2023 Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy Preview: Vipers v Storm
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Southern Vipers in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove tomorrow (Saturday May 6th).
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 two sides have met on three occasions in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy, with the Vipers coming out on top on each occasion.
Western Storm’s highest team score in the series is 256 all out at The Ageas Bowl in 2020, whilst for Southern Vipers it is 288 for one in the same match.
The highest individual innings for Western Storm is 79 by Sophie Luff at The Ageas Bowl in 2020, whilst for Southern Vipers it is 154 not out by Georgia Adams in the same fixture.
The best bowling figures in the series for Western Storm is two for 36 by Heather Knight at Bristol in 2020. For the Vipers it is four for 41 by Charlotte Taylor.
TEAM NEWS
Storm will once again be without Captain, Sophie Luff (thumb) and a starting XI will be named from the following players: Danielle Gibson (c), Orla Prendergast, 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, Western Storm Head Coach, Trevor Griffin said: “It was a mixed bag for us over the bank holiday weekend. I was really pleased with how we went about things on Saturday against Thunder. I was happy with how we started on Monday but we took our foot off the accelerator and allowed them to build partnerships. We also didn’t get going with the bat and they squeezed us at the right times.
“We’re a young squad and we will take lots of learnings from our games so far. The girls were really hurting after Monday and they’re looking forward to putting that right against the Vipers.
“Vipers are a very good side with quality throughout the team, but we’ve got quality of our own and we just need to focus on what we do.”
THE OPPOSITION
Southern Vipers
Captain: Georgia Adams
Head Coach: Charlotte Edwards
2022 finish: Runners Up
2022 highest run-scorer: Emily Windsor (288 runs: 261 for Vipers, 27 for Lightning)
2022 highest wicket-taker: Tara Norris (12)
Key winter moves: The Vipers have lost three stalwarts. Carla Rudd retired having been the side’s wicketkeeper since the first Kia Super League match in 2016. Paige Scholfield was another KSL Viper but switched to South East Stars, while Lancashire Thunder recruit Tara Norris’ left-arm pace will be a great miss. Rudd’s exit has created an intriguing battle for the gloves between previous loanee Chloe Hill and former Star Rhianna Southby. Linsey Smith has also re-joined – from Northern Diamonds – having been an original KSL Viper.
Player to watch: Mary Taylor – Last year all the noise was about Freya Kemp, and she was playing for England by July. While Taylor is unlikely to step up to international level as quickly, there is a buzz about her right-arm pace. Taylor was a travelling reserve for the Under-19s World Cup and took two wickets on her Vipers debut last year. She also has a twin sister at the Vipers, Millie, who bowls left-arm wrist spin.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are attending the match please visit the Official Sussex Website for further matchday information.
NEXT MATCH
Western Storm’s next match is on Wednesday May 10th when we take on The Blaze in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy at The Upton Steel County Ground, Leicester.
