Katherine Fraser hit an excellent lower middle 79 – but it wasn’t enough to prevent defeat as the Northern Diamonds were beaten in a 45-over contest in Mumbai today.
The Scotland international, batting at eight, hit eight fours and three sixes in 83 balls, having been forced into a recovery job from 41-6 chasing a target of 250. She underpinned a total of 180 all out in 43 overs, meaning a 69-run loss.
Earlier, Phoebe Turner and Lizzie Scott both encouraged with two wickets in four overs apiece as the Sparks, having been inserted, totalled 249-7.
Their standout performers were seamer Ellie Anderson with 5-36 from eight overs – she took the new ball – and opener Chloe Brewer with 68. Emily Arlott also added 58.
Both regions used nine bowlers apiece at the Kalina Air India ground. No bowler bowled more than Anderson in the match.
Lauren Winfield-Hill captained the Diamonds, just as she had done in Friday’s T20 defeat.
Summary Scorecard 10455886 (dragged)
Unfortunately, she was one of three early wickets for Anderson, who bowled her and opening partner Sterre Kalis and had Rebecca Duckworth caught behind as the score slipped to 6-3 inside five overs.
Anderson later returned to get Sophia Turner caught for 16 and Fraser bowled – the last wicket to fall. Turner bowled five overs for 15.
Phoebe Turner’s useful day continued with 22 added to her 2-7 from four overs; she had trapped both Brewer and ex-Diamond Ami Campbell lbw in the first innings.
Lizzie Scott added 12 to her wickets (2-33 from four) of Bethan Ellis caught and Lexie Cantrill bowled.
Jess Woolston also added 18 as the Diamonds ensured respectability after their top order problems.
With the ball, seamer Woolston, Rachel Slater and Katie Levick all struck once apiece. Batting star Fraser also sent down seven overs of off-spin at a cost of 24.
Summary Scorecard 10455886 (dragged) 2
Away from India, Diamonds captain Hollie Armitage made her England senior debut in the third T20 international against New Zealand at Nelson.
Armitage, 26-years-old, came into the game – a defeat – at the mid-innings break as a concussion substitute to replace Sarah Glenn, who was injured whilst fielding.
Armitage made one as England, chasing 156, slipped from 127-2 in the 16th over to 152-8 in the 20th. Bess Heath also played and made three.
England lead the five-match series 2-1.
The Diamonds arrive back in the UK from India on Tuesday.
