Report: South Central Counties Cup, Duke of Norfolk XI v Fairbreak

Game One

The Best of Region ‘Duke of Norfolk’ XI started the day with a resounding 52-run victory against the Fairbreak Global XI at Arundel Castle.

Having been put into bat, the opening pair of Ella Chandler and Mary Taylor set about taking the attack to the Fairbreak bowlers, bringing up their 50-partnership two balls after the powerplay.

The opening pair doubled up, reaching 102 before Taylor was the first player to fall, caught off the bowling of Bhavika Gajipra for 43.

Chandler kept going, retiring after reaching her half century, before a run-a-ball 20 from Sophie Mitchelmore powered the Duke of Norfolk XI to 144-4 in their 20 overs.

It appeared to be a good day to be an opener, as the Fairbreak XI made it to 40 before they lost their first wicket, captain Yasmin Daswani for 17, before the Southern Vipers’ Ariana Dowse also fell for 17.

Ava Lee then came into the fold and set about taking the game away from the touring side, as she ended up with figures of 3-12 off her four overs.

Fellow spinner Gemma Porter picked up a couple of wickets to her name, before a couple of late stumpings from Chloe Hill restricted the Fairbreak XI to 92-9 in 20 overs.

Scorecard

Game Two

Electing to bat first second time around, PJ Watkins made it seem like a decision the Fairbreak XI would regret, as she removed Sonali Patel for a duck with her fifth ball, before following it up with the wicket of Zainab Khan for 8.

However, the experienced Roberta Moretti Avery, along with Saba Nasim, helped rebuild the visitors’ innings.

A partnership of 58 came to an end when Avery was run out by Sophie Mitchelmore for 35, and not long after, Nasim too was run out, for 21.

Two more run outs followed, by Mamta Kothiyal and Mary Taylor, as the Fairbreak XI ended their innings on 99-6.

In reply, the Duke of Norfolk XI also got off to a tricky start, as Laura Bailey bowled both openers to leave the home side in a difficult spot of 26-2.

Numbers three and four, like in the Fairbreak innings, set about a rebuild.

Holly Rider and Poppy Tulloch both made it into the 20s, with the latter striking 23 off 17 balls.

Tulloch fell with the score on 62, and, with the scores level, Rider was caught behind by Yasmin Daswani.

A single from Millie Taylor off her first ball sealed victory for the Duke of Norfolk XI by six wickets, with the home side being the first women’s team in the 125-year history of the Duke of Norfolk XI to play under the name.

Scorecard