The Southern Vipers successfully defended their Charlotte Edwards Cup title in a dominant fashion, cruising to a seven-wicket victory over The Blaze with 34 balls to spare. The Blaze struggled to set a challenging target, posting a modest 114 for eight in their allotted 20 overs.
Anya Shrubsole, the Viper’s player-coach, bid farewell to her team with a remarkable performance, returning figures of 2 for 24 in her four overs. This final marked Shrubsole’s swansong, and in an emotional post-match interview, she confirmed her retirement from cricket after The Hundred. However, she remained undecided about continuing as the assistant Vipers coach beyond this season.
The Vipers’ opening pair of Maia Bouchier and Danni Wyatt carried forward their outstanding form from the semi-final against Thunder, where they shared a 108-run partnership off just 65 balls. Against The Blaze, they formed a crucial 67-run opening stand in only 41 deliveries, effectively sealing the chase. Wyatt, in particular, impressed with a blistering half-century off 27 balls.
Reflecting on her decision to retire, Shrubsole acknowledged that the physical toll and discomfort had played a significant role in her choice. She expressed a desire to enjoy a pain-free life and engage in simple activities like walking her dogs without discomfort. Although bidding farewell to the sport she had played since the age of 16 was not easy, Shrubsole believed it was the right time to make this decision.
The Blaze, making their debut on the Finals Day after rebranding from Lightning, resumed their innings at 53 for four after the rain interruption. However, their attempt to accelerate the scoring rate fell short as they settled for singles. Marie Kelly anchored the innings with a patient 26 off 36 balls. It was only in the 27th ball after the resumption that Nadine de Klerk finally struck a boundary by launching Georgia Adams over midwicket.
The Viper’s Charlie Dean played a crucial role in keeping The Blaze in check, claiming the wickets of Sarah Glenn and dismantling de Klerk’s leg stump. These breakthroughs further stifled the opposition’s progress. In pursuit of the target, Danni Wyatt unleashed an array of shots, decimating the Blaze bowling attack. Grace Ballinger’s first over went for 17 runs as Wyatt effortlessly found boundaries. Maia Bouchier complemented her partner stroke-for-stroke, displaying an impressive range of shots as the duo amassed 61 runs in the powerplay.
Bouchier’s aggressive approach eventually led to her downfall as she was bowled by Sarah Glenn in the seventh over. Shortly after reaching her half-century, Wyatt was adjudged LBW to de Klerk, ending her brilliant innings. With only 27 runs required, England’s Freya Kemp provided a quick cameo of 13 runs off eight balls, including a towering six off Sophie Munro. Georgia Adams contributed with a crucial 16 runs off 12 deliveries, guiding her team to victory with ample time remaining.
The Southern Viper’s triumph in the Charlotte Edwards Cup final was a testament to their dominant display throughout the tournament. Anya Shrubsole’s farewell added an emotional touch to the occasion, as her exceptional bowling helped pave the way for the team’s emphatic victory.
Sports have always been a huge part of my life, and having played cricket professionally for my state team, I gained a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed in the world of sports. With an eye for detail and passion for sports, I’m hoping to make a lasting impact in the sports industry.