‘I’ve never ever bowled a last over like that’

NORTHERN Diamonds beat Central Sparks by one run in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in a thrilling match with the most sensational finish at Edgbaston.

Chasing 216, Sparks entered the last over, bowled by captain Hollie Armitage, needing just four to win with three wickets in hand, but lost all those three wickets to fall short on 215.

Armitage ended with 3-40 after a delivering an ice-nerved final over which secured her side’s third victory in the competition this season.

Diamonds chose to bat but were bowled out for 216 by a disciplined attack in which six bowlers took wickets. Former Sparks player Erin Burns offered most resistance with 49 (63 balls), supported by a late cameo by the in-form Abi Glen (31 not out, 27).

A second-wicket century stand by Eve Jones (65, 98) and Abi Freeborn (49, 70) then gave the Sparks chase a strong platform but the last nine wickets fell for 103 – and the last five for just 15 – as Diamonds squeezed home in memorable fashion.

Hollie Armitage said: “I've never ever bowled a last over like that before. I was just thinking 'stay tall in your action and get it down there', to be honest.

“Then the first ball was short and wide and she hit it to point so I don't think there was much of me in that. It's not a situation I have been in before but I thought that I was the best option of the bowlers we had left and luckily it came off.

“After a couple of narrow losses, being able to get over the line here will give us a massive boost leading into the last game of this block. We are really happy with this win and hopefully that will give us some momentum to go into the next game."