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Bates makes history in Vipers win

Tuesday 15th August 2017
Written by Danny Painter

Suzie Bates hit an unbeaten 119, the first century of the Kia Super League, as Southern Vipers beat Loughborough Lightning by 46 runs in front of a good crowd at The 3aaa County Ground.

Current champions Southern Vipers came into the game top of the table and would be looking to enhance their lead in the Kia Super League.

Loughborough won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that appeared costly at the start of the game as New Zealand captain Suzie Bates looked in exceptional form.

She quickly reached her half century in the sixth over, hitting nine fours and two sixes from just 30 balls.

Loughborough finally found a breakthrough in the tenth over as Hayley Matthews (12) was caught on the boundary by Australian international Elyse Villani, leaving the Vipers at 88-1.

Bates continued to go on strongly alongside Georgia Adams (12) before Adams was ran out thanks to an excellent throw from Thea Brooks with five overs remaining.

Suzie Bates made history as she hit the first ever century in the Kia Super League, doing so from just 63 balls, hitting 14 fours and three sixes along the way as she took her side to 151-2.

Bates finished unbeaten on 119 alongside Danielle Wyatt (21 not out) as reached 180-2, the highest ever score in the Kia Super League, beating the previous best of 168-6 set by their opponents Loughborough.

The Loughborough response started poorly as openers Elyse Villani (1) and Amy Jones (11) as well as Australia captain Ellyse Perry (6) were all gone within the first five overs to leave Loughborough at 25-3.

Loughborough captain Georgia Elwiss (32) began to steady things up for her side despite being way below the run rate.

But her partner Sonia Odedra fell after nine overs to make the Lightning comeback look even more difficult.

After Elwiss fell, her teammates began to do so rapidly as well, with Brooks (24) and Higham (0) both going from consecutive balls to leave Loughborough at 87-7 with 7 overs remaining.

Beth Langston (3) was quickly dismissed before Derbyshire academy player Sarah Glenn was gone after a well-made 25.

The Vipers claimed the final Lightning wicket of Rebecca Grundy (12), confirming a win by 46 runs to go five points clear at the top of the Kia Super League.

Click HERE to view scorecard.

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