CRICKET: Sophie Luff hits century as Western Storm beat South East Stars

Storm now have three wins from four matches in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy 50-over competition, and this latest victory was inspired by their very own captain marvel.

Luff had scored 85 in the previous match, away to Sunrisers, and she topped that with 104* (from 132 balls, with 11 fours and a six) against Stars, sharing in a match-winning stand of 162 with Georgia Hennessy for the third wicket.

Chasing a target of 213, Hennessy excelled with bat and ball, with the 23-year-old taking 3-40 before contributing 86 alongside Luff, as they cruised to victory with 23 balls to spare.

Kirstie White and Maxine Blythin both registered patient half-centuries for Stars, on what was a difficult pitch, but the total of 212-9 never really looked like being enough once Hennessy and Luff began to move through the gears.

Even without their England internationals, Storm are the only side still in with a realistic chance of overhauling South Group leaders Southern Vipers and making the final at Edgbaston later this month.

Luff, who now has three scores of 50 or more in four innings since moving up the batting order this season, said afterwards: "That's my first hundred playing for Western Storm and to do it at this level feels pretty special.

"I knew it was on when I hit a four and a six and went to 88.

"We're big on the team ethic here and I knew Georgia [Hennessy] would leave enough runs for me to get there.

"Georgia has good skills with bat and ball, and her all-round performance was exceptional.

"She came into the game under pressure to make a score batting at number four and she responded brilliantly.

"We travel to Southampton for a really big game against Southern Vipers on Sunday and we know we will probably have to win it if we want to get to the final.

"Although our performance in the field was okay, there were too many extras and some sloppy mistakes.

"We'll have to cut those out if we want to win on Sunday."