The clubs who finished in the bottom two spots the previous season squared off in this season’s season opener, and Sparks got off to a spectacular start led by Davina Perrin’s undefeated 79 off only 48 balls.
The Sunrisers fielded first and were pushed to 138 for 6 by Alice MacLeod’s 54 off 39 balls against an onslaught spearheaded by Emily Arlott and Hannah Baker.
Two sixes and thirteen fours from Perrin and Australian overseas player Courtney Webb, the chase was finished quickly. With an uninterrupted fourth-wicket partnership of 83 in 47 balls, the score appeared to be a little below par, and that was confirmed. With 36 balls left, Sparks easily reached 142 for three, despite Mady Villiers taking 2 for 36.
On a beautiful day at New Road, Joanne Gardner gave Sunrisers a good start, dominating an opening partnership of 40 in 35 balls with Grace Scrivens. However, both players fell in three balls. Gardner was bowled after being tricked by the flight of Baker’s opening ball, while Scrivens faltered over a very tight single and was defeated by Perrin’s throw. After Arlott bowled Villiers with a slog and Baker dismissed Cordelia Griffith, the Sunrisers could only manage 50 for 4 in 19 deliveries after trailing 40 without loss.
Davina Perrin stars as Sparks beat Sunrisers
After batting calmly and adding 50 runs in six overs, MacLeod and Jodi Grewcock gave their side something to bowl at. However, the former dropped an attempted sweep at Arlott and was leg before wicket on the last ball of the session.
Sunrisers, who finished last year’s Charlotte Edwards Cup with seven losses in a row, knew they had to get on the ball early and they did. In the first 13 balls, they had both openers out of the game when Ami Campbell hit Eva Gray for a six and Abi Freeborn was leg before wicket after attempting a sweep at Villiers.
The visitors had a glimmer of hope when Sparks captain Eve Jones chipped Villiers to mid-off, but Perrin’s clean-hit assault, bolstered by Webb’s controlled and encouraging assistance, quickly put an end to it as Sparks cruised to victory.
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