MATCH REPORT: Lancashire Thunder get convincing win over Bucks
Lancashire Thunder are through to the next round of the Vitality County T20 Cup after a dominant win over Bucks Cricket at Neston Cricket Club.
Half-centuries for Eve Jones and Tilly Kesteven set their side up superbly, with the bowlers doing their job to secure the win for the defending champions.
After losing the toss and being asked to bat first on a hot day by the coast, Lancashire got off to a flier. Openers Jones and Emma Lamb (35) wasted no time at all, racing to 62 at the end of the powerplay.
Left-hander Jones was very much the aggressor in the opening six overs and had 48 to her name inside those first 30 balls. She dominated the Bucks bowlers, striking the ball to all parts, and reached 50 not long after.
Alongside Lamb, she brought up Lancs’ 100 for the loss of no wicket but fell one ball before the half-way point. Jones was dismissed for a superb 64, hitting 13 boundaries, ending her excellent partnership with the England international.
Kesteven replaced her at the crease, and despite Lamb losing her wicket a couple of overs later, the Lancs number three continued to attack.
A brutal 15th over from the left-hander was the highlight of her innings, as she hit Eva Lewis for 25 runs, including three fours and two sixes. It was simply brutal striking.
That over put Lancs well on course to score 200 or more. Despite Seren Smale (8) and Ellie Threlkeld (6) both falling, Kesteven and Fi Morris (18) continued to motor. Morris struck three boundaries, and Kesteven brought up her 50 in just 21 balls as Lancs passed the 200-run mark.
A boundary from Dani Collins (7*) in the final over saw Thunder get up to 221-5, with Kesteven finishing not out on 55 from only 27 balls.
With plenty of runs to play with, Lancs started superbly with ball in hand.
Tara Norris grabbed two wickets in the third over of the innings, having Afra Mohamed caught at mid-off by Threlkeld, who did not take the gloves, before Kesteven took the catch of Rosie Burton-Pye in the covers.
Bucks were able to rebuild, but Venus Weerappuli broke the third wicket partnership by having Annie Townsend caught at long-on by Norris, who you could not keep out of the game.
Wickets continued to fall after the halfway mark. Fi Morris picked up the wicket of wicket-keeper Tilly Fellows, thanks to a superb grab on the boundary from Collins at deep square leg. Sophie Morris, making a return to full fitness after injury, had Tegan Stockdale stumped by Seren Smale.
Thunder wrapped up a 110 win in commanding fashion with two final wickets. Olivia Brinsden, making her professional debut, picked up the wicket of Zaynah Wani, who chipped the ball up to Collins at mid-wicket.
Norris got a run-out off the last ball to seal the win for Lancashire and send them through to the next round, as their trophy defence goes on.
;