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England quick averaged 76mph during furious spell that helped England to snatch victory in third T20I

Valkerie Baynes08-Jul-2025Blazing a trail for cricket’s fast-bowling women suits Lauren Filer just fine, but she’ll gladly pull others along with her.Filer averaged 76mph in bowling the fastest recorded over in women’s cricket during England’s thrilling five-run victory over India in the third T20I at The Oval on Friday. She was twice clocked at 79mph in her fourth over – the 16th in India’s pursuit of 172 – and she said the magical 80mph mark was firmly on her radar.”Not to sound cocky, but I think I knew that I’d be able to push close to 80,” Filer said of that over. “I sort of touched on 78 every so often over the last year and, for me on Friday, the great thing about it was the fact that it was more consistent, that’s what I’ve been trying to do.Related

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“It’s not necessarily hitting that one ball that’s 80, that’s not going to make the difference. The difference is the consistency of increasing my speed. From the game in Trent Bridge, I think I was averaging 73, then I went up to 75 in Bristol and now obviously 76 at The Oval.”That’s what I’m trying to aim for and hopefully again I can hit that 80 number. I’m just going to try and keep consistently bowling at that mid-70s and in the women’s game that’s not heard of very often, so that’s my aim.”Filer has made some technical changes, including increasing her run-up since returning from the knee injury which kept her out of England’s T20I series against West Indies earlier in the season. As a result, she feels more “in time”.”Bowling’s all about feel,” she said. “It’s not about trying to lug it down as fast as you can because on Friday I didn’t necessarily feel at my quickest, but actually it’s usually then is when you probably are bowling your quickest, it’s all about flow and rhythm.”So it is more just getting into time and cleaning up my action. I’m quite limby, it’s all limbs go everywhere, so it’s all just bringing it together and that’s what’s happened over the last couple of games.”Filer has a propensity to fall over in her follow-through, which particularly stood out during the Ashes in January. There, she said her front foot was sliding a long way along the surfaces, causing her to fall over, which wasn’t a problem in the moments when she went tumbling in London last week.”It’s nothing that’s to be massively concerned about,” she said. “Sometimes it’s the pitch and then sometimes it’s just me.”Sometimes I just land and I just get in a position where I end up having to just tuck and roll and I’ve sort of mastered that, which is good because it just hurts less.Filer is hoping to breach the 80mph barrier•ECB via Getty Images”We’re not too concerned as long I’m staying on my feet the majority of the time. It’s not affecting me massively and I can still generally bowl quick with this action. If I can do that, I don’t want to tweak with it too much because it could end up affecting it negatively.”Last year, Shabnim Ismail breached 130kph (80.7mph) for the first time in the women’s game, playing for Mumbai Indians against Delhi Capitals at the WPL, reaching 132.1kph (82.08mph) nine months after she retired from international cricket.South African Ismail also holds the record for the fastest delivery in women’s international cricket – 128kmph (79.54mph) against West Indies in 2016.The prospect of putting herself in that 80mph bracket brings a sense of excitement for Filer in terms of highlighting fast bowling in the women’s game.”That’s probably the reason why I want to hit it,” she said. “It’s not necessarily a personal milestone in myself, but actually proving that women can get to that milestone and hopefully others can follow as well.”I don’t want it just to be one or two people. We want loads of women to be able to be bowling at that speed. After Friday people are probably talking about it more than they were and hopefully if I can hit it then it encourages other people to try and aim for that and actually make the game even more exciting than it already is.”Filer isn’t the first bowler in this England women’s team to speak of bowling at 80mph. Five years ago, a then-17-year-old Issy Wong said she had ambitions to reach the milestone because it had “never been hit by a girl yet”.Wong is still re-establishing herself in England’s T20I squad after battling problems with her rhythm and run-up in 2023, having made her international debut the previous year. She took 1 for 36 from her four overs at The Oval, her first outing of the series with India, having played two T20Is against West Indies.Filer took 2 for 30 in the latest game against India, that pivotal over resulting in a dropped catch off Harmanpreet Kaur, the key wicket of Smriti Mandhana for 56 and a spicy welcome for Richa Ghosh, pinged hard on the helmet, all in the space of three deliveries.England will need more of the same as their next encounter, at Old Trafford on Wednesday, remains a must-win game for the hosts if they are to keep the five-match series alive. India lead 2-1 after a thumping 97-run win in the opening match at Trent Bridge and 24-run victory in Bristol.Winning matches for England, Filer says, is her main aim and the reason she has her eye on the speed gun.”I’ve always sort of kept a number on the speeds, but it’s not necessarily a judgement piece for me. It probably shows me whether I’m doing my technical stuff right,” she said.”If I don’t do some of the technical stuff that I have been doing right then I end up being slower. So for me it’s more of a thing to see if I’ve done my stuff well. I generally come off a pitch and ask the analyst what my average speed was and what my fastest ball was just to see where I was at.”I want to help us win games and if that means bowling 80 miles an hour or getting close to it, if that’s the way, then great. If it’s not, then I’ve got to focus on my variations or doing something else that’s going to help us win games.”

