2024 CEC Preview: South East Stars v Western Storm
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on South East Stars in the Charlotte Edwards Cup at the County Ground, Beckenham tomorrow (Monday May 27th).
Play is due to start at 2:30pm.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
A live stream of the match will be made available and you can keep up to date via our match centre.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: Bryony Smith
Head Coach: Johann Myburgh
2023 finish: Fifth
2023 highest run-scorer: Bryony Smith (256)
2023 highest wicket-taker: Danielle Gregory & Phoebe Franklin (7)
The big question: Traditionally, Stars have been disrupted in the shorter format by England call-ups, but with only Alice Capsey on duty versus Pakistan can they recapture the form which saw them become inaugural winners in 2021.
Player to watch: Sophia Dunkley – Overlooked by England, if Dunkley can return to her destructive best, she will lend support to Bryony Smith and a top order which lost three wickets in the powerplay three times last season.
Young gun: Alexa Stonehouse – Fresh from her exploits at the Women’s U19s World Cup, Stonehouse offers the prospect of wickets in the powerplay, plus some power hitting either down the order or even employed as a pinch-hitter should that role be required.
Final thought: Even making allowances for international call-ups, Stars were underwhelming in this competition in 2023. Their batting either misfired in the powerplay or failed to build on good starts given by Bryony Smith. They also had no bowler among the top 10 wicket-takers.
TEAM NEWS
Western Storm will be without Heather Knight and Lauren Filer (international duty). Ellie Anderson returns to the squad and Issy Wong is included after joining on loan.
A starting XI will be named from the following squad: Sophie Luff (c), Emma Corney, Fran Wilson, Dani Gibson, Nat Wraith, Katie Jones, Alex Griffiths, Niamh Holland, Jess Hazell, Mollie Robbins, Gemma Lane, Issy Wong, Amanda Jade Wellington, Chloe Skelton, Ellie Anderson, Sophia Smale, Claire Nicholas, Lola Harris, Imogen Cooper and Emily Geach.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the game, Head Coach, Trevor Griffin said: “We’ve had two close games in the competition so far, but we haven’t put in a complete performance yet. We’re aware of that and everyone is desperate to get out there and kickstart our season. We just need to be a little bit smarter and a little bit tidier, but we don’t need to move too far away from what we’ve been doing so far.
“Stars are well drilled and well skilled with several different options that they can go to. They’re coming off the back of a good win, but we beat them earlier in the season in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. We just need to focus on what we do and execute our skills.”
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are planning to attend this match, you can find out everything that you need to know via the Kent CCC website.
NEXT MATCH
Our next match is on Thursday May 30th when we take on Southern Vipers at Utilita Bowl, Southampton.
