South African all-rounder Dane van Niekerk struck a tournament-high 91 and took 2-26 to help Lightning beat Surrey Stars by 34 runs. Meanwhile, Vipers fell to their first loss as Stafanie Taylor’s unbeaten 78 led Storm to an eight-wicket win.
Top spot in the table and automatic qualification for the final on 21 August will be decided on Sunday.
Leaders Vipers and Lightning are tied at the summit on eight points and face each other, while Storm – who lie a point behind them – take on Yorkshire Diamonds.
England bowler Katherine Brunt (3-6) took the tournament’s first hat-trick as the Diamonds blew away Lancashire Thunder in the Roses match at Old Trafford to secure their first victory of competition. Yorkshire skittled out the hosts for 71 in 15 overs, with England off-spinner Danielle Hazell also impressing with 4-10, after Alex Blackwell’s 59 had helped the Diamonds post 166-6.
In need of a win to keep their chances of reaching Finals Day alive, Surrey’s decision to bowl first on a good deck worked against them as Van Niekerk shared half-century stands with captain Georgia Elwiss (22) and Sophie Devine (16). Van Niekerk’s 64-ball innings included 13 fours and three sixes helped the hosts post a tournament-high score of 168-6 in front of a 571-strong crowd at Haslegrave.
West Indian all-rounder Taylor followed up her match-winning performance against Surrey in Storm’s previous match with another batting masterclass to ensure Heather Knight’s side would be present on Finals Day. Former England captain Charlotte Edwards shared a 73-run first-wicket partnership with Suzie Bates, with both players having been dropped, before Knight had her well caught by Anya Shrubsole.
Friday’s scorecards:
- Western Storm 140-2 (17.5 overs) beat Southern Vipers 137-3 (20 overs) by eight wickets – scorecard
- Yorkshire Diamonds 166-6 (20 overs) beat Lancashire Thunder 71 (15 overs) by 95 runs – scorecard