Katie George-inspired Sparks pile on woe for Diamonds

Central Sparks 164 for five (George 56, Levick 3-31) beat Northern Diamonds 223 for 4 (Armitage 66, Davis 2-40, George 2-46) by 5 wickets (DLS technique)

A rain-ravaged fixture was accomplished with two balls remaining following showers all day. Former England all-rounder George starred with 2 for 46 from seven overs of left-arm seam after which 56 off 35 balls.

The Diamonds have been in a wholesome place on 223 for 4 from 34 of 37 scheduled overs, with rain taking the gamers from the sphere at 3.20pm after a delayed begin.

When play resumed at 4.45pm, the Sparks have been set their goal, which they reached amidst an entertaining finale because of George’s greatest 50-over rating this summer time – her first marketing campaign with the Midlanders.

The second-placed Sparks have now received the final 4 matches they’ve performed – they have been rained off at house to Western Storm final week, whereas the Diamonds have misplaced their final three to dent their title defence and drop out of the highest three qualifying locations.

Play lastly began at 12.40pm, with the sport lowered to 39 overs per aspect. One other temporary bathe following the beginning pressured a 37 -overs contest.

The Diamonds received off to a fluent however not blistering begin as Lauren Winfield-Hill and Sterre Kalis shared 60 inside 12 overs.

Winfield-Hill made 28, whereas Kalis made 36 lower than 24 hours after representing the Netherlands in a T20 worldwide in opposition to Thailand in Utrecht.

Such was the tight turnaround that Kalis’s package was caught on a flight, and he or she was pressured to make use of an previous bat of hers and a few borrowed package from team-mates. However she performed confidently because the Sparks erred in line and size.

England quick bowler Issy Wong was the principle perpetrator, repeatedly bowling full tosses which have been despatched to the fence.

The innings slowed up after the off-spin of Georgia Davis bowled Winfield-Hill and Kalis was caught behind off George’s left-arm seam to make it 83 for two after 15 overs.

Emma Marlow later fell to a sensible diving catch by Bethan Ellis at cowl off George, leaving the rating at 131 for 3 within the twenty sixth over and paving the way in which for Armitage and Heath to essentially open up. Each hit sixes over long-on.

Forty 4 runs got here in three overs from 153 for 3 after 29, although Armitage, having reached her fifty in 51 balls, fell to a surprising diving catch by Erin Burns on the run from long-on off Davis. Solely two extra overs have been attainable within the Diamonds’ innings earlier than rain.

When play resumed, the Sparks began their chase nicely, reaching 40 with out loss within the fifth over and helped by two a number of 5 wides.

Australian Burns, promoted to open, was first to go when caught at mid-on off Jess Woolston’s seam.

Katie Levick bowled a sweeping Abbey Freeborn shortly afterwards earlier than George hit the leg-spinner for 3 fours within the tenth over – two huge of long-on – to take the rating to 84 for two.

Eve Jones, for 26, then scooped Grace Corridor’s slingy seam to quick fine-leg within the subsequent over, leaving the rating at 89 for 3.

However George, helped by former Diamond Ami Campbell, maintained the momentum to make sure the Sparks received for the fifth time in 9 video games.

George reached 50 off 30 balls and took the goal to 9 off the final two overs. She shared 72 with fourth-wicket companion Campbell, who added 27.

Each have been bowled by Levick at the beginning of the final over to intensify nerves, however it was too little, too late. Charis Pavely hit the profitable runs.