Storm narrowly lose as Diamonds take lead

Alex Macdonald registered career-best figures to put the skids under Western Storm and help Northern Diamonds achieve a dramatic one-wicket win at Taunton to take control of Group B in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.

Diamonds skipper Holly Armitage won the toss and opted to field, a decision which reaped dividends when Macdonald took 4-17, eclipsing the 4-28 she claimed for Yorkshire women against Surrey in 2015.

Undermined by poor shot selection and unable to build meaningful partnerships, Storm posted a below-par 106-9, Katie George topscoring with 21 and Nat Wraith contributing 20.

But the hosts came roaring back into contention, Danielle Gibson, Alex Griffiths and Nicole Harvey claiming two wickets apiece as Diamonds lurched to 96-9. It required all of Jenny Gunn’s vast experience to see the visitors over the line, the former England international hitting the winning four off the final ball to finish unbeaten on 27 from 21 balls.

After the game Storm captain Sophie Luff said: “It was probably a great game to watch for the neutral, but a difficult one to be on the wrong end of. I cannot fault the players for the way they battled back in the field and we could easily have won it.

“We put the ball in the right areas more often than not and Danielle Gibson and Alex Grifiths bowled really well.

“But we always knew Jenny Gunn was still to come and her experience has helped get Diamonds over the line in the end.

“It’s frustrating, because our batting is not firing at the moment and the senior players, myself included, have to take responsibility for that.

“We’re not building partnerships, players are getting in and then giving their wickets away and 106-9 was never going to be enough on that pitch.”