On her debut for Western Storm, Orla Prendergast delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a magnificent century and leading her team to a commanding six-wicket victory over Thunder in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2023 at Sophia Gardens on Saturday.
Storm win by 6 wickets with 8 overs to spare 🎉 Our next match is Monday 1st May @ Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol from 10.30am. Tickets on sale at our website! ⛈️⛈️ #stormtroopers #rhftrophy pic.twitter.com/GKKxgCoITY
— Western Storm (@_WesternStorm) April 29, 2023
Prendergast, who had joined the team just 48 hours earlier, made a remarkable first impression by posting a career-best score. She formed a game-changing 186-run partnership for the third-wicket with Fran Wilson, who remained unbeaten on 74 from 100 balls.
Prendergast ended up scoring 115 runs with the help of 11 fours and a six as the Storm chased down the target of 215 with 51 balls to spare and six wickets in hand. Mahika Gaur was the pick of the bowlers for Thunder, taking three wickets for 39 runs in her quota of 10 overs, including a couple of maidens.
Western Storm complete victory by 6 wickets in the 42nd over.
17-year-old Mahika Gaur takes 3/39 from 10 overs on her Thunder debut. 👏
— Thunder Cricket 💥 (@Thundercric) April 29, 2023
Earlier, the Eleanor Threlkeld-led Thunder could only manage to reach 214 in 44.4 overs. Opener Emma Lamb smashed a tremendous 74 off 85, including 8 boundaries. However, no other batter except Deandra Dottin (41 off 40) came even close to Lamb’s score.
