Dani Hazell was pleased that Northern Diamonds kept throwing their punches before Southern Vipers ultimately knocked them down at the Utilita Bowl today.
Diamonds lost for the first time in 2024 to the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy holders in a game they were always playing catch-up after a slow start with ball and bat.
Vipers looked set for 300 after they were 145-1 at the halfway point of their innings before the likes of Erin Burns, Katie Levick and player-of-the-moment Phoebe Turner – who took 3-48 – pegged them back to 287-9.
And with the bat, 42-3 was turned around by Lauren Winfield-Hill’s latest fifty and a 45 from Erin Burns. But further wickets took the target away from them before the rain came with the visitors 162-7.
Head coach Hazell said: “We didn’t hit our straps with the ball properly in the first half, but I thought we fought back really well in the second 25 overs. They were on for maybe 30 or 40 more.
“(Winfield-Hill and Burns’ partnership) was the point where we had to throw a punch back because if we didn’t, then DLS would have kept going. Even if it was blazing sunshine, we would have been getting behind the game.
“That’s the potential we have in the batting order. The order is more experienced than our young seam attack.
“We knew rain was coming, and we knew we had to keep throwing some punches. Once you lose one or two wickets with DLS, the score rockets up.
“We were trying to sit at the DLS score, but when you lose two or three wickets at the end then the margin of victory looks bigger.”
All-rounder Phoebe Turner continued her hot streak with the ball, claiming 3-48 to go alongside another three-for and a 32 against Western Storm earlier this week.
“She’s been excellent,” said Hazell. “Phoebe has been around the team for the last few years, and we have always known the potential she has with bat and ball.
“This winter she has really kicked on with the ball and has reaped the rewards of the hard work she’s done.
“She’s one to keep an eye on. She’s a genuine all-rounder, she got a 30-odd the other day and shows the potential with both sides.”
Next up for Diamonds is a trip to Scarborough on Wednesday (10.30am), where they will look to get back to winning ways against the winless Blaze.
“There are a few bits that I want to identify before moving to Scarborough,” said Hazell.“The games are coming thick and fast, and it is about addressing the areas that we want to get better at.”
