2023 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Preview: Storm v Diamonds
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Northern Diamonds in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton tomorrow (Sunday September 10th).
This 50-over match will get underway at 10:30am.
Gates will open at 9:30am
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.
A live stream of the match will also be available via the Official Storm website.
In association with Vertu Motors, Somerset County Cricket Club and Western Storm will be providing radio ear pieces to enable Members and supporters to enjoy our live ball-by-ball match commentary. These will be available to purchase at a cost of £12 and these will last all season.
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 three times in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint competition with the Diamonds coming out on top on each occasion.
TEAM NEWS
Western Storm will be without Heather Knight, Lauren Filer and Dani Gibson who are all on international duty.
A starting XI will be named from the following squad: Sophie Luff (c), Emma Corney, Fran Wilson, Claire Nicholas, Nat Wraith, Alex Griffiths, Nicole Harvey, Mollie Robbins, Chloe Skelton, Sophia Smale, Niamh Holland, Izzy Patel, Katie Jones, Isla Thomson, Rebecca Odgers and Gemma Lane.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the game, Western Storm Head Coach, Trevor Griffin said: “We’re bitterly disappointed with how we played against Sunrisers, especially with the bat. We’d had good training sessions leading into the game and we’ve had good conversations since. The top six recognise that they need to take responsibility with the bat. I feel that we fought really well in the game after a tough start and that’s something that we can take into the game on Sunday.
“Northern Diamonds are also coming into the match off the back of a defeat, but it was a tight game for them and there were some big performances by some of their players, so it’ll be a tough game.
“We love playing at Taunton. It feels like our home and we always get great support there, not just from our supporters but also from the staff at the Club. I know that all the girls are excited and can’t wait to get out there on Sunday.”
THE OPPOSITION
Northern Diamonds
Captain: Hollie Armitage
Head Coach: Dani Hazell
2022 finish: Champions
2022 highest run-scorer: Lauren Winfield-Hill (470)
2022 highest wicket-taker: Linsey Smith (13)
Key winter moves: It’s all change at Headingley, where the Diamonds have lost some significant experience in terms of Linsey Smith to Southern Vipers and Nat Sciver-Brunt to new Nottingham-based team Blaze. Also gone are retired England legends Jenny Gunn and Katherine Sciver-Brunt. Diamonds have signed batter Rebecca Duckworth from Thunder and, on the eve of the season, powerful South Africa all-rounder Chloe Tryon on an overseas deal until August. But mostly they have opted to make use of their fruitful Academy set-up.
Player to watch: Hollie Armitage – The batting all-rounder was captain fantastic last year – 343 RHF Trophy runs in the top order and 11 wickets with her canny leg-spin. She catches flies in the field and led the side expertly in her second full campaign in charge. The Diamonds hierarchy believe she has all the tools to push on and play senior cricket for England. Another year like last, or better, and they’ll likely be right.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are attending the match please see Somerset’s Visitor Guide below for further matchday information.
Gates will open at 9:30am. Entry to the Cooper Associates County Ground will be via the Jack White Gates and the Brian Rose Gates ONLY.
SCCC Members can claim their free ticket via their online account under ‘advantages’. Member Only seating will be available on the upper tier of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion.
Ticket buyers can print and download their online tickets via their SCCC account.
All ticket or Membership collections will be from the Jack White Gates (St James Street).
Seating will be available in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion, The Ondaatje Stands, Gimblett’s Hill and sections of the Somerset Stand.
The Club Enquiries Desk will be based in the Reception of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion and not in the Andrew Caddick Pavilion.
Matchday food and drink will be available from the air conditioned Stragglers Coffee House and from the concession unit situated on the upper tier of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion. Hot food will be served from 11am.
There will be no access to the outfield during the interval.
Due to the busy nature of a matchday, our telephone lines will closed for the duration of the game.
The forecast is for hot weather, so spectators are urged to take this into consideration.
NEXT MATCH
Western Storm’s next match is on Wednesday when they take on Central Sparks in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.
Tickets for this match are still available.
