Sciver's all-round performance; Surrey Stars claim another win

After having the embarrassing defeat against Yorkshire Diamonds, Surrey Stars claim a wonderful victory against Southern Vipers. They won by 4 wickets at the County Ground, Hove.

After having won the toss and elected to field, Stars struck in the very first over. Tammy Beaumont went for a duck. Sarah Taylor’s quick glove-work and Laura Marsh’s wide delivery helped them to get their first breakthrough. They got their second breakthrough in the form of Danielle Wyatt. She scored a quickfire 15 off 12. Due to Suzie Bates and Mignon du Preez's steady partnership, Stars managed to score 74 runs after 10 overs. Soon, du Preez joined the openers in the pavilion.

Vipers got the big blow when Sciver picked up McGlashan and Brindle in the same over. Bates single-handedly anchored the innings till the 18.5 overs and scored a magnificent 82 off 57 with 13 fours and a six. Vipers failed to make a steady partnership as no other batter could reach the double digits. They managed to put 147 runs at the end of the 20 overs.

Sciver took 4 wickets, van Niekerk and Kapp scalped 2 wickets each and Marsh picked up 1 wicket for Surrey Stars.

While chasing 148, Stars managed to score 31 runs in the powerplay. Soon after the powerplay, Amelia Kerr handed over the first breakthrough to her team. She picked up the dangerous looking Lizelle Lee, who scored 25 off 22 with 3 fours and a six. Soon, her opening partner Bryony Smith too joined her in the pavilion.

Sarah Taylor, then, started building a steady partnership with captain Nat Sciver. They both added 73 runs before the former became Kerr’s second victim. Taylor scored 38 off 30 with 4 fours. Sciver was dismissed by a direct throw from Bates in the 19th over. She scored a blitzy 46 off 33 with 5 fours and a six. Along with her knock, Dane van Niekerk's 10 off 5 and Kapp's 7 off 3 helped Stars to win the match with 3 balls to spare.

Natalie Sciver was awarded the 'Player Of The Match' for her brilliant spell (4-0-32-4) and a match-winning knock of 46 (33).

Suzie Bates and Amelia Kerr picked up 2-wicket each and Danielle Wyatt scalped 1 for Southern Vipers. With this loss, Vipers are officially out of the competition.

Southern Vipers will face Lancashire Thunder on 18th August; while Surrey Stars will play their next match against Western Storm on the same day.