Down 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Arizona Diamondbacks had the bases loaded with a chance to do some damage and potentially come away with a comeback win over the New York Mets. Corbin Carroll got a slider low in the zone, took his swing, and watched his ball go out of the playing field for a grand slam.

As Carroll left the box, he took a few seconds to stare. You might think he was admiring his hit, but he admitted during media availability after the game that what he was actually doing was glancing at the Statcast data—his exit velocity and launch angle—on the hit to see if it was a home run or not.

"I looked up at the exit velo and the launch angle in right field and I was pretty sure," Carroll said. "I didn't know off the bat so I gave it a look."

Asked if he looked at the data on for a 440-foot home run earlier in the game, Carroll said, "No I was running a little bit. We got a big center field so, yeah, can never be too sure."

The solo home run to center earlier in the game went off the bat at 108.8 MPH with a launch angle of 27 degrees. His grand slam later was off the bat at 102.5 miles per hour with a launch angle of 33 degrees.

Earlier in the game, the Mets battled for a lead out of a 4-0 deficit.

The Atlanta Braves' season is over following the club's 5-4 loss to the San Diego Padres in the wild-card series on Wednesday—and the defeat could spell the end of starting pitcher Max Fried's tenure with the team.

Fried, a free agent this offseason, became emotional when he was asked what it has meant to him to wear the Braves uniform following the club's playoff elimination.

"To me … It means everything," Fried said, according to Zach Klein of WSB-TV. "It's the organization that traded for me and gave me an opportunity to come to the big leagues and be an established big league player."

"Everyone, from my teammates here day-in, day-out, coaching staff, front office, organization, fans, city … Obviously, don't know what's going to happen. But I've absolutely loved every minute of it and hope there are many more."

If Wednesday was indeed Fried's final start as a member of the Braves, it was a cruel ending. The southpaw lasted just two innings, surrendering eight hits and five earned runs in the loss. In the bottom of the first inning, Fried was hit in the hip by a line drive off the bat of Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr.

During the game, Braves manager Brian Snitker told the ESPN broadcast that Fried's hip was bothering him and that the injury factored into the decision to go to the bullpen early.

As poorly as Fried's outing went, it can certainly be argued that the Braves don't even get into the postseason without his eight-inning gem against the Kansas City Royals this past Friday in what may have been his final start at Truist Park.

But it will be difficult for Fried—and Braves fans to deal with an injury and an early exit representing some of the last memories of his tenure with Atlanta.

Fried, who will turn 31 in January, pitched to an 11-10 record with a 3.25 ERA and 128 strikeouts in 174 1/3 innings in 2024. He told reporters at the All-Star Game that he'd "love" to remain in Atlanta. But given the way he pitched in '24, it's fair to expect the Braves to have competition in retaining his services.

