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Gerry Wolstenholme's Blog - Posts Tagged "close-finish"
Vitality Blast Tie
An accident on the motorway delayed the arrival of some members of the Lancashire side so consequently the game between Lancashire Thunder and Somerset Women at Blackpool’s Stanley Park had to be reduced to 17 overs per side. But this did not diminish the drama that followed in the ensuing 34 overs with the result of the game resting on the final ball. Requiring seven runs to win, Lancashire’s Alana King swung Mollie Robbins over fine leg for six leaving the game dramatically tied at 114 runs each!
The drama even began in the first over when there was a dropped catch at slip before Bex Odgers struck a six over mid-wicket and was then caught by Darcey Carter off the final ball of the over from Tara Norris.
Somerset advanced the total to 29 then lost four wickets in the space of 15 balls as Mahika Gaur struck three times, dismissing Niamh Holland, eight, Fran Wilson without scoring, and Amanda-Jade Wellington, four to finish her spell with an impressive 3-15. King added the wicket of Ruby Davis for 12 to leave Somerset reeling at 43-5.
In stepped skipper Sophie Luff, by far the most accomplished Somerset batter, and with Alex Griffiths added a useful 56 for the sixth wicket. The partnership ended when Luff, four boundaries in her 36, fell to a diving catch at deep mid-off by Norris off Grace Potts with the total on a more respectable 99. Griffiths finished with 29 not out, including four boundaries, and Chloe Skelton with two as the innings closed at 114-6.
In reply, Lancashire began positively and Eve Jones, 18, and Seren Smale, 25, put on 34 for the first wicket before Tilly Kesteven, 19, and Ailsa Lister, 17, took the total to 78. And despite the loss of Fi Morris first ball, at 78-4 in 12.3 overs Lancashire looked to be heading for victory. But and Wellington completed her excellent spell of 3-24 that slightly somewhat put the brakes on the Lancashire advance. And with Luff inspiring her side with some good fielding the game entered its final over with Thunder at 102-7, requiring 13 for victory. What followed could not have been scripted!
Robbins with her first two overs costing just 11 runs was trusted with that final over and it began in dramatic fashion. The first ball bowled skipper Ellie Threlkeld for 11 and the second had Norris driving into the safe hands of Luff at mid-on. Thirteen runs now required from four balls with the pendulum looking as though it may have swung Somerset’s way. But next ball Robbins disastrously bowled a wide … still 13 runs from four balls!
King had been joined by Carter who drove her first legitimate ball fiercely towards Luff, who had fielded magnificently all afternoon and marshalled her side so well, at mid-on but the Somerset captain was unable to take the catch and the pair ran a single … 11 runs required from three balls.
Robbins’ next ball was also driven at Luff, who once again, despite two attempts dropped the catch again and the resultant fumble allowed a two to be run … nine runs now required from two balls. Somerset almost had the game won.
And when King took two runs from the penultimate ball, barring a disaster for Somerset the chance of a Lancashire victory had gone with seven runs required from one ball.
The tension was tremendous as Robbins ran in to deliver the final ball of the match. She strayed very slightly towards the leg stump and, swiveling, King pulled the ball high over fine leg for a six that resulted in the match being tied! It was relative joy for Lancashire and utter disappointment for Somerset who must have felt that they had a second win of the season forthcoming. Both sides had their chance of victory but it was not to be for either and the tie certainly gave the spectators plenty of entertainment!
The drama even began in the first over when there was a dropped catch at slip before Bex Odgers struck a six over mid-wicket and was then caught by Darcey Carter off the final ball of the over from Tara Norris.
Somerset advanced the total to 29 then lost four wickets in the space of 15 balls as Mahika Gaur struck three times, dismissing Niamh Holland, eight, Fran Wilson without scoring, and Amanda-Jade Wellington, four to finish her spell with an impressive 3-15. King added the wicket of Ruby Davis for 12 to leave Somerset reeling at 43-5.
In stepped skipper Sophie Luff, by far the most accomplished Somerset batter, and with Alex Griffiths added a useful 56 for the sixth wicket. The partnership ended when Luff, four boundaries in her 36, fell to a diving catch at deep mid-off by Norris off Grace Potts with the total on a more respectable 99. Griffiths finished with 29 not out, including four boundaries, and Chloe Skelton with two as the innings closed at 114-6.
In reply, Lancashire began positively and Eve Jones, 18, and Seren Smale, 25, put on 34 for the first wicket before Tilly Kesteven, 19, and Ailsa Lister, 17, took the total to 78. And despite the loss of Fi Morris first ball, at 78-4 in 12.3 overs Lancashire looked to be heading for victory. But and Wellington completed her excellent spell of 3-24 that slightly somewhat put the brakes on the Lancashire advance. And with Luff inspiring her side with some good fielding the game entered its final over with Thunder at 102-7, requiring 13 for victory. What followed could not have been scripted!
Robbins with her first two overs costing just 11 runs was trusted with that final over and it began in dramatic fashion. The first ball bowled skipper Ellie Threlkeld for 11 and the second had Norris driving into the safe hands of Luff at mid-on. Thirteen runs now required from four balls with the pendulum looking as though it may have swung Somerset’s way. But next ball Robbins disastrously bowled a wide … still 13 runs from four balls!
King had been joined by Carter who drove her first legitimate ball fiercely towards Luff, who had fielded magnificently all afternoon and marshalled her side so well, at mid-on but the Somerset captain was unable to take the catch and the pair ran a single … 11 runs required from three balls.
Robbins’ next ball was also driven at Luff, who once again, despite two attempts dropped the catch again and the resultant fumble allowed a two to be run … nine runs now required from two balls. Somerset almost had the game won.
And when King took two runs from the penultimate ball, barring a disaster for Somerset the chance of a Lancashire victory had gone with seven runs required from one ball.
The tension was tremendous as Robbins ran in to deliver the final ball of the match. She strayed very slightly towards the leg stump and, swiveling, King pulled the ball high over fine leg for a six that resulted in the match being tied! It was relative joy for Lancashire and utter disappointment for Somerset who must have felt that they had a second win of the season forthcoming. Both sides had their chance of victory but it was not to be for either and the tie certainly gave the spectators plenty of entertainment!
