Lizelle Lee, Marizanne Kapp keep Surrey Stars in the hunt

Lee, the opener, made short work of the target of 101 after rain shortened the game against Loughborough Lightning to 13 overs a side on Thursday, 9 August.

Helping keep the Lightning total in check was Kapp’s incredible figures of 3-0-4-1, which included the first wicket of Australia’s Rachael Haynes.

It was another example of the pacer’s remarkable control in the T20 game. She has an economy rate of 4.55 from six matches, the best among players in the tournament who’ve bowled at least five overs. Only one other main bowler, Kirstie Gordon, has an economy rate less than 6 an over.

“The team did brilliantly off the bowling and fielding,” said Lee after the match. “They brought it back for us nicely.”

Lee struck two sixes and seven fours on her way to 48 off 28 balls, and had guided the team to 89 before she fell.

Helping her on was her opening partner Bryony Smith, who pitched in with 31 off 26 in a first-wicket stand of 62.

Carrying the confidence from the previous game helped them, said Lee. “Bryony did exceptionally well. She went for a few fours early so it took a lot of stress off me. It’s good if there’s someone at the other side who goes well … [I could] take the singles and get her on strike. We complement each other well.”

The Stars are third on the points table, behind Western Storm and Lightning, and are well placed to challenge for the final spot on Finals Day.