Report: Yorkshire Diamonds v Southern Vipers, Kia Super League

Two wickets for Amanda-Jade Wellington wasn't enough as Southern Vipers suffered a 36-run defeat to Loughborough Lightning their Kia Super League semi-final dress rehearsal.

England star Amy Jones collected her second consecutive half-century, her innings, laden with a mixture of masterful drives, delicate flicks and pure power laid the platform for victory at the The Ageas Bowl.

Spinners Sarah Glenn, Kirstie Gordon and Chamari Atapattu then kept Vipers on a leash, with a combined analysis of six for 52 to complete the win. 

The two sides will go again at Finals Day, which takes place on Sunday at Hove – with the winner of their re-match set to face Western Storm in the KSL final.

Openers Jones and Atapattu put on 75 for the first wicket – Loughborough’s highest opening partnership of the summer.

But Atapattu was bowled by Suzie Bates, attempting to guide the ball down to third man, before Georgia Adams followed soon after when she skied a bouncer to Beaumont at midwicket to hand teenage fast bowler Wong her maiden KSL wicket.

Jones, who reached her fifty in 43 balls, had was joined by a free-scoring Georgia Elwiss, a powerful six over cow joined by three boundaries took her to 28 off 21 balls.

She was well caught by Paige Scholfield while attempting a reverse sweep off Amanda-Jade Wellington before former Viper Mignon du Preez was lbw next ball.

But Jones, along with Jenny Gunn, added an unbroken 38 runs to take Loughborough to a commanding 163 for four – as he ended with seven boundaries and three sixes in her 53-ball 74.

Wyatt had scored 267 in her last four KSL outings to lead the run rankings but hammered her first delivery straight at Gordon at point, after drizzle had slightly prolonged the innings break.

Suzie Bates was dropped on 10 at mid-off, but her luck ran out as Jones produced quick hands to stump her off Gunn.

Vipers slipped to 42 for three at the end of the powerplay, as Beaumont also fell when she dragged a pull to midwicket.

Lucy Higham spilt a difficult chance over her shoulder when Maia Bouchier was on five but redeemed herself was a brilliant pick-up and throw to run out the Hampshire batsman.

Wellington was moved up the order but after three boundaries she was castled by Gordon before Thea Brookes followed in an action replay – the left-armer picking up figures of two for 18.

Scholfield was caught, Farrant was lbw and Morris and Wong were bowled and as Lightning cruised to victory with an over to spare.