Danni Wyatt & Nancy Harman secure yet another thriller

Sussex pulled off yet another thrilling victory in the Royal London Women’s One-Day Championship on Sunday, beating Lancashire by three runs at Heywood CC.

Morning rain reduced the game to 35 overs per side and meant Sussex had the toughest of the batting conditions when they lost the toss and were inserted by the home side.

After the loss of two wickets in the opening over, Danni Wyatt led a recovery that saw her side make a competitive 135 for 7 with a run rate that just fell short of securing maximum bonus points.

Wyatt top-scored with a mature 47 from 71 balls. Freya Davies once again displayed her all-round credentials with 32 from number six, while her England teammate Linsey Smith chipped in with a brisk 17 from number seven.

In reply, Lancashire were on course at 115 for 4 thanks to another solid innings from their leading run-scorer Georgie Boyce.

A match-turning spell from leg-spinner Nancy Harman saw four wickets fall for 16 runs and Lancashire’s final pair were unable to see their side over the line.

Harman finished with 4 for 16 from her four overs, taking her to 12 wickets in the campaign so far. There was one wicket each for Davies, Tara Norris, Linsey Smith and Chiara Green as well as a run out for Wyatt.

Full scorecard  

With two games to play, Sussex are now in fifth place in division one, just three points off Nottinghamshire in second. Kent are in pole position for the Championship title with 85 points.

Sussex are in action again today, taking on Yorkshire at Harrogate CC. England’s Sarah Taylor is expected to make her first appearance of the season for Sussex.