Jemimah Rodrigues hits WCSL's fastest ton
She brought up three figures in 51 balls, the fastest-ever century in the competition, breaking Lizelle Lee’s 55-ball record set in the final of the 2018 edition, and it helped steer Yorkshire Diamonds to a last-ball win over the Vipers at the York Cricket Club.
The four-wicket win wasn’t enough to help the Diamonds qualify, after they failed to chase down the target within 16 overs. The Vipers, meanwhile, were already through to Finals Day.
Rodrigues walked in at 0/1 after Laura Winfield was dismissed off the second ball of the 185-run chase. In 88 minutes, she powered the Diamonds towards the target, putting on a 90-run partnership with Hollie Armitage, who was the second-highest scorer with a 27-ball 23.
She notched up her half-century off 26 deliveries, striking 17 fours and one six in total. In August last year, Mandhana had hit a century for Western Storm, scoring 102 off 61 balls.
CLOSE: @JemiRodrigues leads @YorksDiamonds to a four-wicket victory with a sublime 1⃣1⃣2⃣* from just 5⃣8⃣ balls.
— Southern Vipers (@VipersKSL) August 25, 2019
A thrilling game taken right to the wire, but we fall short on the last ball
We go again on Weds at @TheAgeasBowl against @LightningKSL 💪#BewareTheVipers 🐍
The Diamonds suffered a stutter in the middle, losing three wickets within the space of three runs in the 12th and 13th over, before No.7 Leigh Kasperek chipped in with a 13-ball 12, partnering Rodrigues as the target grew closer. The 18-year-old tied the score off the second-last ball of the innings, and Linsey Smith wrapped up the chase with a single off the final ball.
Earlier, Danielle Wyatt gave the Vipers a blazing start, smashing 42 of their first 49 runs inside the first five overs to help set the 185-run target.
The Vipers will now face Loughborough Lightning in their final league game on 28 August at The Rose Bowl. The Diamonds will play their last game on the same day, against Western Storm in Taunton.
