Tuesday 9 August 2016 15:50, UK
Stafanie Taylor's unbeaten 74 guided Western Storm to a thrilling five-wicket victory over Surrey Stars in the Kia Super League.
Taylor, who dropped England star Natalie Sciver (90 not out) on two during the Surrey innings, put on an unbeaten 71 with Sophie Luff (21 not out) to see the Storm home in the final over of a remarkable game at Bristol's Brightside ground.
Having chosen to bat first, Surrey made a steady start thanks to England's Tammy Beaumont and fellow opener Bryony Smith. However, having reached 19, Smith tried one expansive shot too many and was bowled by England's Anya Shrubsole.
Beaumont and Cordelia Griffith (14) added 18 for the second wicket and Beaumont and Sciver 26 for the third before the former was finally out, for 13, run out by a smart piece of fielding from Taylor.
Sciver batted with great purpose despite losing fourth wicket partner Marizanne Kapp, for two with the gifted all-rounder reaching her half century off 29 balls with nine fours and a six.
With Beth Morgan (5), she added 29 for the fifth wicket, before Morgan gifted Freya Davies her second wicket at 119 for 5, in the 16th over.
Sciver hit Taylor for four successive boundaries in the 17th over and reached 161 for 6 by the end of their innings with the England all-rounder unbeaten on 90 from just 45 balls.
The Storm's reply could not have got off to a worse start. Having hit seven off the opening over, they lost their first wicket when Rachel Priest was run out for seven at 8 for 1. Captain Knight (6) departed at 16 for 2 and when Fran Wilson (0) was trapped lbw at 17 for 3, the Storm's chances appeared to have disappeared.
However, Taylor and Lizelle Lee joined forces to drag the hosts back into the contest with a combination of good running and some lusty blows contributing to a fourth wicket stand of 76.
Lee reached her 50 off 35 balls with eight fours and two sixes, but was out shortly after, for 53, caught by Sciver off the bowling of Lea Tahuhu at 93 for 4. It was soon 94 for 5 with Georgia Hennessey (1) trapped lbw by Sciver.
Only then did the Storm come to life with Taylor and Luff hitting the ball to all four corners. Gradually they set off in pursuit of their target and with the help of some poor fielding and one or two dropped catches, they won the day in the final over during which Taylor struck two sixes and a four.
