A battle of the South, a return to Wales, a huge opportunity and a mammoth task: there is plenty of Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy action to look forward to tomorrow.
Central Sparks v Northern Diamonds
New Road, Worcester
10:30am
Central Sparks will have to place last week’s defeat aside as they take on title holders, Northern Diamonds at home at New Road, Worcester. Sparks’ variety within their bowling attack is what sets their team above others, however a poor day last week with the bat – albeit on a very worn wicket – highlighted their weaknesses.
Reigning champions, Diamonds, however, come off an 105 runs victory over the Western Storm. Diamonds will be hopeful of a full game of cricket after their first fixture was reduced to 36-overs per side due to rain delays.
Diamonds’ victory was not the all-round performance we would expect with six players failing to get out of single figures, however, there bowlers stepped up with Katie Levick taking 4/36.
Sparks will again look to excel with the ball, given in last week’s clash against The Blaze, they bowled the Nottingham side out for 212 – a chaseable total.
Diamonds will certainly be favourites, particularly regarding scoring runs, but, in previous meetings, Diamonds have only won one more time than the Sparks so it really is all to play for.
South East Stars v Southern Vipers
The Country Ground, Beckenham
10:30am
Usually, this would be one of the closest battles in the tournament however, with the Southern Vipers losing by 126 runs to the Sunrisers, who won their first ever game, the South East Stars have the momentum going into the game.
A Mady Villiers and Abtaha Maqsood masterclass in spin bowling left the Vipers all out for 162 – a total they would not have been satisfied with. Bowling wise, there were few positives for the Vipers, bar a few wickets for Linsey Smith and some economic bowling from skipper, Georgia Adams.
South East Stars however, come into the game after an 131 run victory at Old Trafford over Thunder. Debutant, Paige Scholfield, announced herself, scoring 111* - the Stars setting a total of 334. Their performance was also backed up with the ball and Thunder could not bat past 203.
Vipers will be desperate to get off the mark and take the win. Favourably for the Vipers, they have an 100% win rate against the Stars so far.
Sunrisers v The Blaze
The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
10:30am
Sunrisers could not be in a better position! They will play back in home territory after securing an emphatic win over the Vipers. With celebrations over, their focus turns to their next opponent, The Blaze.
The Blaze have won both meetings but with fresh starts for both sides, it’s anyone’s game. Both teams displayed excellence with the ball, Lucy Higham (Blaze) and Abtaha Maqsood (Sunrisers) both picking up five wicket hauls last weekend.
Sunrisers showed more promise batting wise – three players scoring half centuries – while Blaze underperformed with the bat last week.
Based on last week’s performances, backing Sunrisers seems the safer option! Blaze of course will want to go 2 from 2 but on home soil, Sunrisers may just have the belief.
Western Storm v Thunder
Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
10:30am
Croeso adref! Western Storm are back at Sophia Gardens to take on the Thunder. Both teams suffered thrashings last week and have plenty to learn from. Storms’ bowling was punished against the Diamonds but they did manage to send the Northern side 8 wickets down.
It was a similar story for the Thunder who also struggled with the bat. It does mean that the teams are quite well poised to play each other. Storm have the better record against Thunder in previous years but with a star studded line up, including Deandra Dottin, they may have the edge.
Western Storm have announced the signing of 20-year-old Irish all-rounder, Orla Prendergast who is one of the most exciting young prospects in international cricket. Her recent World Cup experiences will only add to the side and of course, her cricket will do the talking.
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