2023 Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy Preview: Sparks v Storm
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Central Sparks in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy at Moseley CC, Birmingham today (Tuesday July 11th).
This 50-over match will get underway at 10:30am.
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.
TEAM NEWS
Western Storm will be without Heather Knight, Dani Gibson and Lauren Filer who are currently on England duty. Phoebe Graham is in contention to make her debut after signing on loan from Thunder.
A starting XI will be named from the following players: Sophie Luff (c), Emma Corney, Fran Wilson, Piepa Cleary, Claire Nicholas, Nat Wraith, Alex Griffiths, Nicole Harvey, Mollie Robbins, Chloe Skelton, Sophia Smale, Niamh Holland, Izzy Patel, Katie Jones, Isla Thomson, Phoebe Graham and Rebecca Odgers.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Western Storm Head Coach, Trevor Griffin said: “The mood in the camp is really good and everyone is raring to go against Central Sparks.
“There have been a couple of occasions this season where we’ve bowled well for the first two thirds of the game and then just taken our foot off the pedal and therefore allowed the opposition to post a good total. That was the case against The Blaze last time out. We also lost a couple of wickets at crucial times which also cost us. We’ve been working on a few things since then to tighten up the bowling and we hope that we can take the learnings from that and get a win on the board.
“It’s always a good match against Central Sparks and they’re coming off the back of a good win, so it’s going to be a tough game. There are a few unknowns because neither side has played at Moseley before, but it’s a game that we’re all looking forward to.”
THE OPPOSITION
CENTRAL SPARKS
Captain: Eve Jones
Head coach: Lloyd Tennant
2022 finish: Fifth
2022 highest run-scorer: Abbey Freeborn (227 runs)
2022 highest wicket-taker: Grace Potts (10 wickets)
Key winter moves: Sparks have been busy throughout the close-season, strengthening the squad with early winter moves to secure left-arm fast bowler Katie George and top-order batter Chloe Brewer and more recently adding the prestige signing of experienced Australian batting all-rounder Erin Burns who will be available from early May to the end of July.
Player to watch: Hannah Baker – Hannah’s leg spin was one of the standouts in England Under-19s’ World Cup campaign in South Africa during the winter. She finished third top wicket-taker in the tournament as England reached the final and will be looking to follow that up with a productive season for Sparks.
NEXT MATCH
Western Storm’s next match is on Saturday July 15th when we take on Southern Vipers at Millfield School in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy.
Tickets for this match are still available.
