got the Storm innings off to an ideal start with two boundaries in an opening over from Grace Potts costing 13 runs.
Morris was then bowled by a no ball from the first delivery by Wong but failed to take advantage and was caught at point in Potts’ third over.
Emily Arlott came into the attack and had Sophie Luff caught behind but Hennessy and Fran Wilson added 57 in 8.1 overs.
Eve Jones took a fine catch running back from mid off to break the stand by dismissing Wilson off Emily Arlott. But Gibson came in to strike an unbeaten 24 off just 14 balls including a huge six over mid wicket off Liz Russell and settle the issue.
At the close of play, Hennessy said: “We thought they were just under par with their score. That was the feeling in the dressing room. With their batting line up, we were really chuffed with that.
“The wicket was a bit slow but played quite well. It was a happy changing room at half time. We just tried to go out there with the intent we do and luckily it came off and it was lovely to stand at the non striker’s end and see Gibbo (Dani Gibson) finished things off the way she did.
“The spinners (Claire Nicholas and Sophia Smale) did a great job, controlled the game and bowled wicket to wicket and that is something we’ve really been working on and it came off today.
“With our squad and team, the T20 competition is something we could have done quite well in but we’ve just underperformed slightly.”
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Central Sparks in the Charlotte Edwards Cup at New Road, Worcester today (Saturday June 4th).
This T20 match will get underway at 2:30pm.
Tickets for this match are still available.
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EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CHARLOTTE EDWARDS CUP
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
This match will be streamed live and you can keep up to date via the Western Storm website.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides met earlier in the competition, with Central Sparks coming out on top by 20 runs.
Western Storm won the toss and elected to bowl.
Amy Jones and Abigail Freeborn both made 52 as Sparks reached 156 for four.
Sophie Luff top scored with 43 in the Storm reply but in the end the home side were restricted to 136 for six.
TEAM NEWS
A starting XI will be named from the following players: Sophie Luff (c), Heather Knight, Fran Wilson, Fi Morris, Katie George, Georgia Hennessy, Claire Nicholas, Danielle Gibson, Nat Wraith, Alex Griffiths, Nicole Harvey, Lauren Parfitt, Lauren Filer, Mollie Robbins, Sophia Smale, Niamh Holland and Bethan Gammon.
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the fixture, Sophie Luff said: “As professional players we want to be playing at the best venues and on the best wickets. We’ve had our last couple of games at Taunton and Bristol and had a good following, so hopefully it’ll be the same at New Road. I’ve not actually played at Worcester before, so I’m looking forward to the weekend.
“Sparks are a quality side and they are top of the table. We obviously can’t qualify now, but we will be looking to cause an upset. We want to finish the group stage in as positive a way as possible and get another win on the board.
“This is another opportunity for the girls to put their hands up and pull on a Western Storm shirt. There’s competition for places within our squad and it’s another chance to impress selectors and to get people talking about you. I’ll encourage the girls to go out there and express themselves.”
THE OPPOSITION
CENTRAL SPARKS
Coach: Lloyd Tennant
Capt: Evelyn Jones
Key players: Issy Wong. The 19-year-old is one of the brightest talents in the country right now. Having been part of Knowle & Dorridge CC for several years, Issy became the first girl to make the Shrewsbury School senior team and, at just 17, was selected to be part of the 12-player England Academy squad for 2019-20.
Her genuine pace, and X-factor makes her stand out from the crowd and she became the youngest player in the Kia Super League in 2019, playing for Southern Vipers.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are attending the match please visit the Worcestershire CCC website for further matchday information.
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