Rachel Slater’s Heroics Propel Northern Diamonds to Home Semi-Final in Thrilling 1 Wicket Victory
Rachel Slater’s heroics leads Northern Diamonds to last-ball victory (with one wicket remaining) over Southern Vipers in Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy thriller.
The Northern Diamonds defeated the reigning champion Southern Vipers in a thrilling game at Headingley by a razor-thin margin of one run, earning themselves a home semifinal position in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. With one ball remaining in the thrilling finale, No. 11 Rachel Slater proved to be the unexpected hero as she scored the winning runs to seal the championship.
Key Performances and Match Results
Northern Diamonds 241 for 9 (Marlow 52, Duckworth 51, Adams 4-30)
Southern Vipers 240 for 8 (Adams 57, Levick 3-36)
Northern Diamonds won by 1 run.
Match Analysis
11th No. In a thrilling last-ball match at Headingley, Rachel Slater struck the game-winning two to long-on, helping Northern Diamonds defeat Southern Vipers by one run and earn a home semifinal match for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
After 46.5 overs and in response to 240 for 8, the Diamonds were in serious trouble at 216 for 9. Georgia Adams, the visiting captain, looked impressive with her off-spin, going four for 26 for the season, and scoring 57.
With three wickets in her debut, left-arm spinner Rebecca Tyson looked impressive, but she was unable to contain nine runs off the final over with Slater and Katie Levick at the crease. After sharing 25, Slater finished with eighteen points. Levick, a leg-spinner, had taken three wickets before his thirteen.
Adams put up a measured 82-ball innings around which the Vipers innings were constructed. Four players in their thirties, including Ella McCaughan, Emily Windsor, Georgia Elwiss, and Naomi Dattani, provided support for her.
Vipers chose to bat, and they advanced steadily. After two straight losses, there was less aggression and more will to stay in the game during that inning. Despite not having the same level of expertise as other Vipers title winners, this lineup managed to reach a respectable total.
Scotland seamer Slater removed Rhianna Southby with a brilliant diving catch in the covers, and Levick then bowled the other opener, McCaughan, for thirty runs. Then, with a straightforward partnership of 76 in 18 overs, Adams and Elwiss steadied the ship.
Adams, cutting and driving well, struck all six of her boundaries through the off-side in a 74-ball fifty. Elwiss put in 31 more. The score then dropped from 126 for 2 in the 32nd over to 156 for 5 after 38 overs when both fell as part of a loss of three wickets for 30.
Adams was bowled for trying to cut a ball that was too near to her, Abi Norgrove was run out after slipping while trying to get up after playing a sweep to short fine-leg, and Elwiss was run out by a direct hit at the non-striker’s end from mid-off.
In the last over, three Vipers were out, including Dattani, who had just signed on loan. The only six of the innings was struck by Dattani, who was on loan from Lancashire Thunder, off Phoebe Turner’s seam over midwicket.
Turner bowled Dattani during Sunday’s Thunder match against Diamonds, taking six wickets in the Southport match. Turner only managed one hit today, and Levick was first to score.
The score dropped to 203 for 6 in the 45th over after she had bowled McCaughan and Adams. She then ended a vital 47-run partnership for the sixth wicket between left-handed Dattani and the ever-reliable Windsor.
Early in the Diamonds’ chase, Lauren Winfield-Hill, the stand-in captain while Hollie Armitage is with England in Ireland, miscued Adams to mid-on, putting the score at 5 for 1.
However, a 91-run combination between Rebecca Duckworth and Emma Marlow, who were both excellent on the drive, gave them a boost. Marlow scored just her second regional fifty, while Duckworth reached her first fifty off of 71 and 81 balls, respectively.
After reaching their milestones, both fell fast, though, as the Diamonds were reduced to 122 for four in the 32nd over after losing three wickets for 26 in seven overs. Before Marlow was dismissed by Elwiss’ seam, Duckworth and Sterre Kalis were trapped leg before wicket when sweeping at Adams.
Erin Burns, an Australian all-rounder, contributed 31, but it felt like a turning point when she cut Tyson to short third. Not at all. Additionally, Tyson delivered a scooping ball to Phoebe Turner, who was caught at backward point by Glen, 24. Adams bowled Katherine Fraser in between, followed by Freya Davies bowling Sophia Turner.
With three balls remaining, Slater and Levick chipped away at the target before the former hit Tyson through cover for four. Next were the victorious two to long-on.
