Storm sent back to the bottom of the table
Eve Jones scored a brilliant matchwinning 130 as Central Sparks posted their highest ever total in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy to comfortably beat Western Storm by 145 runs at Taunton on Monday.
In scintillating form, the 32-yearold opener plundered 18 fours and a six in an innings spanning 163 balls as the visitors ran-up an imposing 297-3 in 50 overs, narrowly surpassing their previous competition best of 296 made against Loughborough Lightning in 2021.
Jones dominated a huge stand of 189 in 31 overs for the third wicket Abi Freeborn, who raised a thrilling unbeaten 89 from 94 balls after Sparks had been put into bat. It was a day to forget for a ragged Storm side that conceded 40 extras and returned to the foot of the table after suffering an eighth defeat in 11 outings.
Sophia Smale raised 53 from 47 balls and added 73 in 12 overs with Sophie Luff for the second wicket, but Storm were undermined by the advent of spin, Georgia Davis, Hannah Baker and Chris Pavely claiming a combined tally of 9-72 in 21 overs as the home side were dismissed for a disappointing 152 in 33 overs. Davis took full advantage of scoreboard pressure to return career-best figures of 6-23, while Pavely claimed 2-15 and Baker 1-34.
After the game, all-rounder Smale said: “It was an absolute road out there and I did think that chasing 297 was achievable. But I also think we allowed them to have too many runs. We could have bowled better and, although going at five an over is acceptable in 50-over cricket, we needed more of us going to threes or fours.
“Bowling 40 extras was also a bit of a problem and we know we have a few things to work on before the next game. Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition and Eve Jones batted superbly well to make 130.
“We started well with the bat and it was going nicely against the seamers.
“But then the spinners came on, we lost a few quick wickets and things fell away from there. The pitch was not turning, so I cannot quite understand why nine wickets fell to spin. There were some poor shots and it was down to us rather than anything in the pitch, which was excellent.”
Storm got to South East Stars next on Saturday, before travelling to Sunrisers on Wednesday.