Emily Arlott and Charis Pavely Shine as Central Sparks Crush Southern Vipers by 7 Wickets

Key Performances and Match Results

Central Sparks 184 for 3 (Jones 54)

Southern Vipers 183 (Elwiss 64*, Arlott 4-15, Pavely 4-31)

Central Sparks won by 7 wickets.

Match Analysis

In June, Sparks defeated Georgia Adams’ team at New Road by five wickets in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. Sparks capitalized on Vipers’ exhaustion due to overseas calls.

After Georgia Elwiss batted alone against a formidable assault spearheaded by Emily Arlott (4 for 15) and Charis Pavely (4 for 31), the Vipers were bowled out for 183 in 48.4 overs.

With 64 balls remaining, Sparks easily defeated the opposition by seven wickets after Eve Jones (54) and Ami Campbell (48) put together a well-executed opening partnership of 95 to set up the pursuit.

Vipers got off to a strong start with Rhianna Southby (36), who partnered with Ella McCaughan (26), opening at 64. However, Arlott’s incredible spell smacked them hard later. The 26-year-old took the wicket in her second over when McCaughan drove over an inswinger and was bowled, breaking through when Southby top-edged a pull. Four wickets fell for 28 runs in 57 balls as Adams and Emily Windsor edged to Arlott to wicketkeeper Abi Freeborn.

Elwiss went deep for the Vipers, but when the Sparks’ spinners went to work, partners came and went. On the sweep, Hannah Baker caught Abi Norgrove lbw, and Pavely bowled Nancy Harman beautifully. After Georgia Davis hit a ball onto Linsey Smith’s off stump, Mary Taylor was declared leg before wicket and Freya Davies was bowled through the gate by Pavely, who took two more wickets in four balls. Ava Lee, the final hitter, faced 28 balls to assist Elwiss in scoring 36, but the Vipers were still far short.

They had to score runs with the ball quickly, but Sparks’ opening duo of Jones and Campbell managed to reach 50 in just 12 overs. With a stand of 95 in 19.3 overs, the openers turned the chase into a formality when Campbell hit Lee with a low return catch.

When Jones was caught on the long on rope, Davina Perrin edged Adams to Southby, the wicketkeeper. The Vipers captain then dismissed her Sparks rival, but the Sparks captain left with her team just one win away.

Sparks overcame the opposition with a stunning cameo from Katie George (38 not out from 29 balls), leaving Vipers with more work to do in order to qualify. Sparks is now contemplating what may have been if they had consistently produced performances of this caliber.