Ashleigh Gardner, Alana King make star turns for Rockets
Grace Scrivens half-century sets hosts up before Aussies dampen Spirit
Grace Scrivens half-century sets hosts up before Aussies dampen Spirit
Scorer: Sudeep Poojar | Commentator: Rvel Zahid
Ashleigh Gardner, Match Hero: It was huge, it was probably the first game that we put all three facets of the game together. The openers did a fantastic job, getting us the start and probably the best we were with the ball as well...pretty perfect performance. Just taking the pace away, there was obviously a strong breeze out there as well, just making it hard for the batters, length was crucial...just trying to bowl into the wicket rather than fuller because that seems to be a little bit easier when it was half-volley, overall spin kind of worked today
Marvelous work by the batters as they posted a stiff total of 158, which proved daunting for Spirit. Despite their spirited efforts, it felt like they were always playing catch-up as the Rockets consistently pegged them back with wickets, preventing them from having any big manhattans. Earlier, Bryony Smith got off to a flier, racing to 34 before getting run out on the 46th ball, with Dean getting her fingertips on the ball when Scrivens smashed it back towards the bowler. Scrivens continued her pyrotechnics and was keen on sweeping the ball. Nat Sciver-Brunt upped the ante with a quickfire 21 off 12 and Heather Graham remained unbeaten with a 22-run blitzkrieg. Deepti Sharma took two wickets for 25 runs while Sarah Glenn picked up one wicket in her spell but Spirit couldn't make consistent inroads and the Rockets were aggressive from ball one.
In reply, Meg Lanning provided a brisk start before miscuing one at mid-on, falling for 23. Redmayne and Cordelia made brief appearances and then Heather Knight attempted to get them back in the game with a counter-attacking 29 off 20 balls. Gibson was trapped lbw for 13 and made a desperate review. Deepti came in with intent but struggled to clear the ropes, ending unbeaten on 30 as Spirit fell short of the huge total. Ashleigh Gardner exploited the conditions brilliantly, spinning a web around Spirit and picking up three crucial wickets in a match-turning spell. Alana King also took three wickets as batters tried to dominate her but ended up finding fielders. It was a much-needed win for the Rockets, who jump to fifth place, while Spirit remain in fifth position on the points table after this match
This is Rvel Zahid signing off. More Hundred action to follow, with the Men's game starting imminently
E Gray run out 7 (10m 8b 0x4 0x6) SR: 87.50
Grace Scrivens half-century sets hosts up before Aussies dampen Spirit