Grace Harris continues purple patch to give Spirit 3 wins in a row with her 50 off 32 balls enough to beat the Originals.
Another Grace Harris fifty gives Spirit three wins from three.
In a thrilling match at Emirates Old Trafford, reigning champions London Spirit defeated Manchester Originals, making it three from three. Grace Harris’ exquisitely timed, undefeated 50 was the highlight of the match.
Spirit, full of confidence, won the toss and chose to bowl first. They had a dream start when Melie Kerr was unnecessarily run out going for a nonexistent second from a free hit after Georgia Redmayne beautifully caught Kathryn Bryce down the leg side.
The Originals batted intelligently, with Deandra Dottin alternating between strong defence and the occasional blazing strike. Beth Mooney counterpunched momentarily, going from 46 for 4 after 39 balls.
Fi Morris and Alice Monaghan provided her with strong support as she led the home team to 122 for 6, with Charlie Dean and Sarah Glenn aiming for less than a run per ball.
Before unleashing their own world-class spinners, Mahika Gaur found considerable swing and bowled 15 of the first 25 balls in reply, keeping the Originals in the game. At the centre of the action was New Zealand leggie Kerr, who bowled Dani Gibson for a duck and made catches to dismiss Redmayne and Kira Chathli.
The big-hitting Australian Harris, however, was crucial in Spirit’s first-up victory over the Oval Invincibles. He started steadily as the run rate increased and smashed 89 not out off 42 balls. Harris smashed a six just beyond Monaghan’s outstretched fingers after a four off a no-ball and a free hit six moved the equation to 30 off 21 and then 16 off the final 10. However, Bryce left the game hanging by dismissing Dean and Issy Wong leg before wicket in quick succession.
Five runs were needed from the final five after Glenn edged for four off the first ball, and she sealed the victory with another boundary off the 98th ball.