Preist leads Wales to win against Notts

There is a Welsh comedian who jokes that the Welsh are born with raincoats already on. His compatriates lived up to that stereotype as they beat Nottinghamshire by five runs in a reduced over D/L win.

When Wales took to the field for the second innings there was slight drizzle that never went away. At times it threatened to get heavier. Like the spell of the rain that took the players off the field in the first innings.

On a pitch that didn’t suit a free-scoring feast of runs, both teams used their bowling attacks to their full potential.

Wales batted first a tactic that had seen Sussex win both of their games earlier in the day. Rachel Priest who had struggled to find her timing early on in Wales first game made no mistake in her second.

The rain came in the ninth over with Wales 54 for 2. The break in play helped Notts. When they retreated to the pavilion Priest 7 fours. Priest was bowled by Kirstie Gordon three balls after the players reemerged. Danielle Gibson followed next ball and Notts were on top.

There would only be two more fours in the rest of the Wales Innings as Amy Gauvrit took two wickets as dot balls built up. The second of those wickets was a smart stumping from Polly Inglis as Clare Nicholas fell for 1.

Wales finished on 88 for 7, and with DLS brought into contention Nottinghamshire would need 90 to win from 18 overs.

It was a total that should never have been out of reach of Notts. Even on a relatively large outfield, it was less than a run a ball.

Nicholas is a bowler that many underestimate and she was the bowler to make the breakthrough Yvonne Graves had hit the first ball of Nicholas’ second over for four.  the next three balls were dot balls and Graves was walking back to the pavilion the following ball.

Her twin sister Tressa was next in and would not depart until the end of the 17. Notts were guilty of not rotating the strike often enough as Wales bowled tight lines. With half their overs left Notts were 37 for 3.

Charlotte Scarborough’s over went for 13 runs and Notts looked to be back in the game. Lucy Higham top edged the first ball of the next over to mid-off.

As the equation went above 8 an over Notts lost a flurry of wickets and by the time Sophie Munro hit the penultimate ball for 4, it was beyond Notts. Six was needed from the final ball but it never came.