Bowlers set up victory for Central Sparks before Marie Kelly eases nerves in tense chase

Kelly finally removed any remainin tension from proceedings, passing her half century from 89 balls to see her team home

Edgbaston: Thunder 135 v Central Sparks 136-6 - Central Sparks win by four wickets

Central Sparks secured their first win of the tournament against Thunder, edging home by four wickets, thanks to a performance from the bowlers that saw them chase down 135 in 44 overs. 

Issy Wong excelled once again, taking three wickets, while Marie Kelly paced the chase brilliantly against some tough Thunder bowling, top scoring with an unbeaten 59.

Thunder won the toss and elected to bat, but couldn’t put the decision to good use as they succumbed to an excellent team performance by the hosts.

Wong set the tone for the match, sending Laura Marshall’s middle stump flying first ball, before in the next over Emily Arlott got the wicket of Georgie Boyce, who also went without scoring. 

The opening bowlers continued to be dominant, bowling very tightly, allowing Thunder just four runs from the first five overs. Wickets then began to fall again as Wong bowled Ellie Threlkeld for seven and Emma Lamb was caught at fine leg to give Wong her third wicket, with Thunder reduced to 18 for 4.

Thunder couldn't manage to salvage a partnership, with Clare Boycott taking the next two wickets; Sophie Ecclestone skied a catch to point for 14, followed by Natalie Brown who was bowled for 35.

Sarah Glenn was introduced into the attack, making an immediate impact in getting Sophie Turner to edge behind, as Thunder reached 75 for 7 at the halfway stage.

^{Central Sparks' batsmen did not make light work of a low target}

However, Kate Cross and Olivia Thomas helped Thunder reach a more respectable total, putting on a partnership of 56 to deny Sparks a quick finish to the innings.

Georgia Davis took the final three wickets as Thunder were bowled out for 135 in 46 overs.

As Sparks came out for the chase, Thunder ensured they couldn't make light work of it, with Brown bowling Amy Jones for 12 and Hartley trapping Eve Jones lbw for 27.

Hartley carried on her restrictive bowling, alongside Sophie Ecclestone, as Davies was out lbw for just a single.

Milly Home and Marie Kelly came out to the middle and saw Sparks through a tough period of bowling as they began to up the run rate in the chase.

They put on a partnership of 45 before Cross dismissed Home lbw for 17. Three balls later, Ecclestone bowled Glenn without scoring, as Sparks reached 101 for 5 after 30 overs.

Thunder continued to fight their way back, with Boycott caught and bowled by Ecclestone for five, and the game becoming far more tense than Sparks would have wanted.

They finally removed the tension from the chase as Kelly passed her half century from 89 balls to see her team home.

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