Eight-wicket Victory Keeps Thunder’s Qualification Hopes Alive
Thunder recorded a comprehensive eight-wicket triumph over Central Sparks at Worcester, maintaining their slim hopes of securing a Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy qualification spot.
The visitors’ excellent bowling attack, led by left-arm seamers Tara Norris (4/18) and Sophie Morris (3/31), restricted Sparks to a modest 144 all out in 42.4 overs. Only captain Eve Jones (38 off 62) offered resistance amidst a sloppy batting display from the home side.
Thunder then cruised to 147/2 with a massive 21 overs to spare, thanks to an unbeaten 122-run third-wicket partnership between Emma Lamb (71 off 84)* and Katie Mack (52 off 69)*. The victory lifted Thunder above Sparks in the standings, keeping their qualification aspirations alive, while the hosts are left to play for pride in their remaining fixtures.
“Opting to bowl first, Thunder made early inroads, with Norris and Morris pegging back Sparks’ batters, who struggled to get on the front foot.”
The hosts slumped to 52/4 inside 13 overs, all the dismissals being either bowled or lbw. Jones provided the sole resistance, but her dismissal, caught at mid-on off Morris, left Sparks in disarray at 88/6. Some lower-order resistance from Katie George and Bethan Ellis added 36 runs, but the innings concluded in scrappy fashion.
Thunder’s chase was a stroll in the park. After the early loss of Alice Clarke, Lamb and Mack settled in comfortably, with the former smashing a six on her way to a 66-ball fifty. Mack soon followed suit, and the victory was achieved without much fuss.
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