Danni Wyatt-Hodge returned to her old stomping ground to score 65 and help Surrey beat Hampshire Hawks by five wickets Danni Wyatt-Hodge made a triumphant return to the Utilita Bowl as she inspired Surrey to a last-ball victory at Hampshire Hawks to strengthen their grip on the Women's T20 Blast table. The former Southern Vipers star rattled 65 from 40 deliveries to build the platform for Paige Scholfield and Alice Davidson-Richards to seal Surrey's sixth win in seven matches by taking 11 off the final over from Hawks skipper Georgia Adams. After losing the toss, Surrey restricted the hosts to 155-4, with Australian all-rounder Charli Knott, opening in place of the injured Ella McCaughan, scoring a T20-best 74 not out. The victory gave the visitors a five-point lead over The Blaze in the standings, having played a game more, while the Hawks stay fourth, seven points adrift of Bears in third in the race for a semi-final place. Knott and Maia Bouchier struggled to get the ball away amid some smothering Surrey pressure, scoring just 32 in the six-over powerplay. They were 57-0 at the start of the 10th over when Bouchier sliced to Bryony Smith off Alice Capsey to depart for 33 from 25 balls. Phoebe Franklin ran round from long-on to oust Freya Kemp with a fine low catch inside the rope, and took another off Dani Gregory (2-22 off four overs) falling to her left at mid-off to account for skipper Georgia Adams and leave her side 95-3 in the 15th over. Knott brought up the third slowest half-century of the 31 made in the competition this season from 44 balls, including five boundaries, but picked up the pace to move into the 60s before Davidson-Richards took a fine diving catch just above the turf to dismiss Rhianna Southby for 10 and leave the Hawks 122-4 with 18 balls remaining. Abi Norgrove played positively when she joined Knott, striking four boundaries in a 10-ball 24 not out, while Knott finished unbeaten on 74 from 61 balls with eight fours. England's Linsey Smith picked up a wicket with her first delivery as Surrey skipper Bryony Smith chipped tamely to opposite number Adams to leave Surrey 3-1 from seven deliveries. Wyatt-Hodge clubbed Linsey Smith over long-off for the only six of the match, but Alice Capsey chipped Lauren Bell straight to Knott at mid-wicket, and Norgrove took a stunning catch diving high to her left at point to send Kira Chathli packing for six and leave Surrey 35-3 in the sixth over. Wyatt-Hodge brought up her 63rd T20 half-century - and eighth on this ground - from 30 balls, but Hawks put themselves in pole position as Grace Harris holed out to Knott at mid-on for 17 and Mary Taylor picked up her second wicket of the over as Wyatt-Hodge skewed a slower ball to Linsey Smith to depart for 65 from 40 balls. Surrey needed 50 from the final 38 balls and 20 from the last 14, and were helped in the penultimate over when Scholfield smashed Linsey Smith down the ground for another boundary, before driving straight back to the bowler who spurned a simple catch. Surrey needed 11 from the final over bowled by Adams and eight from the final four balls but Davidson-Richard (23) slashed through the covers to the rope. Two were needed from the final ball which Adams delivered outside off stump for Scholfield (30) to carve away to the deep-point boundary to win it.
Surrey hold nerve to pip Hawks in Women's T20 Blast
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Surrey Secures Narrow Victory Over Hampshire Hawks in Women's T20 Blast"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Danni Wyatt-Hodge made an impressive return to the Utilita Bowl, scoring 65 runs off 40 balls, which played a crucial role in Surrey's five-wicket victory over Hampshire Hawks in the Women's T20 Blast. This win not only marked Surrey's sixth victory in seven matches but also strengthened their lead in the league standings. After Surrey lost the toss and were put to bowl first, they managed to restrict the Hawks to a score of 155-4. Charli Knott, who stepped in as an opener due to Ella McCaughan's injury, shone with the bat, scoring a T20 career-best of 74 not out. The match saw Surrey apply consistent pressure, making it difficult for the Hawks to score freely during the powerplay, with only 32 runs being scored in the first six overs. Despite a strong start, Hampshire's innings faltered as they lost wickets at crucial moments, with Surrey's bowlers, particularly Dani Gregory, contributing to keeping the run rate in check.
In response, Surrey's innings faced early challenges, losing their first three wickets for just 35 runs. However, Wyatt-Hodge's solid performance steadied the innings, as she reached her half-century in just 30 balls. As the game progressed, the pressure intensified with Surrey needing 50 runs from the last 38 balls. The match came down to a thrilling finish, with Surrey requiring 11 runs from the final over bowled by Georgia Adams. Paige Scholfield played a pivotal role alongside Wyatt-Hodge, ultimately sealing the win with a boundary on the last ball, finishing with 30 not out. This victory gives Surrey a five-point advantage over their closest competitors, The Blaze, while the Hawks remain in fourth place, struggling to secure a semi-final spot in the tournament.
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