Today is a double header day in The Hundred. The early part of the double header was Welsh Fire against Trent Rockets in the women’s. Then there was a choice of two matches – the men’s match from the first double header or the women’s London derby – MI London v London Spirit. I opted for the latter, and was rewarded – the men’s match was a complete non-contest, with the Rockets romping home by nine wickets with 28 balls to spare. The women’s London Derby was rather different…
THE MI LONDON INNINGS
MI London had been put into bat, and for much of their innings it looked like they would have a very modest total to defend. However Chinelle Henry smashed 33 not out off 12 balls at the death, including hitting the last three balls of the innings for 6,4,6. That got MI London to 151. Although Melie Kerr scored more (49 not out off 33 balls), Henry’s was the key innings in making this a defensible score.
THE LONDON SPIRIT INNINGS
For most of their innings London Spirit were ahead on comparison, but they never quite sealed the deal. Every time they looked like doing so someone got out. Marie Kelly hit 45 from 28 balls, before being caught by Henry off Gordon. Marizanne Kapp then looked to be carrying on where Kelly had left off, but immediately after hitting a six off Matthews she attacked again and was caught by Dani Gregory. Then Amy Jones assumed control, but when she had reached 49 she holed out off Kirstie Gordon. Finally, Nadine de Klerk had the chance to win it but holed out to Kerr off Matthews for 13 which left four needed off two balls and a new batter to face. London Spirit skipper Charlie Dean accepted responsibility for this task, and grabbed a single, which left Deandra Dottin on strike and needing three to win from one ball. She did her best, and got back for two to tie the scores, just getting in before the bails were removed – a direct hit would have done for and given MI London a one run win. Somewhat bizarrely Kelly’s 45 got her ‘Match Hero’ – it should quite clearly have gone to Chinelle Henry, whose innings was crucial in getting her side to a score they could even think about defending, who started the London Spirit innings by dismissing the dangerous Grace Harris for a duck, caught by skipper Hollie Armitage, and took the catch that dismissed Kelly off Gordon. If any of those things I have just listed had not happened London Spirit would have won the match, which is why Henry should have had the award and not Kelly. I am annoyed by this verdict, and it is cricket knowledge, not the fact that I grew up in south London that makes me so. Full scorecard here.
PHOTOGRAPHS
My usual sign off…
aspiblog 