The final round of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy before a break for the Charlotte Edwards Cup is set to be played tomorrow. With heavy rain due across the country, it will be a miracle if games can continue. The four venues – Scarborough, Hove, Leicester and Sale – are all accustomed to hosting important games but even the best venues cannot avoid the rain.
Northern Diamonds v South East Stars
North Marine Road, Scarborough
10:30am
The Diamonds have yo-yoed so far this season. Thrashing the Sunrisers with 129 balls to spare, their next performance saw them skittled for 62. 5 of those runs came from penalty runs. The Stars have only lost one game and their wins have been emphatic.
The hosts cannot afford another huge loss – sitting in fourth currently behind three very strong sides. On the other hand, the Stars are just two points away from the Blaze and will be keen to leapfrog them if possible.
Up in Scarborough, the Stars will head into the game as the favourites with a cohesive batting line up and a ridiculous amount of capable bowlers!
Southern Vipers v Central Sparks
1st Central County Ground, Hove
10:30am
Only a few weeks ago did these two teams meet for a Sparks ‘home’ game which the Vipers won safely by 3 wickets. The Sparks have found some form in recent weeks with Eve Jones and Ami Campbell being the pick of the batters. Spinner, Georgia Davis has come into her own and Katie George has been consistent with bat and ball. Their latest recruit, Erin Burns, impressed on debut, scoring 37 and taking 4 wickets.
Vipers haven’t had a bad run either. After losing their opening game, they have registered two big wins – unfortunately missing out on a game against Western Storm due to the rain. They’ll be keen to get the game in but with more weather forecasted in Hove, their hopes look minimal.
Vipers to bring the all-round package. Their batters – all XI – can step up when needed and their bowlers are accurate and aggressive. They are sharp in the field which sets them above other teams but they aren’t immune to mistakes and the Sparks will want to sit even with them. England wicket-keeper, Amy Jones returns for the Sparks for the first time this season, who will presumably keep wicket and will hope to show up with the bat.
The Blaze v Western Storm
Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester
10:30am
The Blaze have a perfect winning streak – their washed out game against the Thunder ruining their points on the table. Sitting in 1st at the moment, they will want to get another huge win under their belt against a weak Western Storm.
Missing their skipper, Sophie Luff, has exposed the weaker batting line up. Partnerships are not being built and they only have one result on the board – their win against the winless Thunder.
The Blaze come off an unprecedented win up in Durham whereas the Storm took a futile trip to Hove where the game was washed out. The hosts will want to display a clinical all-round performance – perhaps something that has not been executed every game despite the wins.
Thunder v Sunrisers
Sale CC, Manchester
10:30am
For once, Sunrisers have more points on the board – albeit by one. Thunder’s last game ended in a tie at Old Trafford, giving them two points but a win is still to be ticked off this season.
Sunrisers had a dream start with a colossal win over the Vipers but their success has not continued and have since registered three disappointing loses. Thunder will probably one of their more winnable games of the season but they aren’t to be underestimated.
Last week’s game showed drastic improvement in the batting. Although they were bowled out, it was a stronger performance and much higher than their average total. If star batters, Ellie Threlkeld, Emma Lamb and Deandra Dottin all perform, it will make it a challenge for the Sunrisers but if key partnerships aren’t formed, then the side will crumble.
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