Storm secure dramatic win at Sunrisers
Western Storm sealed a dramatic last ball victory over Sunrisers in their Charlotte Edwards Cup tie at Chelmsford.
18-year-old Grace Scrivens had struck her maiden Sunrisers half-century with 56 from 42 balls, anchoring her side’s total of 160 for five and her off-spin then appeared to have halted the Storm reply as she dismissed Danielle Gibson and England captain Heather Knight within the space of three deliveries, finishing with figures of four for 33.
Yet Storm’s last-wicket pair of Alex Griffiths and debutant Sophia Smale – needing three off the final ball – snatched an incredible victory as the throw from long-on sailed over the head of despairing wicketkeeper Scarlett Hughes and away to the fence.
Sunrisers, who had looked sluggish in their previous powerplay against South East Stars, quickly set about the Storm attack after being put in as Scrivens and Cordelia Griffith cruised to a 50 partnership from just 26 balls.
Scrivens struck Lauren Filer for four consecutive boundaries, while Griffith’s crisp off-side drives took her to 26 before she fell victim to a shambolic run-out for the second time in as many games.
This time, Griffith stumbled at the non-striker’s end while her partner drove towards mid-off and called for a single, leaving her stranded as the throw reached wicketkeeper Natasha Wraith.
A wily spell of one for 22 by Knight, including the wicket of Mady Villiers for 11, helped to check the flow of runs, but Scrivens advanced to her half-century from 35 balls and found a capable ally in Jo Gardner (28 not out).
Having survived a stumping chance off Griffiths (one for 25), Scrivens eventually fell after giving the same bowler the charge, but Kelly Castle (14) helped to ensure Sunrisers posted a competitive total.
Storm sent Knight in at the top of the order, but she lost two partners almost immediately as Georgia Hennessy was caught down the leg side off Naomi Dattani and skipper Sophie Luff hoisted Scrivens straight to mid-off.
Abtaha Maqsood’s first ball brought Sunrisers a third wicket, with Fran Wilson stumped after missing the leg-spinner’s flighted delivery, but Danielle Gibson’s powerful hitting, with 27 from 20, kept the visitors in contention.
She and Knight added 41 in five overs – only for Scrivens to deal Storm a double blow as Gibson holed out to deep midwicket before Knight, trying to work the ball on the leg side, was bowled for 27.
Natasha Wraith’s belligerent 27 from 16 threatened to tilt the contest back in Storm’s favour – but, when she was stumped dancing down the track to Scrivens, it looked as if Sunrisers were home and dry.
However, Katie George’s 34 kept the contest alive and Griffiths, with an unbeaten 25 from 13, won it from Scrivens’ final delivery.
At the close of play, Sophie Luff said: “We burgled one there. It was an unbelievable game of cricket and we’re very lucky to be on the right side of the result.
“I’ve always got belief that our middle to lower order can get us over the line and that’s certainly what they showed tonight.
“The way the likes of Katie George, Nat Wraith and Alex Griffiths at the end came in and played with intent, that’s how we want them to play.
“We’ve got points on the board now. We’re up and running and this could be the difference between qualifying and not qualifying, if we can get on a bit of a roll now and get some momentum.”
