Lauren Winfield-Hill top-scored with 42, but the England opener’s encouraging effort at the top of the order was not enough to help the Northern Diamonds chase down 148 in their opening pre-season friendly against the South East Stars at Desert Springs in Spain today.
Phoebe Franklin’s 53 retired out opening the batting was a significant part of the Stars’ T20 victory.
Franklin’s effort with the willow underpinned 147-4, the first of the wickets going to fledgling Scottish off-spinner Katherine Fraser.
In reply, the Diamonds’ progress was stymied by two wickets each for Dani Gregory, Ryana MacDonald-Gay and Bethan Miles, and they finished on 115-9 in a 32-run reverse.
Sterre Kalis and debutant Rebecca Duckworth both made 15.
The Diamonds are back in action on Sunday when they tackle Sunrisers in a 50-over clash.
