Heather Graham, Josie Groves three-fers followed by twin half-centuries from the Bryce Sisters powers The Blaze to their maiden Charlotte Edwards Cup title
The 4th edition of the Charlotte Edwards came to an end with a hard fought match between the Blaze and the South East Stars. The four best sides of the tournament, Central Sparks, Southern Vipers, South East Stars and the Blaze qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament.
The Central Sparks led by skipper Eve Jones finished fourth on the points table with 26 points from 10 games including six victories in the league stages. As a result, they secured a spot in the semi-finals. The Southern Vipers led by skipper Georgia Adams finished third on the points table on the virtue of a superior net run rate with 26 points from 10 games in the league stages. The South East Stars led by skipper Bryony Smith finished 2nd on the points table with 34 points from 10 games including 7 victories to their name in the league stages. Their couple of defeats came against Southern Vipers and Central Sparks.
The Blaze led by skipper Kirstie Gordon finished on the top of the points table with 39 points from 10 games in the league stages. Their solitary defeat came against the South East Stars.
1st Semi-Final: Central Sparks Vs The Blaze
Josie Groves, and Grace Ballinger, shine with the ball before Tammy Beaumont and Kathryn Bryce guides the Blaze into the final
The Central Sparks were all set to face the Blaze in the 1st semi-final. The Blaze skipper Kirstie won the toss and opted to field first. After being inserted to bat first, Central Sparks posted a total of 140/9 in their quota of overs. Courtney Webb (45 off 31 balls), Davina Perrin (32 off 19 balls), and Ami Campbell (21 off 14 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Central Sparks. Jose Groves (4-0-16-2), Grace Ballinger (4-0-34-2), and Lucy Higham (3-0-21-1) were the top performers with the ball for the Blaze.
The Blaze chased down the 141-run target with five wickets in hand and 12 balls to spare. Kathryn Bryce (44 off 39 balls), Tammy Beaumont (39 off 31 balls), and Heather Graham (16 off 13 balls) were the top performers with the bat for the Blaze. Hannah Baker (4-0-24-3), Katie George (4-0-30-1), and Courtney Webb (2-0-14-1) were the top performers with the ball for the Central Sparks.
2nd Semi-Final: South East Stars Vs Southern Vipers
Sophia Dunkley and Georgia Redmayne star with the bat before the bowlers put on a clinical show as South East Stars edge-past Southern Vipers to progress to the final
South East Stars were all set to face the Southern Vipers in the 2nd semi-final. Southern Vipers skipper Georgia Adams won the toss and opted to field first. After being inserted to bat first, South East Stars posted a total of 162/5 in their quota of overs. Sophia Dunkley (49 off 34 balls), wicket-keeper batter Georgia Redmayne (39 off 38 balls), and Paige Scholfield (34 off 22 balls) were the top performers with the bat for South East Stars. Linsey Smith (4-0-20-1), and Freya Davies (4-0-23-1) were the top performers with the ball for the Southern Vipers.
Chasing a target of 163, Southern Vipers were restricted to 157/9 in their quota of overs, falling short of the target by five runs. Charlie Dean (43 off 29 balls), Danielle Wyatt (34 off 17 balls), and Charlie Knott (21 off 19 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Southern Vipers. Tilly Corteen-Coleman (4-0-23-2), Danielle Gregory (4-0-25-2), and Bryony Smith (4-0-32-2) were the top performers with the ball for South East Stars.
Final: South East Stars Vs The Blaze
Josie Groves and Heather Graham’s three-fers followed by twin half-centuries from the Bryce sisters powers the Blaze to their maiden Charlotte Edwards Cup title
The two best sides of the tournament, the South East Stars and the Blaze were all set to face each other for the title clash. The Blaze skipper Kirstie Gordon won the toss and elected to field first. After being inserted to bat first, the South East Stars posted a total of 141/9 in their quota of overs. Wicket-keeper batter Georgia Redmayne (25 off 25 balls), Alice Davidson-Richards (21 off 12 balls), Emma Jones (18 off 15 balls), and skipper Bryony Smith (17 off 8 balls) were the top performers with the bat for South East Stars.
Heather Graham (4-0-16-3), Josie Groves (4-0-33-3), skipper Kirstie Gordon (4-0-21-2), and Kathryn Bryce (3-0-13-1) were the top performers with the ball for the Blaze. Chasing a target of 142, the Blaze got over the line with seven wickets in hand and eight balls to spare getting their hands on their maiden Charlotte Edwards Cup title. Kathryn Bryce (62 off 45 balls), and wicket-keeper batter Sarah Bryce (52 off 46 balls) were the top performers with the bat for the Blaze. Danielle Gregory (4-0-26-1), Tash Farrant (4-0-23-0), Tilly Corteen-Coleman (4-0-24-0), and skipper Bryony Smith (4-0-29-1) were the top performers with the ball for South East Stars.