Issy Wong shines as Sparks beat defending-champion Stars

England hopeful Issy Wong starred with bat and ball as Central Sparks beat holders South East Stars by 34 runs in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.

Wong, more renowned for her quick bowling, excelled in the role of pinch-hitter as she smashed 45 off 28 balls opening the batting.

SCORECARD

Well-supported by England wicketkeeper Amy Jones (40 off 28), Sparks racked up an imposing score of 170-6 from their 20 overs after being put into bat.

Wong then claimed an economical 1-14 from her four overs, before handing over to Sparks spin twins Hannah Baker (2-19) and Sarah Glenn (2-22), with Grace Potts (4-36) mopping up the tail in fine fashion as Stars finished well short on 136 all out.

Elsewhere, Lauren Bell underlined her own England credentials with a spell-binding 3-12 as Southern Vipers swatted Lightning aside by 31 runs.

SCORECARD

Towering right-arm swing bowler Bell is considered among the favourites to replace the internationally-retired Anya Shrubsole and make her debut for Lisa Keightley's team this summer. Here she put on a new-ball clinic to claim 2-2 from her first two overs, on her way to returning career-best T20 bowling figures.

Maia Bouchier, meanwhile, continued her fine start to the season with 41 from 34 balls as Vipers posted a score of 155-5, before Lightning sputtered to 124-8 in reply thanks to Bell's heroics with the ball.

Vipers now have two comprehensive victories from two in this year's tournament, while Lightning are still to secure a point across two seasons.

Finally, teenager Grace Scrivens' heroics with bat and ball proved fruitless as a last-gasp overthrow handed Western Storm a dramatic victory over Sunrisers.

SCORECARD

The 18-year-old struck her maiden Sunrisers half-century with 56 from 42 balls,