Jemimah’s brilliance snuffs out Fire’s flame
INDIA star Jemimah Rodrigues’ brilliant unbeaten 92 off 43 balls led a Northern Superchargers recovery from 19 for four chasing 131 to beat the Welsh Fire in their women’s Hundred opener at Emerald Headingley.
The Superchargers slipped badly in their first 18 balls before 20-year-old opener Rodrigues mixed power and innovation to secure a six-wicket victory with 15 balls remaining.
Rodrigues shared an unbroken 112 partnership with Alice Davidson-Richards.
Earlier, left-arm spinner Linsey Smith excelled with three for 14 from her 20 balls as the hosts set about the first of two fightbacks.
Fire subsided to 130 for eight in the end, having been 79 for three after 50 balls.
Smith claimed the key wicket of Sarah Taylor for 18 before adding the scalps of Sophie Luff and Alex Griffiths - all during the second half of the innings.
Fire, invited to bat, were given an excellent start by West Indian Hayley Matthews, who made 30 off 20 balls, and her opening partner Bryony Smith, who scored 19 off 11. Both players hit a six apiece, the only two of the innings.
Smith was first to go with the score on 25, caught at long-on off the excellent leg-spin of Katie Levick, who then dismissed Alice Macleod en route to figures of two for 16 from her 20.
Matthews’ charge was halted by Davidson-Richards before Georgia Redmayne was bowled by Elizabeth Russell.
England wicketkeeping great Taylor looked set to build on the earlier good work of the openers before being stumped off Smith, making the score 114 for five after 82 balls.
Luff followed lbw before Griffiths was caught at long-off with the 100th ball.
The Superchargers innings was virtually the exact opposite of their visitors.
They looked in all sorts of trouble after losing four early wickets, including captain Lauren Winfield-Hill caught at midoff off the second ball from the off-spin of Bryony Smith.
South African Laura Wolvaardt was run out followed by the wickets of Hollie Armitage and Bess Heath, the latter having just struck three fours in a row. But Rodrigues was not to be deterred.