NEWCASTLE, England, CMC – Deandra Dottin’s calculated unbeaten half-century guided Thunder to their first Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy win with a six-wicket victory over Northern Diamonds here Tuesday.
Chasing 168 at Roseworth Terrace, Thunder reached their target with 68 balls to spare, the 32-year-old Dotting top-scoring with 54 not out off 86 deliveries.
The former West Indies all-rounder arrived at the crease with her side in trouble at 58 for three at the end of the 12th over and found an ally in Naomi Dattani (46), with whom she added 98 for the fourth wicket, to take the game away from Diamonds.
Earlier, Diamond was dismissed for 167 in the 44th over after being sent in, Lauren Winfield-Hill top-scoring with 33 off 38 balls and fellow opener Sterre Kalis getting 21, the pair posting 58 for the first wicket.
However, they were the only ones to pass 20, as the innings declined after that, left-arm seamer Dattani wrecking the innings with four for 16.
Dottin’s three overs leaked 20 runs and yielded no wickets.
In reply, Emma Lamb (21) ensured a positive start for Thunder, putting on 32 for the first wicket with Seren Smale (15) and 26 for the second wicket with Dattani.
Thunder was stuttering when Lamb and Fi Morris (0) perished in the exact 12th over from leg-spinner Katie Levick. Still, Dottin took the initiative away from Diamonds, punching five fours in an attractive inning.
Dattani faced 89 deliveries and struck half-dozen fours before perishing in the 37th over with Thunder in sight of victory.
Thunder have endured a nightmare run in their eight outings, losing three matches, suffering a no-result and an abandonment, and two tied games.
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