Issy Wong struck out all three of Central Sparks’ top batsmen for ducks in the first two balls as Western Storm recorded a thumping 182-run win in the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
Wong, who has made 14 appearances for England across all formats, has not played for his country since September last year due to problems with his run-up.
In Wong’s last international match, a T20I against Sri Lanka, he hit three no-balls, two wides and four boundaries in two overs.
Wong burst into the limelight in the summer of 2022, making her England debut across all three formats and also bagged a hat-trick for Mumbai Indians in the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League in 2023.
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Check out Wong’s incredible hat-trick for Mumbai Indians against UP Warriors in the 2023 Women’s Premier League
Given her struggles since then, the 22-year-old fast bowler was a reminder of her prowess, yoking Eve Jones off her first ball, then quickly catching Abigail Freeborn behind to complete a hat-trick, before ducking Chloe Brewer out LBW in the second over.
Wong (3-20), who is on loan to the Storm from the Sparks, could have had a hat-trick had her first pass to Davina Perrin at third slip been placed, but her thick edge flew into vacant territory.
Perrin ended up being Sparks’ top scorer with 42, one of only three batsmen to reach double figures. The team aimed for 285 to win but off-spinner Chloe Skelton (3-8) also claimed three wickets and Alex Griffiths (2-23) helped them to just 102 in 25 overs.
“A total of 280 was a fantastic score, it allowed our bowlers to attack the opposition batsmen with aggression and Issy did a great job of that,” Storms manager Trevor Griffin said after the win.
“Issy pitched great for us. She pitched well, tried hard and came out with a smile on her face. I thought she pitched at a really fast pace today.”
Earlier, Australia’s Amanda Jade Wellington smashed 83 off 53 balls while Storms captain Sophie Ruff scored 60 while batting first to help the team reach 284 runs.
Regardless of the result, both teams occupy the bottom two spots in the RHF Trophy, with the Storm just behind bottom-placed Sparks on their third win from 10 games.
Catch live coverage of the fourth T20 International match between England and New Zealand at The Oval on Saturday from 6.15pm (first ball at 6.30pm) on Sky Sports Cricket. Stream the series with no contract on NOW.