Grace Harris holds her nerve at the death as Fire make mess of run chase

ECB Media09-Aug-2025London Spirit snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in Cardiff to clinch a last-ball thriller against Welsh Fire in the Hundred and maintain their 100% record at the start of this year’s competition.Having been bowled out for 124, Spirit were staring down the barrel with Welsh Fire well set on 73 for 1 in reply, but the home side stumbled as the finish line approached and ultimately fell short.With just 24 runs needed from the last 20 balls, and eight wickets in hand, the result seemed a formality but Sophia Dunkley and Jess Jonassen fell as Spirit inched their way back into the contest, and Grace Harris held her nerve with ball in hand to defend seven runs from the final five balls.That the visitors were in the game at the halfway mark at all, despite having been bowled out, was predominantly due to Charli Knott, who made 47.Knott’s effort – for which she was awarded Meerkat Match Hero – knitted together what was a strange innings, with wickets falling in clusters. Legspinner Katie Levick took two in two and recorded figures of 3 for 26.Levick and her fellow bowlers would have thought they may have done enough, but while Welsh Fire looked favourites for much of the game – with Hayley Matthews and Dunkley classy as ever – they weren’t able to get over the line.It signals a second consecutive defeat for Tammy Beaumont’s side, but for Charlie Dean’s defending champions it’s top place and two from two.Match Hero Knott said: “I was definitely a little bit nervous out on the boundary there at the end. I think we knew we were in the game, Gracie pulled off a great over, and we’re very excited to get the win there.”It was a little bit tough when I started my innings. I tried to just get into my innings and hit the sweepers hard, and then I was able to cash in a little bit at the end. I think the wicket just held up a little bit, and we got caught out playing across the line a little bit so the gameplan was to hit the sweepers hard and it paid off for me in the end.”I think in close games like that everyone just has to try and stay nice and level. I think we knew we were in the game from the start, it wasn’t a road by any means, so everyone was on their toes hunting from the get-go, which was great to see. To pull off a win like that, everyone will be in high spirits, so we’ll take the momentum for sure and hopefully keep rolling through.”

Liverpool didn’t just keep an eye on developments at Anfield last weekend, with Fulham winger Kevin coming to the attention of the Reds’ recruitment chiefs.

Arne Slot has found himself under a bit of pressure recently due to a frustrating run of results for the Reds, which has seen them fall behind Arsenal in the league standings.

Nevertheless, Liverpool got back on track after defeating Aston Villa on Merseyside last weekend, putting in a controlled performance to move within seven points of top spot, and the Dutch boss paid tribute to the home support for their role in cheering their side onto all three points.

He said: “To get the support the players got, the support I got, is what makes this club special. They don’t forget if you have been a part of something special and they help you when things are difficult.

“We were not winning games, we were losing them and the fans felt the players needed some support – that’s what you get from these supporters.”

The going doesn’t get any easier for Liverpool, who will now prepare for a mouthwatering Champions League clash against Real Madrid on Tuesday evening.

Debates are there to be had over whether Dominik Szoboszlai or Florian Wirtz start, and there could be an awkward reunion in store with former icon Trent Alexander-Arnold, adding another layer to the spectacle.

Either way, there is plenty to look forward to after a turbulent Premier League run for Liverpool over the last few weeks, and it appears that they also had eyes elsewhere in the top-flight last weekend as club scouts took a detailed look at a rising star.

Liverpool chief scout blown away by Fulham winger Kevin

According to Football Insider, Liverpool chief scout Barry Hunter watched Fulham winger Kevin against Wolves over the weekend, and it is fair to say the Brazilian made an impression on his first Premier League start.

Becoming a landmark arrival at Craven Cottage for £34.6 million, he shone in a 3-0 victory for the hosts, making a mark due to his flair and versatility.

Kevin vs Wolves – how did he fare?

Successful dribbles

5

Touches in opposition box

5

Passes into final third

4

Ground duels won

7/13

Statistics from Fotmob

While he is still finding his feet in the top-flight, Kevin registered his first assist for the Cottagers against Wycombe Wanderers last week and looks to be someone who, in the long-term, could be an asset to any Premier League club.

Capable of playing on either flank, he could be a suitable rotation option in the future for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Federico Chiesa, albeit it would be difficult to land him so soon after his move to Fulham.

Mohamed Salah could leave next summer to open up space for Kevin

Ultimately, Liverpool’s scouting team are merely putting in the groundwork necessary to profile signings in windows to come, though their admiration of Kevin may be one to watch in the coming months.

Inter's 2-0 win over Lazio may not have been pretty, but it was effective. Under coach Cristian Chivu, the Nerazzurri are learning to value substance over style, a shift Paolo Di Canio describes as “aesthetics going to hell”. Lautaro Martinez ended his goal drought while Inter returned to the top of Serie A as Di Canio insists that Chivu’s gritty new philosophy might just be the secret to long-term greatness.

Di Canio weighs in as Inter win to top Serie A table

Inter cruised to a composed 2-0 victory over Lazio at San Siro, with goals from Martinez and Ange-Yoan Bonny securing a vital three points that sent them back to the top of Serie A alongside Roma. Inter dominated from start to finish, dictating the tempo and exposing Lazio’s defensive lapses with crisp transitions and positional control.

The breakthrough came just three minutes in when Martinez finally broke his five-game Serie A goal drought. The Argentine captain struck from inside the box with a scuffed but perfectly placed shot that curled into the far top corner which was not the most aesthetic finish, but one that mattered most.

