BPH-W vs MNR-W: Sophie Ecclestone's all-round show keeps Originals in contention for playoffs
Manchester Originals (PC: Twitter)
Manchester Originals (MNR) emerged victorious by 18 runs against Birmingham Phoenix (BPH) in Match 20 of the Women's Hundred Competition on Sunday (28 August) at Edgbaston.
Originals post a competitive total
Originals got off to a clinical start by the in-form openers Lizelle Lee and Emma Lamb, who made full use of the powerplay overs.
The duo pierced the gaps in a proficient fashion to stitch a 53-run stand. Both of them were dismissed in quick succession, which certainly put the team in a spot of bother.
However, the knocks of Erin Burns (28 off 25) and Sophie Ecclestone (20 off 14) paved the way for Originals to post a total of 122 on the board.
Kirstie Gordon and Emily Arlott scalped two wickets apiece for the hosts.
Proficient visitors skittles Phoenix line-up
Kate Cross celebrating the wicket of Sophie Devine (PC: Twitter)
In response to the chase, Phoenix were rocked by the double blow from premier pacer Kate Cross, which sent Eve Jones and Sophie Devine back to the hut.
The in-form batter Amy Jones fell to the spinner Hannah James as well, resulting in a dismal start for the home team.
Soon, the wickets of experienced campaigners Ellysse Perry and Sophie Molineux meant Phoenix were stuttering at 22/5. However, the likes of Georgia Elwiss and Issy Wong added 46 runs for the sixth wicket, which helped lessen the losing deficit.
In the end, Ecclestone cleaned the tail and finished with prolific figures of 3/8 in 20 balls to help Originals in winning by 18 runs.
Brief Scores:
Manchester Originals- 122/6 (100b)
Emma Lamb 30 (21), Erin Burns 28 (25);
Emily Arlott 2/17
Birmingham Phoenix- 104/10 (100b)
Goergia Elwiss 32 (25), Issy Wong 24 (26)
Sophie Ecclestone 3/8
Result: Originals won by 18 runs
 "Tejas Rathi")
