Match Details
So that’s that and it’s the Falcons that have stormed their way to a comprehensive win by nine wickets!
Batting first the Spirit Women got off to a tentative start as Sarah Jennifer Bryce got out cheaply for 1(5) after getting caught behind to Anju Gurung. Bismah Maroof’s stay in the crease was short as she walked back for 4 (5) with Sornnarin Tippoch getting the better of her.
Sophia Dunkley did add some runs to the board courtesy her 23 (20) but was out bowled by Chamari Athapaththu just when she was looking to switch gears. The skipper Nicola Carey 4 (6) couldn’t take the momentum forward from the last game as Jahanara Alam got the big fish.
Despite the fall of wickets at regular intervals, Kerry-Anne Tomlinson showed her class and scored a terrific 65 (46) with eight fours and two sixes to her name. Had it not been for that knock by Tomlinson, the Spirit Women could have been restricted to a first innings total of under 110.
Eventually, the Spirit Women got themselves to a 137-9 from 20 overs. For the Falcons, the star of the show with the ball in hand was none other than Chamari Athapaththu. The Sri Lankan international bagged three wickets for just nine runs from her four over spell.
As for the run chase, the Falcons got off to a blistering start thanks to the dynamic opening duo of Danielle Wyatt and Chamari Athapaththu. Mahika Gaur almost got the better of Athapaththu in the very first over but a drop catch by Khaka at the cover region led to severe problems for the Spirit Women.
There was no stopping the opening pair after that as they struck a quickfire 77 run stand from 10 overs. Chamari Athapaththu struck 35 (32) with four fours and two sixes before getting caught at mid-off by Nicola Carey. Nensi Patel was the sole wicket taker for the Spirit Women.
However, Danielle Wyatt kept going strong and powered her way to a scintillating 76 (41)* with seven fours and six sixes, while batting at a strike rate of 185.37. Theertha Satish also look unflustered out there in the middle and provided just enough support as she scored 21 (14)*.
For the Spirit, their key bowler Mahika Gaur was on the expensive side of things as she conceded 30 runs from 3.2 overs. Ayabonga Khaka conceded 41 runs from three overs as well.
Nevertheless, with both sides already qualifying for the semis, Nicola Wyatt in particular will have a lot of taking points from this fixture as she looks to get her side back into the groove for the semis. Whereas, for the Falcons, this has to be considered as a flawless performance from all aspects and it will give them a lot of confidence for the upcoming fixture.