Deandra Dottin’s quickfire cameo helped Thunder beat Central Sparks by 36 runs at The County Ground in the Charlotte Edwards Cup (CEC).
Batting first, Thunder posted 155-6 in their allotted twenty overs, helped by top score 64 from England international Emma Lamb. Central Sparks crumbled to 119-9 in their chase to fall to their third successive defeat.
Both sides were hit by the international schedule as Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone (Thunder) as well as Izzy Wong and Amy Jones (Central Sparks) were unavailable for the match as it clashed with England duties.
Deandra Dottin (FILE)
Dottin arrived at the crease with a platform of 95-2 from 11. 5 overs and immediately set about attacking the bowling.
In 11 balls, the former West Indies all-rounder struck 24 runs with two fours and two sixes before slogging a full toss straight down the throat of Katie George at deep wicket, with the score 136-4. Helped by some lower order hitting, Thunder would scrape to 155-6.
Central Sparks lost their captain and key batter Eve Jones on the first ball of the chase when she nicked Mahika Gaur behind to wicket keeper Eleanor Threlkeld. The matter was compounded when fellow opener Bethan Ellis was run out by Fi Morris with just three runs scored.
That calamitous start brought starlet Davina Parris and experienced pro Erin Burns to the crease. Parris’ neat stroke making combined with Burns’ long handle approach brought up a partnership worth 53 runs for the third wicket.
However, the spark went out of this batting line up once those two were back in the hutch as a procession of single digits scores brought the contest to a close long before the final ball was bowled. Fi Morris in particular was decisive in reducing them to 119-9 as her economic off spin produced two wickets and built pressure.
Thunder Cricket will play Southern Vipers on Wednesday at the Rose Bowl, Southampton. Central Sparks will look to keep their hopes of reaching the latter stages alive with a win against Southern Vipers on Saturday at Edgbaston.
Summarised Scores: Thunder 155-6 in 20 overs (Emma Lamb 64, Fi Morris 36; Bethan Ellis 2-22, Erin Burns 2-25). Central Sparks 111-9 in 20 overs (Erin Burns 41, Davina Parris 28, Fi Morris 2-16). Thunder won by 36 runs. (JC)