The Blaze strengthen grip on top spot with tight win over Central Sparks

Chasing 190, The Blaze collapsed from 73 for 1 to 91 for 6 against the spin of Hannah Baker and Georgia Davis before Nat Sciver-Brunt used all of her experience to guide the East Midlands side home

Birmingham: Central Sparks 189, The Blaze 193-7 - The Blaze won by three wickets

The Blaze fought off closest pursuers Central Sparks in an engrossing match at Edgbaston to record a three-wicket win and strengthen their position at the top of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy table.

The league leaders bowled Sparks out for 189 as only Bethan Ellis (53 off 97) and Katie George (50 off 57) passed 15 for the home side. A tight Blaze bowling display was led by Josie Groves (3 for 39) as they exploited the turning wicket and some ill-judged shots.

The Blaze reply was then spectacularly launched by Lizelle Lee (40 off 31). Spinners Georgia Davis (2 for 28) and Hannah Baker (2 for 37) caused a collapse from 73 for 1 to 91 for 6, but Nat Sciver-Brunt showed all her experience and class in an unbeaten 66 (71) to see Blaze home to 193 for 7 from 45.1 overs.

After choosing to bat, Sparks struggled to 38 for 3 in the 12th over. Kathryn Bryce took the big wicket of Eve Jones who was tempted into playing away from her body and edged to gully. Abbey Freeborn nicked Sophie Munro behind and New Zealand international Maddy Green chipped Grace Ballinger to mid-off to bag a debut duck.

^{The Blaze collapsed against the spin of Hannah Baker (pictured) and Georgia Davis [Nathan Stirk/Getty Images]}

^{Kirstie Gordon bagged the crucial wicket of Bethan Ellis [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

Ami Campbell started purposefully (11 from ten balls) but when she chipped Lucy Higham to midwicket, Sparks were 66 for 4.

The resolute Ellis at last found some support from the more forceful George and the fifth-wicket pair rebuilt carefully. They fell in successive overs, however, Ellis lbw to Kathryn Bryce and George lbw to Groves, who then added two more quick wickets courtesy of careless chips into the infield as the last six wickets tumbled for 40 in 15 overs.

Lee and Tammy Beaumont took just 34 balls to wipe off that 40 in a thunderous start which included six fours from 10 balls across the third and fourth overs. Lee's 40 included nine fours before she lifted a drive at George to cover.

Beaumont (24 off 31) smote the only six of the match, over midwicket off George, but when she ambled a single and was run out by Charis Pavely's throw, the innings went into decline against the spinners. Five wickets fell in six overs as sharp return catches by Davis removed the Bryce sisters and Baker bowled Georgie Boyce and Munro.

A diligent stand of 40 in 11 overs between Sciver-Brunt and Higham (20 off 43 balls) ended when the latter fell to a stunning catch by Green at midwicket. That left Sciver-Brunt with 59 to find with the lower order and, with plenty of overs in the bank, she did it perfectly, reaching a 57-ball half-century in an unbroken stand of 62 in 90 balls with skipper Kirstie Gordon (15 not out off 55 balls).

This coverage is brought to you in partnership with Smile Group Travel, specialists in women and girls cricket. For more information, visit www.smilegrouptravel.com