A knock of 96 from England’s Lauren Winfield-Hill saw Northern Diamonds shine in a 39-run victory over Lightning in the opening round of the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
Winfield-Hill’s superb innings, which came off just 51 balls and was her highest score in T20, powered the visitors to a formidable total of 177/5, which proved too much for the hosts at a sun-drenched Haslegrave.
Winning the toss and opting to bat, Diamonds took full advantage of the conditions with an opening assault on the Lightning bowlers.
Each of the opening five overs went for double figures as Diamonds cruised past 50 with some powerful hitting from Winfield-Hill and Abi Glen.
Glen fell to a catch from Teresa Graves off Kirstie Gordon for 25, but that paved the way for Holly Armitage to join Winfield-Hill at the crease. The pair put on 99 for the second wicket, with the Diamonds skipper offering valuable support to the free-scoring opener.
Lightning had their chances, and a drop on the boundary from Lucy Higham proved particularly costly as Winfield-Hill took full advantage by smashing three consecutive sixes off the unfortunate Kathryn Bryce in the very next over.
The England star looked to be easing her way to a century but fell four short when she skied a delivery from Bryce to Bethan Ellis, who took a fine running catch over her shoulder.
From 145/2 when Winfield-Hill departed in the 16th over, the Diamonds innings faded somewhat with Leigh Kasperek (7), Phoebe Turner (0) and Beth Langston (1) departing in quick succession. Only Armitage stood firm to finish unbeaten on 40, as Diamonds closed on 177/5.
Lightning’s reply got off to an excellent start with Marie Kelly and Tammy Beaumont full of running and deft stroke play.
The opening pair had reached 79 in the 11th over when Kelly advanced down the wicket and was bowled by Beth Langston for 46.
The run chase became even tougher when Kathryn Bryce was bowled by Emma Marlow for four with Beaumont continuing to pepper the boundary and scamper between the wickets.
Beaumont brought up her half century with a boundary off Kasperek in the 16th over, and while she remained at the crease Lightning had a glimmer of a chance.
But Beaumont was bowled by Marlow for 59 in the next over, leaving the run rate increasingly insurmountable. The hosts’ innings closed on 138/7, with Smith picking up a couple of wickets in the final over.
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Be More Outlaw: The 2022 Vitality Blast at Trent Bridge
Notts Outlaws, the 2017 and 2020 Vitality Blast winners, return to T20 action at Trent Bridge this summer from Friday 27 May to Friday 1 July. Pin your green and gold colours to the mast by securing your seats now.
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Friday 27 May, Notts Outlaws vs Worcestershire Rapids: Secure your seats…
Sunday 29 May, Lightning vs Southern Vipers (Charlotte Edwards Cup): Secure your seats...
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Tuesday 31 May, Notts Outlaws vs Lancashire Lightning: Secure your seats…
Friday 17 June, Notts Outlaws vs Birmingham Bears: Secure your seats…
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