The Cricketer reviews the best of the action during the opening round of the 50-over competition in 2024
Edgbaston: Central Sparks 213-9, The Blaze 135 - Central Sparks won by 78 runs
Central Sparks ended their 50-over hoodoo against The Blaze with an emphatic 78-run victory on the opening day of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy season at Edgbaston.
Eve Jones' side had never beaten Blaze in the 50-over format but took advantage of the visitors’ long absentee list due to injury and international commitments to start the season in style. Chasing 213 for 9, Blaze were bowled out for 135.
After choosing to bat, Sparks made a total that was decent rather than imposing after numerous batters made a start but didn't build on it. Only Abi Freeborn (53, 87 balls) stayed long enough against a disciplined attack led by Grace Ballinger (3 for 47) and Sophie Munro (2 for 28).
Blaze’s reply was then hit by a superb opening spell of 7-4-5-2 from Emily Arlott as they lurched to 14 for 3 in 10 overs. Nadine de Klerk, just hours after landing in the UK from South Africa, resisted with 43 (65) but was one of three victims for spinner Hannah Baker (3 for 29) as Blaze’s depleted team subsided.
Sophia Dunkley led South East Stars to victory (Ben Hoskins/Getty Images for Surrey CCC)
Chester-le-Street: Thunder 165, Northern Diamonds 166-1 - Northern Diamonds won by nine wickets
Northern Diamonds cruised their way to an opening day nine-wicket victory over Thunder at Chester-le-Street thanks to commanding performances from three of their most experienced players.
Veteran leg-spinner Katie Levick claimed 4 for 38 as the visitors were bowled out for 165 off 43.1 overs before England internationals Lauren Winfield-Hill (69 not out) and Hollie Armitage (61 not out) both hit unbeaten half-centuries as the hosts reached the modest target from 34.3 overs.
Only opening batter Seren Smale showed any real opposition with the bat for Thunder with a knock of 32 at the top of the order on a disappointing day for Ellie Threlkeld's side who were a distant second-best in all areas of the game.
Thunder never really recovered from the early blow of losing Emma Lamb, bowled by Jessica Woolston without scoring with her fellow opener Smale subsequently struggling to find any partners of substance.
Beckenham: Southern Vipers 273-9, South East Stars 274-6 - South East Stars won by four wickets
Tash Farrant made a fairytale return to cricket as South East Stars beat reigning champions Southern Vipers by four wickets in a thriller on the opening day of the 2024 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Beckenham.
The Greek-born England star, after missing almost two years of cricket with stress fractures of the back, struck a career-best 94, sharing a stand of 165 with skipper Bryony Smith – a record for any wicket for Stars as the hosts got home with three balls to spare.
Australian Charli Knott kept Vipers in it until the final over with a tidy spell of 2 for 35, but England Star Sophia Dunkley's composed unbeaten 48 saw Stars home amid rising tension.
Earlier, Freya Kemp, a day short of her 19th birthday made a maiden list-A 50 with Georgia Elwiss 44 and Knott 41 propelling the visitors to a competitive total, Ryana MacDonald-Gay returning figures of 3 for 46
Scrivens waltzed to an unbeaten 63 to lead Sunrisers to victory(James Chance/Getty Images)
Cardiff: Western Storm 114, Sunrisers 116-2 - Sunrisers won by eight wickets
Jodi Grewcock and Nicola Hancock claimed three wickets apiece as Sunrisers launched their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy campaign with a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over Western Storm at Cardiff's Sophia Gardens.
Seamer Hancock took 3 for 15 in 5.4 overs and teenager Grewcock bowled unchanged for 10 overs to return impressive figures of 3 for 28 with her off-breaks as Storm were dismissed for a wholly inadequate 114 in 30.4 overs.
Off-spinner Mady Villiers weighed in with 2 for 36, while Esmae MacGregor took a wicket and contributed a run out as Sunrisers produced a disciplined performance in the field after winning the toss. Only Nat Wraith offered meaningful resistance with the bat, top-scoring with 42 as Storm opened this campaign as they finished the last, by suffering a heavy defeat.
Sunrisers skipper Grace Scrivens then led by example, compiling a composed innings of 63 and sharing in a reassuring partnership of 59 with Cordelia Griffith for the second wicket as the visitors comfortably overhauled their target with 16.2 overs to spare.
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