2023 Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy Preview: Sunrisers v Storm
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Sunrisers in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy at Radlett CC tomorrow (Tuesday September 5th).
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.
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides have met on five occasions in the competition, with Western Storm coming out on top in all five matches.
Western Storm’s highest team score in the series is 313 for four at Bristol in 2021, whilst for Sunrisers it is 277 all out in the same game.
The highest individual innings for Western Storm is 157 not out by Sophie Luff at Bristol last year, whilst for Sunrisers it’s 74 by Cordelia Griffith at the Cloud County Ground in 2022.
The best bowling figures in the series for Western Storm is five for 26 by Fi Morris at Chelmsford in 2020. For Sunrisers it’s two for 33 by Mady Villiers at the Cloud County Ground in 2022.
TEAM NEWS
Western Storm will be without Heather Knight, Lauren Filer and Dani Gibson who are all on international duty, but Gemma Lane has joined the squad.
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 match, Western Storm Head Coach, Trevor Griffin said: “We will be looking to start this final part of the season off in style with a win, but Sunrisers are a good side and we had a close game with them at Cheltenham last time out. A number of their players impressed during The Hundred, so we’re expecting it to be a very tough game.
“There’s a lot of excitement in the group and we’ll be getting everyone together on Sunday. We’ve got a heavy training session planned and it will be great to get everyone together again.
“Heather, Lauren and Dani are away with England but we’re in the process of signing Gemma Lane who will be joining us for the rest of the season on a pay as you play contract. She’s played some Second XI cricket for us and she impressed us, so with Lauren and Dani unavailable we needed to bring in someone who can pick up overs in the powerplay.”
THE OPPOSITION
SUNRISERS
Captain: Kelly Castle
Head Coach: Andy Tennant
2022 finish: Eighth
2022 highest run-scorer: Grace Scrivens (297)
2022 highest wicket-taker: Grace Scrivens (13)
Key winter moves: Sunrisers pulled off something of a coup by signing former South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk, who is available from mid-May until late July. They have also strengthened their bowling line-up with the arrival of seamer Eva Gray – South East Stars’ leading wicket-taker in last year’s tournament – while Scotland all-rounder Saskia Horley joins the side for their first five games.
Player to watch: Grace Scrivens was the breakout star of Sunrisers’ campaign in 2022, hitting four half-centuries at the top of the order as well as heading the wicket-taking charts ahead of fellow off-spinner Villiers. The 19-year-old captained England to the Under-19 T20 World Cup final earlier this year and it’s surely only a matter of time before full international honours follow.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tickets for the match are available on the gate.
If you are attending the match, everything you need to know is available via the Sunrisers Website
NEXT MATCH
On Sunday September 10th Storm will take on Northern Diamonds in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy at the Cooper Associates County Ground.
Tickets for this match are available now!