Paolo Di Canio had his say on the goal, saying on : “Did Lautaro want to shoot like that? No, because he wants to anticipate his opponent and he almost doesn’t let go of his leverage: he’s good at striking quickly, but for me he wants to shoot with his neck. If someone really thought of this thing, he’s truly five put together, a genius of genius: no, come on, it’s also aesthetically ugly, but the way the ball goes in is so beautiful.”

Lautaro’s opener, though not a highlight-reel strike, embodied what Di Canio later called Inter’s “new identity”, one that values grit, efficiency, and mental fortitude over flair. With his latest goal, the Argentine striker has now scored four goals and registered two assists in 11 league matches.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportDi Canio’s verdict: Chivu’s Inter are learning to ‘win ugly’

Di Canio believes Inter are evolving under Chivu, not just tactically, but psychologically, embracing the idea that beautiful football sometimes needs to “go to hell” to achieve results.

"They know their strength, they know that's what's missing: it's a step forward and an individual awareness, first on their part, and then through a coach who transmits it. Because maybe the other coach, who was very good at many other things, didn't make them feel this way because it's not his way of managing: it's not a fault, but a different approach. And in some moments, you don't have to shout, but look at the boys and say: 'What have we done?'"

Di Canio further highlighted a psychological shift that Inter no longer rely solely on technical dominance, but on a ruthless mindset: "It's a clear and important general realisation, and today it was confirmed. Inter are strong, especially in the league. It's a revenge against them; they feel a real obligation to win because last year the Scudetto slipped away in a foolish way from their point of view. I said it here, but they think worse of themselves for how they lost it: they are important players and have built this important status with [Antonio] Conte and Inzaghi."

The former Italy international added: "Have they been fighting on all fronts for a while now? But a top team has to do this. Sometimes aesthetics have to go to hell if you want to reach your goal: there's concreteness . I like Inter too, but Chivu doesn't want to let them do it: today he approached it differently."

Di Canio points out that Chivu is stripping away the old obsession with aesthetic football and instilling in Inter a culture of discipline and tactical pragmatism. "What's missing? Those details that come from the coach, breaking the mould. I'll put Lazio with three midfielders, I'll put Carlos Augusto. That's why Chivu is taking away their beauty and grace, he wants to take it away. Just as they've acquired awareness: I've never seen a team that gives 12 points out of 12 and comes away beaten. It's a huge realisation. The others have changed a lot, Inter is the only one that has had continuity with what it takes to become great: a great Italian management that had to cut and that built piece by piece. They protected Inzaghi and were right with him because they worked together," Di Canio said.

Inter now sit on top of the Serie A table alongside Roma with 27 points. The team will now turn their focus to the much-anticipated Milan Derby on November 23, their first match since the two Milanese giants jointly acquired San Siro, marking the beginning of a new era for both clubs.

Mkhitaryan’s injury opens the door for Zielinski

Inter’s midfield depth faces a test as Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been ruled out for at least a month after sustaining a left thigh strain in the defeat to Napoli. The veteran playmaker, who has been a key figure in Chivu’s setup, will miss at least seven fixtures, including the Milan derby and two Champions League clashes.

His absence, however, opens the door for Piotr Zielinski, who has started to find his rhythm in recent games. Zielinski replaced Mkhitaryan in the Lazio clash and nearly found the scoresheet, though his goal was controversially disallowed by VAR due to a handball by Federico Dimarco in the buildup.

Zielinski’s energetic pressing, ball-carrying, and willingness to take shots from distance have added new dimensions to Inter’s midfield. With Mkhitaryan sidelined, Chivu will rely on Zielinski’s creativity to maintain balance between attack and defence as Inter navigate a congested fixture list.

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(C)Getty ImagesWhat next for Chivu’s Inter?

Chivu’s biggest challenge now lies in maintaining momentum amid mounting injuries and high expectations. Inter’s disciplined yet pragmatic approach has kept them unbeaten in their last four Serie A outings, but tougher tests await. The international break provides a much-needed breather for Chivu to reassess tactics and manage player workloads. Upon return, Inter face Milan, followed by a Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid on November 26.

The Oakland Athletics made a splash on Thursday, agreeing to a franchise-record contract with free agent starting pitcher Luis Severino according to multiple reports. ESPN's Jeff Passan was first to report the news.

