An unbeaten 76 by Sophie Luff capped an excellent fightback by Western Storm. The team made 252 for 6 from their 50 overs, After a superb exhibition of spin bowling by Sophie Ecclestone had threatened to derail their innings.
Western Storm clinched their first win in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. They defeated Thunder by 66 runs at Emirates Old Trafford.
England spinner Ecclestone took 3 wickets for 16 runs off her 10 overs. But three good partnerships rescued the Storm. Since he added 162 runs from their final 30 overs to post a challenging score.
That proved to be enough as Thunder subsided to 186 all out off 42.4 overs, with Sophia Smale and Chloe Skelton taking three wickets apiece.
Luff & Other Players Ruin the Thunder’s Efforts
Western Storm struck an early blow as the Thunder set off in pursuit of 253 when Seren Smale cut a short delivery from Lauren Filer to Dani Gibson at cover for 9.
Emma Lamb and Katie Mack rebuilt with a positive 62-run partnership off 69 balls with Mack launching Amanda-Jade Wellington for consecutive sixes at the start of the leg spinner’s second over.
Wellington hit back with two big wickets, bowling Mack for 28 and Lamb for 38 to have Thunder 85 for 3 at the start of the 19th over. That quickly became 104 for 6 after 25 overs as three wickets fell for six runs in a disastrous spell for Thunder.
Storm made an excellent start after being put in to bat with Griffiths and Luff posting a second consecutive fifty-opening partnership in the face of some disciplined bowling by England duo Cross and Gaur.
Griffiths had accelerated the scoring but was bowled for 24 after aiming a wild slog at Ecclestone. That was the first of three wickets to fall for nine runs in 17 balls with Luff, who had been fortunate to survive a run-out chance when on 4.
Storm’s Strong Response with Bat and Ball
Storm fought back splendidly from that point. Captain Luff and Wraith mounted a determined alliance of 70 across 17 overs. This counters the control exerted by the Thunder spinners with Ecclestone to the fore.
But Luff found great support from Niamh Holland. She contributed a useful 22 off 24 balls in a 46-run partnership. And Wellington made a rapid unbeaten 31 off 19 balls over the closing overs.
Luff, who reached her fifty from 82 balls, became the glue that held the innings together. Initially consolidating after coming to the crease in the 15th over. Before providing the late acceleration Storm added 83 from the last ten overs to set a target that proved to be more than enough.
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About the Author
Zartash Zulfiqar is a passionate cricket writer with a love for cricket that shines through in every word. From match analyses to player profiles, she delivers insightful commentary that resonates with fans worldwide. Stay tuned for the latest from the world of cricket, brought to you by Zartash.
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