A home game 80 miles away, the winners v the wooden spoon, the World Boss in Mansfield and a storm brewing – there are a few key matches coming up this bank holiday Monday.
Central Sparks v Southern Vipers
Sir Paul Getty’s Ground, Wormsley
10:30am
Despite being a ‘home game’ for the Sparks, fans will have to travel to Vipers territory – over 80 miles away – to watch the Midlands side in Buckinghamshire. Wormsley, the quintessentially English and picturesque ground, will host the clash – a fixture which both sides have won once.
In their weekend matches, both teams comfortably secured their first wins. Vipers had a key opening partnership between Ella McCaughan and Maia Bouchier of 117 – something the Sparks will be keen to prevent.
Sparks were slower with the bat but with six wickets coming from spin and four from pace, Sparks’ bowling attack is the all-round package.
As usual, Vipers go into the game as favourites however, Sparks will take plenty of momentum from their first win over reigning champions, Northern Diamonds.
Sunrisers v Northern Diamonds
The Cloud County Ground, Chelmsford
10:30am
Sunrisers defaulted back to their losing ways but over the weekend, the Diamonds fell to the same fate. Diamonds suffered the tougher loss and both sides will be keen to bounce back.
Lauren Winfield-Hill has been the star of the show in recent matches and so Sunrisers’ variety of young bowlers will strive to silence her.
Sunrisers struggled with the bat again and the team will be keen to get more runs on the board. Wickets have been shared between the bowlers and so this is something the Southern side will want to continue.
The northern side bowled 10 wides against the Sparks – the bowling attack will need to tighten up to avoid being punished by batters like Grace Scrivens.
Diamonds would be the more favoured to win and perhaps some newfound motivation after their dire loss will help them to turn it around.
The Blaze v Thunder
Welbeck CC, Nettleworth
10:30am
Thunder are the only side yet to get a win on the board. They have faced significant losses against Western Storm and South East Stars. Thunder will be away from home again as they come up against The Blaze who are two from two.
Emma Lamb and Ellie Threlkeld will look to extend their previous partnership of 72 runs and bat out all 50 overs. Thunder have a new weapon in the form of 17-year-old left-arm seamer, Mahika Gaur who has international caps for the UAE. She took 3/39 on debut on Saturday being the pick of the bowlers.
The Blaze need to keep their winning streak going. Spin and seam have been dangerous for opposition and England’s Tammy Beaumont and Sarah Glenn have been very consistent with the bat.
The Nottinghamshire side saw three ducks among the batters – an error they will be desperate not to repeat. The Blaze have all the momentum they need and head into the game the stronger of the two sides.
Western Storm v South East Stars
County Ground, Bristol
10:30am
Western Storm have found a gem in Orla Prendergast who scored a century on debut. Some of Storm’s bowling has been quite expensive, particularly giving away extras. This is something which will have to improve ahead of facing the Stars.
Stars had a disastrous loss against the Vipers on Saturday. They have played in two very contrasting games so far and will look for some positive consistency.
Storm’s opening batters fell for single figures and the Storm cannot purely rely on Prendergast and Fran Wilson.
South East Stars have a number of centrally contracted players in their side which can only be an advantage for them. Their batting over the weekend was quite poor, Paige Scholfield top scoring with 31.
Stars would seem like the stronger side but if Storm can improve their bowling, they stand a better chance of securing the win.
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