A quickfire half century from Danni Wyatt eased the Southern Vipers to a five wicket victory over Lightning in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, despite a 12-ball 36 from Marie Kelly at a fast-scoring Trent Bridge, and a commendable all-round performance from Lucy Higham.
Wyatt, who finished on 76, pierced the infield with frequency, and took just 29 balls to bring up her fifty as Vipers chased 141 in 16.4 overs.
Kathryn Bryce claimed wicket of dangerous Georgia Adams for 14 in the powerplay when she skied an attempted drive to Bethan Ellis at cover, but a later run of three wickets in nine balls came after Wyatt had inflicted the necessary damage to see the Vipers towards their target.
Earlier, Kelly struck four fours and three sixes after Lightning elected to bat first, but frequent wickets hampered the hosts’ progress.
That included England opener Tammy Beaumont in the first over, caught by Carla Rudd off a full, wide Freya Kemp delivery, while Ella Calridge and Sarah Bryce also departed in the powerplay.
When Kelly became Kemp’s second victim, Lightning slipped to 52/4, with late middle-order impetus required to hoist the home side to a competitive total.
They found it in the form of captain Kathryn Bryce, batting at five, and Notts’ Lucy Higham. The pair added 23 for the seventh wicket, despite Anya Shrubsole and Georgia Elwiss limiting the flow of boundaries.
Bryce departed for a well made 23 in the 15th over, with the score on 100, paving the way for Sophie Munro – fresh from a maiden half-century in a Notts shirt – who added 33 with her county skipper.
Lightning lost both – Higham for 31 – as well as Grace Ballinger, however, to finish their innings with two balls to spare.
In reply, Adams and Wyatt added 34 for their opening stand, but Mia Bouchier partnered Wyatt to add another 69.
In a frantic couple of overs, Bouchier was caught by Kelly off the leg-spin of Josie Groves, before both Wyatt and Paige Scholfield fell to Higham’s off spin to leave the Vipers 124/4 at the end of the 14th.
Higham took her third – Ella McCaughan stumped for nine – in her next over to finish with figures of 3-30, but Elwiss and Kemp saw their side over the line to remain at the top of Group B table.
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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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Monday 30th May, Notts Outlaws vs Northamptonshire Steelbacks: Secure your seats…
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