After winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Sparks’ tremendous bowling display led by Georgia Davis, was enough to give the hosts victory.
Along with Davis’ four wickets, Hannah Baker, Katie George and Issy Wong all took two each to bowl the Northern Diamonds out for 161.
Morning drizzle didn’t dampen the day as the sun came out in Worcester as the Sparks got the win over last year’s competition winners.
After choosing to bowl after winning the toss, Emily Arlott opened the bowling, soon followed by Grace Potts and the two led the powerplay before Wong entered the fray.
England international Lauren Winfield-Hill opened the batting for the Diamonds and was up to 40 within 40 balls. The Sparks number 95 got her out and stopped the Diamonds’ wicket keeper’s run of passing the 50 mark in nine innings.
After the first wicket was taken, the visitors stayed in the game and piled the runs on, before a wicket from Wong again and Katie George derailed the Diamonds’ run scoring.
Just like last weekend at Trent Bridge, the Sparks bowled well and were potent with their attack. Captain Eve Jones set her field well all innings. As well as some excellent bowling, Lloyd Tennant’s side fielded with a purpose, which saw Davina Perrin pounce from mid-off a couple of times, one in which was to make a terrific catch to see off Hollie Armitage, whose shot skewed away.
Once the Sparks had got the wicket of Winfield-Hill, it was crucial that they saw South African international Chloe Tryon off. They eventually did that through George and the last few wickets fell very soon from then on in.
Turn to the batting, and it was a complete difference from the tough wicket the Sparks dealt with in Nottingham. After being dismissed for four, Chloe Brewer was replaced by Abbey Freeborn, and alongside Jones, built a strong partnership that guided the Sparks to victory.
The home side were 73/1 after 17 overs, with Jones and Freeborn having built up a partnership of 56. They looked comfortable at the crease and had the time to be able to post the runs that they did.
Captain Jones got a half century, finishing on well past the 50 mark.
Some lacklustre fielding from the Diamonds allowed the Sparks pair to get the boundaries away that they did and after an impressive bowling display, the Sparks carried that on with the bat and delivered a victory in just their second game of the season.
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