Warwickshire Bears Women survived a dramatic final over to beat Lancashire Thunder by one run in the Vitality Blast Women at Stanley Park, Blackpool, on June 28. Natasha Wraith’s 83 off 43 balls set the platform for the Bears, who posted 160 for 9 before holding on as Lancashire fell agonisingly short on 159 for 8.
The result moves Warwickshire to four points from the fixture while Lancashire remain pointless from the match.
Wraith Powers Warwickshire to Competitive Total
Warwickshire lost Abigail Freeborn early, caught at point off Sophie Morris for 8 in the third over. Wraith came to the crease and took control from the outset, targeting Darcey Carter in particular, hitting her for 27 runs across two overs.
Katie George fell for 23, bowled by Vinali Weerappuli’s slow legspin, and Georgia Redmayne added 9 before Morris claimed her second. Morris and Weerappuli both finished with three wickets each, keeping the Bears under consistent pressure throughout the innings.
Wraith reached her half-century off just 28 balls and struck a six into the boundary near the children’s nursery to loud appreciation from the Blackpool crowd. She was eventually dismissed for 83 off 43 balls, caught by Emma Lamb on the midwicket boundary, having hit 10 fours and two sixes. Kate Cross picked up two late wickets to further restrict the Bears, who closed on 160 for 9.
Lancashire Chase Falls Apart in Final Over
Lancashire’s reply started poorly. Eve Jones was bowled by Mary Taylor in the first over, and Australian batter Meg Lanning edged Georgia Davis to Redmayne for 10 soon after.
Lamb and Tilly Kesteven rebuilt the innings with a 48-run partnership before Lamb was bowled, sweeping Millie Taylor for 27. Lancashire captain Eleanor Threlkeld followed for 2, out lbw to the same bowler, leaving the hosts at 97 for 4 at the halfway stage.
Kesteven reached her fifty off 38 balls and added a crucial 64-run stand with Seren Smale, who made 23 before being bowled by Hannah Baker. At that point, Lancashire needed only 13 more runs with wickets in hand.
Darcey Carter fell for a golden duck, bowled by Amu Surenkumar, and then the chase unravelled completely in the final over. Kesteven, who had carried the innings superbly, was caught by Freeborn off Mary Taylor for 73. Kate Cross was run out for 4 two balls later. Three runs were required off the last ball with only the tail remaining.
Mary Taylor Holds Nerve to Seal One-Run Win
Mary Taylor delivered under pressure on the final ball, denying Lancashire the single that would have tied the match and holding her composure to seal a one-run victory for Warwickshire. The Bears celebrated on the field as Lancashire were left to rue a collapse from a winning position.
Kesteven’s 73 off 55 balls was a fine effort in a losing cause. Wraith’s knock earlier in the day, however, proved to be the difference between the two sides. The win gives Warwickshire four points in the Vitality Blast Women standings, a valuable return from what was a tightly contested fixture between two sides battling in the lower half of the table.
Follow JeetWin Sports for the latest International Cricket news and updates.
