2023 Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy Preview: Storm v Thunder
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Thunder in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy at Sophia Gardens tomorrow (Saturday April 29th).
This 50-over match will get underway at 10:30am.
Tickets for this match are still available.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date via the Western Storm website.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
HEAD TO HEAD
The teams have faced each other twice in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint competition with Western Storm coming out on top on both occasions.
The first game was in 2021 when Storm won a close encounter by just one wicket at Bristol.
After winning the toss, Sophie Luff elected to field first.
Emma Lamb top scored for Thunder with an outstanding 121 from 105 balls as her side posted a total of 291 for eight from their 50 overs. Anya Shrubsole (three for 29) and Georgia Hennessy (three for 57) were the pick of the home bowlers.
Heather Knight scored 91 but when she fell at 195 for five in off the final ball of the 37th over Storm were in trouble. However, Shrubsole blitzed her way to 61 from just 41 balls and hit the winning boundary off the final ball of the match to secure a dramatic victory for her side.
The last time the two sides met was in last year’s competition at Emirates Old Trafford. It was a clash that Storm won by two wickets (D/L method).
Seren Smale (57) and Deandra Dottin (46) helped to ensure that their side reached 242 for five after being asked to bat first.
Chasing a reduced target of 239 from 48 overs, Storm reached their total from 44.3 overs for the loss of eight wickets. Dani Gibson top scored with 56 from 40 balls.
TEAM NEWS
A starting XI will be named from the following players: Sophie Luff (c), Danielle Gibson, Heather Knight, Emma Corney, Fran Wilson, Claire Nicholas, Nat Wraith, Alex Griffiths, Nicole Harvey, Lauren Filer, Mollie Robbins, Chloe Skelton, Sophia Smale, Niamh Holland, Izzy Patel, Katie Jones, Isla Thomson, and Rebecca Odgers.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Head Coach, Trevor Griffin said: “We haven’t had the start to the campaign that we were looking for. There were good elements to our game, but we just didn’t do the basics well enough for long enough. We looked rusty, but that’s only to be expected given that we were only able to play one of our six pre-season games. We’ve taken a lot of learnings from last weekend and the girls are excited to get back out there and show a home crowd exactly what Storm can do. The players have trained hard this week and they’re all raring to go.
“Thunder are a good side with a talented squad. It’ll be a tough game, but it’s one that we’re looking forward to.
“We always look forward to playing home games, and it will be great to get out there on Saturday at Sophia Gardens.”
THE OPPOSITION
Thunder
Captain: Ellie Threlkeld
Head Coach: Paul Shaw
2022 finish: Seventh place
2022 highest run-scorer: Ellie Threlkeld (266)
2022 highest wicket-taker: Alex Hartley (10)
Key winter moves: Thunder have been busy. Six signings include a trio of eye-catching contracted professionals in USA left-arm quick Tara Norris (Southern Vipers) and all-rounders Naomi Dattani (Sunrisers) and Fi Morris (Western Storm). West Indian all-rounder Deandra Dottin, the self-confessed ‘World Boss’, returns as overseas. All-rounder Steph Butler (Central Sparks) and Scottish seamer Hannah Rainey have also inked pay-as-you-play deals. Serial trophy winner Norris last month became the first player to take five wickets in a WPL match in India.
Player to watch: A number of players set for big summers could be chosen – from Emma Lamb to Ellie Threlkeld to England Under-19s wicketkeeper-batter Seren Smale. But let’s go for another England Under-19, the dynamic all-rounder Liberty Heap. A newly-contracted batter-spinner, the Lowerhouse teenager is a real excitement machine with the bat, be it up the order or in the finisher’s role. A breakthrough summer is incoming.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are attending the match please visit the Official Glamorgan website for further matchday information.
NEXT MATCH
Western Storm’s next match is on Monday May 1st when we take on South East Stars in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy at The Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.
