Trent Bridge was lucky to witness another one of those Nadine de Klerk specials in a chase. The South African all-rounder has made it a good habit of finishing tricky chases and she is doing it all around the world on the biggest of stages. The Trent Rockets have encountered their first loss of the season and on the other hand the London Spirit have gotten off the mark.
There is plenty action tomorrow as well in the women's Hundred. Table toppers South Brave take on MI London at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Do join us for live action at 7:30 PM IST (3 PM Local Time).
On this note, I, Manan Mehta would like to take your leave on behalf of my colleague Paras Yadav. CIAO!
Nadine de Klerk (POTM):"[On the win] There is nothing better than getting across the line. Obviously, an away game and that makes it pretty special.
[On the target set for them] Yeah, we felt that it was a pretty good score. Very chasable. It probably played a bit better than we expected initially and I think we did a great job with the ball at the backend."
Player of the Match: Nadine de Klerk
9:40 PM IST, 5:10 PM Local Time: London Spirit win by 5 wickets! This has been a stunning run chase from the London Spirit. It was made very difficult by the Trent Rockets who were immaculate with their bowling for most of it. However, it was that player again, Nadine de Klerk who stood tall in the moment of trial and got her side over the line against all odds.
London Spirit Women won the toss and elected to bowl first. Marizanne Kapp got them off to a perfect start with two maidens on the bounce. Post that, decent contributions from Sophie Dunkley (23 off 15), Sophie Luff (24 off 19) and Ash Gardner (34 off 22) pushed the score to 95/5. It looked like the Trent Rockets would end near 120 but a fine late order flourish from Bess Health (30* off 19) pushed the score to 142/7 in 100 balls. The pick of the bowlers were Marizanne Kapp (3/12) and Charlie Dean (2/18).
The chase started off on a great note for the London Spirit. Openers, Grace Harris and Amy Jones added 55 for the first wicket before Harris skied one to get dismissed for 37 off 20. Amy Jones got immediately for 21 and a couple more wickets fell in quick succession. Marizanne Kapp (2 off 5) and Sterre Kalis (0 off 2) couldn't contribute in the middle order and with their dismissals the Spirit were reeling at 67/4. So, from 55/0, they slipped to 67/4 and were pushed against the wall.
Nadine de Klerk joined Marie Kelly and the pair started rebuilding. They slowly shifted through the gears and once both were set, they took the attack to the bowlers. They picked their match ups and scored briskly. The pair added 63 for the 5th wicket and the partnership finally came to an end when Marie Kelly was stumped for 39 off 26. She had done her bit by then. Nadine de Klerk did the finishing job as she nailed a couple of crucial sixes to see her team over the line with 3 balls to spare. Nadine finished with 41* off 22 balls. The pick of the bowlers for the Rockets was Ash Gardner (2-24). Sam Bates, Georgia Elwiss and Katie Levick got a wicket each to their name.
6 SIX! Nadine de Klerk finishes it off in style. That is a might blow and the London Spirit get off the mark in this year's competition. Fullish ball tossed up outside off stump, Nadine shuffles across early and collapses the back leg before sweeping it high and handsome over the fielder at deep backward square for a maximum. London Spirit Women win by 5 wickets with 3 balls to spare.
96b Georgia Adams to Nadine de Klerk
2 Over the wicket, full ball outside off stump, 48 mph, Nadine shuffles across and sweeps the ball to the right of deep backward square leg for a couple of runs. Just 3 more runs needed off 4 balls.
7 runs off that five from Gardner. She finishes with 2-24 in 20 balls. 5 more runs to win off 5 balls and Nadine de Klerk is on strike. Georgia Adams to bowl it.