The weekend starts early with the first game of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Round 4 being played on Friday at Radlett CC. There are some cracking venues and great match ups this second bank holiday weekend!
Sunrisers v South East Stars
Radlett Cricket Club, Hertfordshire
10:30am (Friday 5th May)
Sunrisers will host the in-form South East Stars at Radlett Cricket Club. The Sunrisers come off the back of two big losses while the Stars registered an emphatic win over Western Storm – Paige Scholfield registering another century.
The Stars have England batter, Sophia Dunkley, back in their squad who’s been busy over the winter playing in the inaugural WPL and the second edition of Fairbreak. South East Stars utilised nine bowlers recently against the Southern Vipers – will we see Dunkley bowling, especially given that she took 8 wickets during Fairbreak?
Sunrisers need to find their winning ability again. Jodi Grewcock has been quite consistent for the side but the teams batting, overall, has been very weak. We have seen how destructive the Stars can be with the bat so Friday’s clash will be a big feat for the visitors.
Northern Diamonds v The Blaze
Seat Unique Riverside, Chester-le-Street
10:30am
Northern Diamonds will have Saturday’s home advantage but it is The Blaze who are yet to lose a game. The Blaze had their game called off against the Thunder on the first bank holiday Monday while Northern Diamonds beat the Sunrisers by five wickets.
The Diamonds suffered a huge loss to the Sparks in their first game of the weekend so they are vulnerable to a batting collapse. This won’t be helped by the fact that Blaze have their bowling attack perfected.
The hosts do have some powerful batters in their line up including the ever present, Lauren Winfield-Hill and South African all-rounder, Chloe Tryon, who will all be vital in the game.
Southern Vipers v Western Storm
1st Central County Ground, Hove
10:30am
Vipers and Storm have both had huge losses and huge wins. Vipers do seem like the stronger side and have been more consistent in their performances. The Vipers have numerous options with both bat and ball – their depth in talent being one of their greatest strengths.
Georgia Adams, Vipers skipper, has been a regular performer for the side. Taking 4-fer and scoring 50 runs last match shows how key she is for the Vipers and the threat she poses in both innings.
Western Storm are missing vital player and captain, Sophie Luff. This has effected their batting depth and again are lacking cohesion within the line up. Lauren Filer and Dani Gibson however, have been stand-out with the ball and could make the difference against such a tough side.
Thunder v Central Sparks
Old Trafford, Manchester
10:30am
Thunder head back to Old Trafford to host the Sparks. Thunder picked up two points after a wash out against the Blaze over the bank holiday. The Sparks had a mixed weekend with a superb victory at Worcester over Northern Diamonds but then fell short against the Vipers.
Thunder have not won a game yet and will be desperate to take the win but Sparks are only getting stronger. Australian batter, Erin Burns, has arrived in Birmingham and has started training with the Sparks this week. She is set to make her debut this weekend at Old Trafford – a ground she is familiar with after a stint with Manchester Originals.
Burns offers bags of experience and plenty of big shots. It will be interesting to watch who clears the boundary further – Deandra Dottin or Erin Burns?
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