Lauren Winfield-Hill leads run-spree as Diamonds shine through Storm

Northern Diamonds began their defence of the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy with an emphatic 105-run victory against Western Storm at Headingley.

Half-centuries from Lauren Winfield-Hill (75), Bess Heath (71) and South African debutant Chloe Tryon (63) took Diamonds to a commanding total of 290 for eight off a rain-reduced 37 overs before leg spinner Katie Levick claimed 4 for 36, including her 300th career wicket, as Storm fell well short of the target.

After rain fell throughout the morning, the players finally took to the field at 1pm and Storm's hopes were immediately raised when Lauren Filer bowled Sterre Kalis for one in the second over. When Filer followed up with the wicket of Diamonds skipper Hollie Armitage, also bowled for one, the hosts were 33 for 2 and looking in trouble on a damp, green pitch.

Winfield-Hill was at her pugnacious best however and quickly counter attacked to take the score to 71 when a mix up with Phoebe Turner led to the latter's ran out for three.

If the visitors thought they were back in the game what followed was a brutal statement of intent from England hopeful Heath who proceeded to smash Storm's bowlers around Headingley as she bludgeoned 71 from 38 balls including nine fours and three sixes in a fourth wicket partnership of 109 off just 67 balls with Winfield-Hill.

When Heath was caught behind by off Chloe Skelton the score was 180 for 4 and the stage was set for another superb knock as Winfield-Hill was joined by Tryon. The former's departure for 75, bowled by Alex Griffiths, left the South African with some work to do, but she marshalled the tail superbly to be last out for 63 off 36 balls in a Diamonds total of 290 for 8.

Storm got off to a terrible start losing both openers inside the first two overs as Griffiths (0) and Emma Corney (2) were bowled by Jessica Woolston and Lizzie Scott respectively.

Sophie Luff and Fran Wilson staged a good recovery as they took the visitors to 97 before both were dismissed in successive overs with Storm never looking likely to make it a contest after that.

Levick, who earlier had Luff stumped for 33, took another when she trapped Gibson in front for 17 to claim her 299th career wicket before Niamh Holland was run out for six.

Levick's 300th came soon after with the stumping of Wraith and she was quickly celebrating her 301st when Sophia Smale was lbw for 0.

Scott returned to bowl Filer before Tyron took a stunning catch off Abi Glen off Skelton to wrap the Western Storm innings up for 185.