Kira Chathli and Alice Davidson-Richards Propel South East Stars to 20-Run Victory Over Central Sparks
Kira Chathli and Alice Davidson’s outstanding performances guided South East Stars to a crucial 20-run win against Central Sparks in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
The highlight of the match, which took place at Moseley, was their 127-run stand at the fourth wicket, which put the Stars in position to qualify for the semi-finals.
Key Performances and Match Results
South East Stars 270 (Chathli 80, Davidson-Richards 70)
Central Sparks 250 for 9 (Ellis 57, Brewer 54, Perrin 50)
South East Stars won by 20 runs.
Match Analysis
South East Stars defeated Central Sparks by 20 runs in a tumultuous match at Moseley, moving them closer to a spot in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy semi-finals.
With Kira Chathli (80) and Alice Davidson-Richards (70) sharing a fourth-wicket stand of 127 in 20 overs, the Stars amassed a formidable 270 all out from 49.5 overs. Charis Pavely took three for 37 while Katie George took four for 47 for Sparks.
After losing early wickets, Sparks’ pursuit of the challenging total was hampered. Despite their valiant comeback, led by Davina Perrin (50), Chloe Brewer (54), and Bethan Ellis (57), they were unable to reach the target at 250 for 9.
With this victory, the Stars will advance to the semifinals provided they win their final game on Saturday away at Chester-le-Street against the Northern Diamonds. If Sunrisers defeat Southern Vipers at Southampton by a bonus point, a loss there may still see them knocked out of the top 4.
With the request to bat first, George bowled Cloe Hill with an airy waft for the 12th delivery of the innings, costing the Stars a wicket. In just 14 overs, Alexa Stonehouse and Phoebe Franklin scored 70 runs, but they were quickly out of the game. Franklin lifted Ellis to further cover as she went for an eighth four. After four balls, Stonehouse was bowled by Pavely and beaten in the flight.
Chathli and Davidson-Richards did a meticulous, tasteful reconstruction first. After the latter struck two consecutive sixes and the two exchanged 14 fours to put their team ahead, George took three quick wickets to slow down the Stars’ momentum. After trapping Davidson-Richards at mid-wicket after a full toss, the left-armer struck twice in four balls as Emma Jones blocked an attempted pull on to her middle stump and Aylish Cranstone went LBW.
Grace Potts was trapped deep mid-wicket by Chathli, ending her elegant innings, although Priyanaz Chatterji made a helpful late cameo of 17 from 18 balls.
In the first 13 overs, Sparks’ top order lost four wickets without the presence of captain Eve Jones, who has joined Thunder on loan for the remainder of the season. Tilly Corteen-Coleman, a 17-year-old slow left-arm bowler, dismissed Ami Campbell and Meg Austin in the first over of a 5-0-14-2 opening stint after they were caught in the deep. Franklin’s delivery was edged wide by Abi Freeborn to wicketkeeper Chathli. Chatterji was chipped by George to midwicket.
After reaching a half-century run-a-ball, Perrin was out of the game the next ball after lifting a shot ball from Danielle Gregory to deep midwicket. After their side reached 104 for 5, Brewer and Ellis turned things around, requiring 75 runs in the final ten overs with five wickets remaining.
After Brewer reached her first half-century for Sparks at 75 balls and top-edged Stonehouse to deep mid-wicket, Pavely gave Ellis more solid support, reducing their final three overs to 32 runs. However, Chathli’s composed effort saw Paveley run out, and Sparks’ valiant chase was ended when Ellis gave Stonehouse the ball and was bowled.
