Wonderful Winfield-Hill shines for Diamonds

Lauren Winfield-Hill produced a stunning 96 from just 51 balls to inspire Northern Diamonds to victory over Lightning in their opening match of the Charlotte Edwards Cup.

The 20-over-competition - named after England women's most-capped player - sees eight women's regional teams battling it out in two groups of four, and it was Winfield-Hill who claimed the plaudits to steer her side to a 39-run win.

The England opener smashed 12 fours and four sixes in a blistering 51-ball knock, only to succumb four runs short of a magnificent century.

Diamonds appeared poised to post a mammoth total after racing to 145-1 inside 15 overs, but Kirstie Gordon (1-26) helped stem the tide, with Kathryn Bryce (2-44) also featuring late on as the visitors posted 177-5 - aided by an unbeaten 40 from Hollie Armitage.

Marie Kelly (46 off 37) continued her fine form to give the Lightning innings early impetus, while England's Tammy Beaumont (59 off 49) plundered eight fours to bring up her half-century.

Nevertheless, Beaumont's dismissal in the 17th over sparked a late Lightning capitulation as the hosts lost five wickets for ten runs, with Emma Marlow (2-12), Linsey Smith (2-18) and Beth Langston (2-22) snaring two wickets apiece.

In the other Group B clash, Southern Vipers underlined their credentials with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Thunder at Hove.

Despite winning the toss, Thunder were restricted to 102-7 by Vipers' star-studded attack, featuring debutant Anya Shrubsole, who announced her international retirement following England's World Cup final defeat to Australia.

Shrubsole (1-18 off 3) claimed bragging rights by clean-bowling England team-mate Kate Cross, but it was another debutant who stole the spotlight, with 17-year-old