WALES WOMEN CRUSH ESSEX DESPITE SUNDAY WASH-OUT
1st June 2018
| Mallory Gray
WALES WOMEN CRUSH ESSEX DESPITE SUNDAY WASH-OUT
Wales Women’s County Championship continued last weekend with a double-header against Sussex at Newport CC and Essex at Pontarddulais CC. Unfortunately, the weather claimed the victory on Sunday as the morning’s storms proved too heavy for any cricket to be played at Newport, which was disappointing as the Sussex side were boasting England internationals Georgia Elwiss and Danni Wyatt.
Despite no play the previous day, Wales felt fresh and confident for their second fixture on a scorching day in Pontarddulais. Captain Lauren Parfitt lost the toss, but was put into bat on a pitch and conditions that seemed to suit that discipline. Openers Priest and Basketter started positively yet again, adding 43 for the first wicket, and following the former’s dismissal for 23, Basketter started to accelerate. Following her 71 last week against Derbyshire and a half-century against Surrey, the opener’s impressive run of form continued with a commanding 78 to lay the foundations for Wales’ total of 212-4. Captain Lauren Parfitt also contributed with 62 off 103 balls, accelerating towards the end of the innings with Claire Nicholas (17 not out) to boost Wales’ total over 200 and gain maximum batting points.
On a good batting pitch, Wales needed quick wickets and openers Danielle Gibson (1-20) and Ffion Wynne (1-14) delivered in the first few overs to remove both opening batsmen and assert real pressure on the Essex line-up. Batting at number 5, Essex’s Cordelia Griffith looked in sublime form as she raced to 37 including 7 boundaries and gave the impression that their hope of victory was in her hands. However, a phenomenal catch at deep midwicket from youngster Alex Griffiths led to her dismissal, and led to a drastic decrease in the run-rate, and wickets began to tumble. From 96-5 to 117 all out, spinner Ffion Cartwright finished with exceptional figures of 5-14 to demolish the tail.
An emphatic victory led to Wales claiming a maximum of 18 points from the game, and after this weekend’s fixtures they sit at 3rd in the table behind Surrey and Sussex. Next week Wales take on Devon, again at Pontarddulais CC, in another must-win game in order to avoid the 6th place play-off which takes place at the end of August.