Northern Diamonds 111 for 6 (Burns 35, Coppack 3-35) defeated Sunrisers 109 (Langston 6-24) by four wickets
Beth Langston, a six-time England fast bowler, made a remarkable comeback from injury with an impressive six for 24, leading Northern Diamonds to a thrilling four-wicket victory over Sunrisers in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at York.
Before this match, Langston had only played once for the Diamonds since July 2022 and had not taken a 50-over wicket since September of the previous year due to a ruptured ACL and subsequent complications.
Returning to Clifton Park, Langston dismantled the Sunrisers, who were bowled out for 109 in just 31 overs. Although Diamonds stumbled to 32 for four in their chase, Australian Erin Burns secured the win with an unbeaten 35.
This victory moved Diamonds into second place on the table, virtually ensuring a semi-final spot with five games left to play. Despite their third loss in nine matches, Sunrisers remain in the top four.
Langston, who was part of England's World Cup-winning squad in 2017 without playing, ruptured her right ACL during the 2022 Hundred and struggled with fitness since. She played only one T20 match last season, but her return in this game was seamless, with wickets spread across two spells.
Captain Hollie Armitage opted to bowl on a wicket-laden, overcast day, and Langston capitalised on the conditions, securing her team’s fifth consecutive 50-over win.
After Lizzie Scott bowled visiting captain Grace Scrivens in the second over, Langston entered the attack in the fifth. She quickly found her rhythm, dismissing opener Jo Gardner and Jodi Grewcock in consecutive overs, leaving Sunrisers at 43 for three.
Mady Villiers was run out after a mix-up with Lissy MacLeod, who was then caught behind off Phoebe Turner's seam. Langston’s late away swing dismissed Flo Miller, and Amara Carr was bowled without offering a shot, reducing Sunrisers to 54 for seven by the end of Langston's first spell.
Returning in the 23rd over, Langston dismissed Eva Gray and Amu Surenkumar, leaving Sunrisers at 90 for nine. The visitors barely crossed the 100-run mark, with only Gardner surpassing 20. Alongside Langston, seamers Scott and Turner, and off-spinning all-rounder Burns each claimed a wicket.
Despite the Sunrisers’ determined bowling, particularly from seamer Kate Coppack who took three wickets, Northern Diamonds achieved their target. Coppack removed openers Lauren Winfield-Hill and Emma Marlow, and also dismissed Rebecca Duckworth, reducing Diamonds to 32 for four within nine overs.
Armitage and Burns stabilised the innings with a 43-run partnership before Armitage was dismissed for 33. Langston fell for eight, but Burns’ experience proved decisive as she guided Diamonds to victory with 25.2 overs to spare.