Surrey Women v Lancashire Women

Chathli, who sat out Tuesday’s win over Essex, struck an unbeaten 88 from 101 balls, while Australian all-rounder Maitlan Brown signed off her stint at Surrey with 62 from 74 as the pair added 134 from 154 for the fifth wicket. 

Earlier, Brown’s efforts of three for 46 with the ball – in tandem with leg-spinner Dani Gregory’s three for 42 – helped restrict the visitors to 246 for nine, built around Eve Jones’ third half-century of the tournament. 

The Lancashire opener top-scored with 69, sharing a partnership of 70 from 86 with Grace Johnson, but it was not enough to stave off the holders’ third consecutive defeat.

Head coach Chris Read said: “It’s really not been the start we would have liked in 50-over cricket, but I think we’re still a decent 50-over team and with half the competition to go, there’s still very much an opportunity to reach the knockout stages. 

“I thought Eve Jones batted nicely at the top of the order and put on a good partnership with Grace Johnson. We needed that to keep going a little bit longer to get to a total that would have been a winning one – we were a bit below par in the end. 

“It’s been a long road back for Eve – she injured her shoulder and had a big op after the Hundred last year, so it was a tough winter for her. 

“She’s still building up fitness in that shoulder so I don’t think we’ve seen the best of her by any means but the fact she’s scoring the runs that she s just shows her class – she’s been outstanding. 

“Grace is a good young cricketer and she had a stress fracture in the back around this time last year, so we’re just thrilled to see her back on the park, able to bat and bowl. Hopefully we’ll see her grow throughout the season.”