The Blaze have secured the top spot and are heading straight to the final at New Road. For the Stars, Sparks and Sunrisers it’s the end of the road tomorrow in the Charlotte Edwards Cup. It gets exciting as Vipers, Diamonds, Thunder and the Storm will all be pushing for the final two spots on Saturday.
Thunder v Northern Diamonds
Blackpool CC, Blackpool
11am
Thunder still have a chance to qualify for finals day but their opposition, Northern Diamonds will also be keen to make it. Across the whole of the cup, the Diamonds have been the more dominant side – however they have suffered two recent loses. Thunder started poorly however, their have been some pockets of optimism and the team have managed to keep their hopes alive, currently sitting in 4th place.
Simply, Diamonds qualify for final day if they win. If they lose, however, they will need to prevent Thunder from gaining the bonus point and restrict their net run rate. If they lose they will also need Western Storm to not win with a bonus point. There is another scenario in which even if one of Thunder or Storm gains that bonus point, if Vipers lose and their net run rate decreases, then Diamonds’ net run rate could be ahead.
Thunder need a win. The bonus point is not essential but they would need Vipers to lose and they would still require as big win over the Diamonds to improve their net run rate. They would also require Western Storm to not win with a bonus point.
It is likely that it will be Diamonds that progress, but Thunder have shown potential and anything can happen in the War of the Roses – hopefully the leader of the white rose won’t be found in a car park in Leicester in 500 years though.
South East Stars v Central Sparks
Spitfire Ground, Canterbury
2pm
It’s a dead rubber game with both teams unable to qualify for finals day. It’s an unfortunate position for the sides given that they were both at finals day last year. However, a big win and other results going their way could enable either side to drastically improve their position in the table.
Sparks are missing key players with skipper, Eve Jones, joining up with England this week. Amy Jones is also absent which means the said are fielding a younger and less experienced team.
Western Storm v The Blaze
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
2.30pm
The Blaze have already secured that number one spot and are heading straight to the final. They will want to keep their unbeaten run going and have the momentum heading into the final. But, Western Storm are keen to push for their first finals day.
As it stands, the Storm will need a bonus point win to qualify. This will also be reliant on Vipers losing who they will need to get a higher net run rate than or will need Thunder to win. However, if Thunder win, Storm will be hoping that they do not gain the bonus point.
Simply, it’s very difficult for Storm to qualify, but mathematically it’s still possible – stranger things have happened!
Southern Vipers v Sunrisers
County Ground, Hove
7pm
With Sunrisers out, Southern Vipers will be hoping for an easy win over a winless team. The Sunrisers of course would hope for their first win but with the Vipers keen to get to Worcester on Saturday, they will be fired up for the occasion.
All Vipers need to qualify is a win. However, if somehow they lose to the Sunrisers, they will still be able to qualify if Diamonds win or if Thunder win without the extra bonus point. If Thunder do not gain the bonus point but still win, Thunder will have to hope that their net run rate does not improve too much. The Vipers will also be relying on Storm not winning with the bonus point.
The Vipers are also fortunate that they are playing last at 7pm so the team will know exactly what they need to get to finals day. The other teams may be left in suspense all day as to whether their place at New Road is confirmed.
Credit to @rhftrophy on Twitter for providing the scenario based results – all a bit complicated but means that places are all to play for.
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