Laura Harris equalises self-made world record to score fastest Women’s T20 half-century and see Surrey secure a must-win game against the Bears.
Laura Harris equaled the fastest 50 in Women’s T20 history as Surrey comfortably chased down a target of 181 to all-but seal the reigning champions place at next Sunday’s final’s day.
Harris matched her own record and that of Marie Kelly in 2022 in racing to the mark in 15 balls. The Australian big-hitter eventually made 81 (32 ball 9 4s, 6 6s), sharing a stand of 78 in just 29 balls with skipper Bryony Smith (54), who passed 50 for the second successive match.
Earlier, Abbey Freeborn hit a half-century in 43 balls, while Charis Pavely (45 from 18) and Nat Wraith (42 from 30) provided the fireworks in what looked a daunting total of 180-5, but it proved nowhere near enough.
Katie George’s two glorious drives for four and a huge six off Alice Monaghan gave already eliminated Warwickshire early momentum. Monaghan’s response was to rip out George’s leg stump with a brute of Yorker but it was the host’s last success for some while.
Nat Wraith should have departed for one, but a weak throw and poor backing up granted a reprieve the wicketkeeper/batter celebrated with a pull for six behind square and a ramp for four. A majestic straight six propelled her into the 40s before she holed out in the deep.
Freeborn was the glue of the innings, but good use of the sweep and pull still took her to 50 at more than a run a ball before she retired out late on.
However, it was Pavely, badly dropped on 18 by Monaghan who took the score to 180 helped by successive sixes off full tosses from Bethan Miles.
Smith set about the chase with relish, pulling a short one from Emily Arlott over the ropes behind square and dispatching a long hop from Pavely for six more.
Poor running from Kira Chathli saw her run out by Wraith’s direct hit, but Smith was dropped by Arlott on 43 and new batter Harris hooked a no-ball for height from Mary Taylor for 6 as 77 came from the powerplay.
Arlott gave Smith a second reprieve in the next over bowled by Millie Taylor before a seventh four took her to 50 in 23 balls. She survived a close stumping shout to the next ball after a protracted third umpire review.
By now Harris was seeing the ball big clearing the ropes with ease, two in one over from Davis taking her to her record-equaling half-century. By the time Smith holed out for 54, the hosts needed only 56 to win.
Harris cleared the ropes twice more and though she departed before the end to a huge ovation, Surrey skated home with five overs to spare.
