In the 1st of 2 Semi-Finals of the 2nd edition of the FairBreak Invitational, the Spirit played Warriors at the Kowloon Cricket Club, Hong Kong. The former batting first were cheaply bundled out for a total that the Spirit in reply got to comfortably and claimed the ticket to the Final and will now play the Falcons.
1st innings: Spirit – 73/10 (17.4)
The side batting first had Sarah Bryce depart for a first-ball duck with 3 on board, and Sophia Dunkley then was accompanied by Natthakan Chantham. The two shared a brief 20-run stand that saw curtains with Sophia departing on 16(16). Bismah Maroof then joined Natthakan in the middle and the two only managed a brief 21-run stand as Maroof on 6(14) departed with 44 on board in the 9th over. It wasn’t long before the side lost its 4th as Nicola Carey on 6(9) was run out and shortly after, Natthakan’s stay too came to end on 26(34).
The Spirit were 5 down for 59 in the 13th over and runs of blades of Naruemol Chaiwai (8), Kerry-Anne Tomlinson (4), and tailenders, pushed the sides total to 73. Jess Kerr lead the Warriors wickets chart with 3 to her name, and had Amanda-Jade Wellington and Kathryn Bryce follow with a couple each, while Hayley Matthews and Shamilia Connell registered a wicket each.
2nd innings: Warriors – 74/6 (13.1)
The side in reply had openers Phoebe Litchfield and Hayley Matthews start well, but the latter departed early on 8(6), and later in the same over, Ellie Johnston too departed cheaply for 1(3). While Phoebe continued to find boundaries, skipper Sindhu Sriharsha dug in in the middle but was the next to depart on 3(17) and a wicket brought another as Phoebe then departed on 21(22) leaving the side 4 down for 35 in the 9th over.
Warriors had two new batters in the middle and while Mignon du Preez (8*) looked to anchor the innings, Kathryn Bryce counterattacked with an 18-ball 26 and powered the side to 73 when she departed in the 13th over. In the following over, off the first ball, with a single, the Warriors claimed the win and the ticket to the Final. The Spirit wickets column featured Sophia Dunkley (3/16 off 3), Mahika Gaur (2/14 off 2), and Nensi Patel (1/23 off 2).
Semi-Final 1:
โจ Player of the Match: ๐๐๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐ฒ๐ง ๐๐ซ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ ๐
Her all-round contributions helped Warriors claim their spot in the FairBreak, 2023 Final ๐คฉ#CricketTwitter #FairBreak #FBI23 pic.twitter.com/QqV8J1RyC7
โ Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 15, 2023
Result: Warriors won by 4 wickets (with 41 balls remaining)
The Spirit were down but not out as they put up a fight with the ball which really was a commendable effort. The Warriors made it an interesting run chase having lost early wickets but Kathryn Bryce’s invaluable knock saw the side get the win that was only theirs, especially after that spectacular 1st innings.
Warriors won by 4 Wickets
Spirit: 73-10 (17.4)
Natthakan Chantham: 26 (34)
Sophia Dunkley: 16 (16)
Jess Kerr: 3-11Warriors: 74-6 (13.1)
Kathryn Bryce: 26 (18)
Phoebe Litchfield: 21 (22)
Sophia Dunkley: 3-16#CricketTwitter #FairBreak #FBI23 pic.twitter.com/5Li58gftmkโ Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) April 15, 2023