2023 RHF Trophy Preview: Storm v Vipers
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Southern Vipers in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy at Millfield School tomorrow (Saturday July 15th).
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 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: “Obviously, it was frustrating and disappointing to have our match abandoned earlier in the week, but the team have trained really well over the last couple of days and everyone is in a good place.
“Even with some players away with England, Vipers are a well drilled unit and it will be a tough game , as it always is against them. They’re coming off the back of a couple of loses and a tied game, so we need to be ready because they will want to bounce back.
“It’s our first time playing at Millfield. It’s a great facility with a tremendous history and heritage within the game. Hopefully, the weather will hold because everyone is looking forward to what should be a good a good game against Vipers.”
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.
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.
NEXT MATCH
Western Storm’s next match is on Saturday July 22nd when we take on South East Stars at The County Ground, Beckenham in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy.
