10 Jul, 2025 | 02:42 PM
Alice Davidson-Richards produced a match-winning all-round performance to help Surrey maintain their grip at the top of the Women’s Vitality Blast table with a tense four-wicket win over Warwickshire.
Davidson-Richards first took 3 for 11 with the ball to help restrict Warwickshire to a below-par 139, before returning to guide her team home with a composed unbeaten 28 off 18 balls. Her unbroken 42-run partnership in just 24 deliveries with Kalea Moore (22* off 14) ensured Surrey chased down the target with two balls to spare, registering their eighth win in ten games.
Warwickshire, missing key all-rounder Charis Pavely due to a stress fracture, chose to bat but were rocked early, losing both openers within the first eight balls. Meg Austin and Davina Perrin fell to Alexa Stonehouse and Danielle Gregory respectively, setting the tone for a rocky start.
A brief recovery came via Sterre Kalis, who top-scored with 38 off 30 balls, and Natasha Wraith, but both fell in the same over to Davidson-Richards. Kalis clipped her first delivery to short fine leg, while Wraith skied her fourth to point.
Late resistance from Millie Taylor (26* off 27) and Hannah Baker added some respectability, but Davidson-Richards returned to claim her third wicket, dismissing Baker as Warwickshire were bowled out for 139 in the final over.
Stonehouse (2 for 23) and Ryana MacDonald-Gay (1 for 28) also played key roles in keeping the hosts in check.
Surrey’s reply began shakily when Alice Monaghan fell in the opening over, and Grace Harris soon followed. However, Bryony Smith (26 off 26) and Emma Jones steadied the innings with a fluent 47-run stand.
Jones impressed with a 39-ball 46, but wickets fell in quick succession as Smith was trapped lbw, Chathli holed out, and Franklin miscued a sweep to short fine leg. From 92 for 2, Surrey slipped to 121 for 6, needing 19 off the final two overs.
Davidson-Richards and Moore held their nerve, with Moore delivering a crucial slog-swept six off Anisha Davis. With seven needed from the final over, the pair calmly finished the job, showcasing both composure and intent.
The win sees Surrey further solidify their place at the top of the Vitality Blast standings, while Warwickshire are left to rue a missed opportunity in front of their home crowd. The performance also underlined Davidson-Richards’ growing reputation as a dependable all-rounder in pressure moments.
Match Summary
Warwickshire – 139 all out (Kalis 38, Davidson-Richards 3-11, Stonehouse 2-23)
Surrey – 140 for 6 (Jones 46, Davidson-Richards 28*, Moore 22*)
Result: Surrey won by 4 wickets
Player of the Match: Alice Davidson-Richards
