2024 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Preview: The Blaze v Western Storm

07 May 2024

THE MATCH

Western Storm take on The Blaze at Trent Bridge in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy tomorrow (Wednesday May 8th)

Tickets for this match are still available.

Western Storm are currently sixth in the table with nine points from five matches, whilst The Blaze are eighth with four points from the same number of fixtures.

SCHEDULED HOURS OF PLAY:

First Innings: 10:30am to 1:45pm
Interval: 1:45pm to 2:30pm
Second Innings: 2:30pm to 5:45pm

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.

In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.

THE OPPOSITION

Captain: Kirstie Gordon
Head Coach: Chris Guest
2023 finish: Runners-up
2023 highest run-scorer: Tammy Beaumont (317)
2023 highest wicket-taker: Grace Ballinger (18)

Key winter moves: The return of South Africa all-rounder Nadine de Klerk for a full season is a big boost. In just seven appearances in the competition last year, the 24-year-old took 13 wickets including a career-best 7-33 against Northern Diamonds.

The big question: After reaching two domestic finals but losing both in their debut season in 2023, Blaze will be keen to repeat the feat in this competition. Can they get there again and deliver a winning performance on the day?

Player to watch: The 19-year-old leg-spinner Josie Groves, who has already played in an Under-19 World Cup final and is part of the Trent Rockets squad in The Hundred, took 12 wickets at 20.50 in last year’s competition, including 3-39 in the final.

Final thought: Although they faltered in the second half of last year’s 50-overs campaign, The Blaze delivered some stand-out performances along the way, the highlight perhaps an away win against Southern Vipers when none of their three England players were available. They have a squad with a good depth of talent but maintaining momentum for the full season will be key.

TEAM NEWS

Western Storm will be without England Internationals Heather Knight, Lauren Filer and Dani Gibson whilst Emma Corney continues to miss out due to a shoulder injury.

A starting XI will be named from the following squad: Sophie Luff (c), Fran Wilson, Claire Nicholas, Nat Wraith, Katie Jones, Alex Griffiths, Niamh Holland, Mollie Robbins, Gemma Lane, Ellie Anderson, Amanda Jade Wellington, Chloe Skelton, Sophia Smale, Lola Harris, Imogen Cooper and Emily Geach.

VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM

Ahead of the game, Head Coach, Trevor Griffin said: “We’re doing a lot of things really well and the work that’s been put in over the winter is showing through in a number of areas. We just need to tidy up a few things and we go again against The Blaze tomorrow.

“We’ve seen a big shift compared to last year. If I’m honest, some of our performances last year weren’t good enough but this year we are really frustrated not to have beaten Diamonds and Vipers. They are realising that we can genuinely win these games. We’ve gone toe to toe with three of the best teams in the competition and they need to take the positives from these performances. They’ve also been honest about where we need to be a little bit better.

“The Blaze haven’t had the start that they would have wanted, but as I keep saying, there are no easy games in this competition and we will need to be at our best if we want to come out on top.”