Severino's deal spans three years and is worth $67 million, the largest total value contract in franchise history, according to . The deal includes an opt-out after the second season. Oakland, with the lowest payroll in MLB at $62,132,581, reportedly has designs on increasing that number into the $100 million range, as Passan noted.

The A's entered free agency in search of starting pitching after fielding a rotation with just three hurlers who exceeded the 100-inning mark. In Severino, Oakland lands a dependable starter with nine years of MLB experience.

Finishing third in the American League Cy Young Award race in 2017 as a member of the New York Yankees, Severino was once regarded as an ace. However, the Dominican Republic native was plagued by shoulder and elbow injuries, which ultimately brought about the end of his eight-year (2015 to '23) tenure in the Bronx.

Severino then inked a one-year deal with the Mets in November of '23—and authored a bounce-back season. He pitched to a 3.91 ERA while striking out 161 batters in 182 innings, helping the Mets reach the National League Championship Series.

Oakland, which will play in a minor-league ballpark in Sacramento for the next three seasons before its planned move to Las Vegas, now has a veteran righthander atop its rotation, as well as a key building block as it looks to bolster the seventh-youngest roster in MLB.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will be chewing on his pencil over the November international break as he works toward solutions that are so badly needed.

Fortunes have gone somewhat askew at St. James’ Park this season, with the club’s away form laying waste to Howe’s hopes of progress after a testing summer transfer window.

But it may be that the ramifications of that Alexander Isak-dominated summer are still being felt. However, tactically, things aren’t right, and the wider struggle of the summer market has led to the current issues which must be overcome if the Magpies hope to make it another positive campaign.

Where PIF have gone wrong in the transfer window

Newcastle have fallen by the wayside, but it’s hardly too late for them to pick themselves back up. But there’s no question that PIF have to learn from their recent transfer struggles, with those brilliant windows of Howe’s early reign something of a distant memory.

In 2024, Newcastle failed to sign a right-sided forward, a glaring gap in the squad. That has now been amended through the £55m addition of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, but Elanga has blanked across 16 matches for the club, and with concerns over his form, questions must be raised over the extensive scouting that led to his signature being obtained.

Interestingly, Nick Woltemade’s fine form at centre-forward has eased the Isak blow, and before the season, that would have been viewed as the biggest issue. Newcastle’s attacking problems stretch more toward the creative side, with Anthony Gordon joining Elanga in having failed to register a goal contribution in the Premier League this season.

For a team whose 97 big chances created were bettered only by Liverpool in 2023/24, this is a real concern. This year, United have only created 14 from 11 matches, placing them 12th for that statistic. Gordon and Elanga must be doing a lot more, with the recruitment having felt they had hit the jackpot when shaping this wide duo.

While Newcastle have added exciting talents to their ranks this summer, Malick Thiaw and Jacob Ramsey among those with plenty of scope for growth, this is frankly an ageing squad and one whose freshen-up needs to go a lot further.

Tactical issues this season have been suggestive of this, and considering the company Newcastle are keeping in regard to the average age of their starting 11, it wouldn’t be unfair to suggest that younger profiles are needed for balance and continuity.

Everton

13th

28.0

Aston Villa

6th

27.9

Newcastle

14th

27.6

Fulham

15th

27.6

Burnley

17th

27.1

The need for depth and quality on the defensive flanks is alarming. Kieran Trippier at right-back is 35 years old and out of contract at the end of the season, and Tino Livramento has been unfit at times and deployed as a makeshift left-back at others.

This is largely because of Lewis Hall’s own unavailability this season. But with the 22-year-old drawing strength and fitness once again, we are turned toward the situation of one of Howe’s mainstays.

The Newcastle star now on borrowed time

Newcastle comprise players of myriads shapes and sizes and skills. Some are renowned as being among the best in the world, but some are of a shrewder nature, like Dan Burn, who returned home from Brighton for around £12m at the start of the manager’s reign and has since become one of his mainstays.

After all, it is only the skipper, Bruno Guimaraes, who has featured more prominently for Howe’s Newcastle than him.

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Bruno Guimaraes

170

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Dan Burn

165

3

Fabian Schar

163

4

Jacob Murphy

150

5

Joelinton

145

The 32-year-old has done more than endear himself to the Toon fanbase since arriving, but he’s getting on a bit and has been guilty of some suspect performances at left-back this season.

