Super League 2016: Sophie Devine steers Loughborough Lightning to 43-run win over Yorkshire Diamonds

Devine top-scored with 52 in Loughborough's 128 for nine in the Twenty20 match before taking two for 27 opening the bowling.

London: New Zealand vice-captain Sophie Devine‘s all-round effort helped Loughborough Lightning beat Yorkshire Diamonds by 43 runs in the opening match of English cricket’s new women’s Super League on Saturday. Devine top-scored with 52 in Loughborough’s 128 for nine in the Twenty20 match before taking two for 27 opening the bowling, as Yorkshire were dismissed for just 85 in front of a crowd of nearly 1,000 at Headingley. “I was really nervous after a winter in New Zealand and a bit scratchy at the start but it was nice to be able to get some runs on the board,” said Devine. Bates delighted for women ahead of Super League 2016

“It was a great team win and our bowling performance was very good. Our fielders did well on the big outfield and we took a couple of great catches.” England international Lauren Winfield, Yorkshire’s captain, made 23 off just 13 balls opening the innings when she was controversially run out. Turning for a second run, it appeared she may have been obstructed by the bowler, Australia star Ellyse Perry, before being unable to maker her ground in time.

Winfield spoke to the umpires but with no television coverage and, as a result, no third umpire, her dismissal stood, and from then on Yorkshire collapsed. “I felt I may have been obstructed by the bowler when going for a second run and I had a word with the umpires but it was just one of those things,” said Winfield. “Perhaps if there had been the chance to see it again I may not have been given out but it was a situation which couldn’t be changed.”