Naturally a central defender, Burn ranks against Premier League full-backs this term among the bottom 6% for shot-creating actions, the bottom 29% for progressive passes and the bottom 4% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.

In the first five matches of the season, he was in the centre. Six appearances since have seen the England international deployed as a left-back, and this is inhibiting Newcastle’s flow and overarching connectivity.

Quite simply, Burn is not a natural left-back, even though he has played ample football in the moonlit role. He is a centre-back. 6 foot 6 and cool and composed.

Hall is far more dynamic and energetic in his role, and this will not only widen and add a dimension to Newcastle’s backline, but it could revive the likes of Gordon up ahead.

The boy from Blyth has been a revelation at Newcastle, and, pound for pound, “one of Newcastle’s best signings” since Howe arrived, as has been said by reporter Andy Sixsmith. A small fee and an immortalising contribution at Wembley last season have made sure of that.

But Howe will be putting a spoke in his own wheel if he continues to persist with Burn on the flank, limiting his side’s progression and mobility and dynamism at the back.

With this in mind, the modern legend might find himself slipping into his obscurity over the coming months, and perhaps that will lead to a departure to make way for this new chapter on Tyneside.

Newcastle must regret signing £100k-per-week flop who's cost £3.2m per game

Newcastle United must already rue signing this expensive flop, who is draining them dry.

ByKelan Sarson Nov 13, 2025

U.S. international Sebastian Berhalter delivered an impressive opening spell in the Americans’ friendly against Uruguay, scoring his first national team goal from a well-placed set piece in the 17th minute. Minutes later, he set up Alex Freeman for his first international goal, assisting on a driven header to give the U.S. an early boost.

Getty ImagesTwo MLS stars deliver big

Freeman’s goal came in his 13th cap for the U.S., with Berhalter’s assist marking his third for the national team. Freeman added another in the 31st minute to complete a strong first-half showing.

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ImagnWhat comes next?

The fixture is Mauricio Pochettino and Co.'s last of 2025. They will resume action next March. 

Orla Prendergast claims three wickets as hosts subside once again at Chelmsford

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay13-Sep-2025The Blaze 59 for 0 (S Bryce 33*) beat Essex 211 (Smale 41, Prendergast 3-43) by 35 runs (DLS) Orla Prendergast led the wickets charge as The Blaze won a rain-affected encounter with Essex at Chelmsford to book a home semi-final at Trent Bridge on Wednesday.Prendergast took 3 for 43, including a momentum shifting double strike to help bowl out the hosts for 211. Her efforts were ably supported by Lucy Higham’s 2 for 33 and some outstanding out-fielding, typified by Kathryn’s Bryce’s run-out of Ariana Dowse.Six of Essex’s batters reached double figures, but only Sophia Smale (41) got beyond 40, Jo Gardner making a run-a-ball 36. The pair added 52 for the seventh wicket after the hosts collapsed from 104 for 2 to 133 for 6.Blaze openers Sarah Bryce (33 not out) and Georgie Boyce had knocked 59 off the target in 11.2 overs when the weather closed in.Dowse and skipper Grace Scrivens gave the hosts a a solid start, the former caressing one through the covers and driving another square for four. Scrivens reached 16 before mishitting a half-tracker from opposite number Kirstie Gordon to square leg and a brilliant pick up and throw from Katherine Bryce ran out Dowse for 20.The response to the double setback was good with Lissy Macleod (30) and Lancashire loanee Liberty Heap (33) targeting the straight boundaries in a stand of 59 at almost a run a ball. Essex looked poised to push on, but Heath’s demise, top edging a short one from Prendergast to midwicket sparked a mid-innings slump.Flo Miller was another Prendergast victim and when Higham sent Macleod packing courtesy of a stunning caught and bowled, three wickets had fallen for six runs in 16 balls.Higham then bowled Amara Carr with a beauty, before Smale and Gardner rallied the home side’s flagging effort, the latter striking the ball powerfully back past the bowler in the mid-on/mid-off arc.But before they could entertain hopes of a score of 250, Prendergast splayed Gardner’s stumps and thereafter only Smale who was last out held up The Blaze for long.The bad weather was closing in by the time The Blaze began their reply, Sarah Bryce and Georgie Boyce immediately showing aggressive intent. Bryce hit Gray for the only six of the match while Boyce three times struck the ball firmly to the fence along the floor.By the time rain drove the players from the field enough overs had been completed to constitute a match and The Blaze were a mile ahead on the DLS and looking forward to a semi-final.