2024 CEC Preview: Western Storm v Sunrisers
THE MATCH
Blast Off will see the Cooper Associates County Ground staging two not-to-be-missed matches today (Friday May 31st).
Western Storm take on Sunrisers in the Charlotte Edwards Cup before Somerset face Essex Eagles in the Vitality Blast.
Gates open at 1:30pm, with Western Storm getting things underway at 2:30pm.
Somerset v Essex Eagles will being at 6:30pm.
Please note that neither of these matches are included in 2024 Western Storm Membership.
Tickets for this match have sold out, but you may still be able to access tickets via Somerset CCC’s Official Re-Sale Platform.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Bag searches will be in operation and spectators are reminded that no alcohol, glass or sharp implements will be permitted within the Cooper Associates County Ground.
For full Ground Regulations please visit the link below:
Ticket buyers can download their online tickets via their SCCC account.
All ticket or Membership collections will be from the Jack White Gates (St James Street).
The Club Enquiries Desk will be based in the Reception of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion and not in the Andrew Caddick Pavilion on matchdays.
Due to the busy nature of a matchday, SCCC telephone lines will be closed.
Information on everything that you will need for a matchday at SCCC, including how to download your e-tickets and how to use the SCCC Ticket App can all be found in our Visiting Guide.
FAN VILLAGE & CATERING
We will once again be staging our brilliant fan village in the St James Street side of the Cooper Associates County Ground.
The fan village will once again feature a wide range of food and drink plus live music before and after the match.
Matchday food and drink will be available from the SCCC concessions and bars around the ground.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
A live stream of the match will be made available via this website.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: Grace Scrivens
Head Coach: Andy Tennant
2023 finish: Eighth
2023 highest run-scorer: Cordelia Griffith (205)
2023 highest wicket-taker: Mady Villiers (10)
The big question: Sunrisers’ transformation into serious contenders in 50-over cricket during the past year has been remarkable. Can they transfer that winning habit to the T20 format, having completed the tournament’s past two editions without a victory?
Player to watch: Having impressed in last winter’s Women’s Big Bash League, Australian seamer Nicola Hancock brings pace and variation to Sunrisers’ bowling attack. The 28-year-old will represent a potent wicket-taking weapon in both the powerplay and death overs.
Young gun: Academy graduate Amu Surenkumar, still only 17, contributes runs in the middle order as well as providing a useful medium-pace option and will surely benefit from her recent experience as part of England Under-19s’ T20 side in Sri Lanka.
Final thought: While Dane van Niekerk’s planned return was eventually shelved, Sunrisers can still turn to fast-scoring batters like Cordelia Griffith, Grace Scrivens and Jodi Grewcock, along with a range of spin options and a top-quality seamer in Nicola Hancock. They should have enough to be competitive and win some games, even if a knockout place might remain elusive.
TEAM NEWS
Western Storm will be without Heather Knight and Lauren Filer (international duty).
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, Amanda Jade Wellington, Chloe Skelton, Sophia Smale, Ellie Anderson, Issy Wong, Claire Nicholas, Lola Harris, Imogen Cooper and Emily Geach.
CLASSIC MATCH
We go back to 2022 for our classic encounter between the two sides.
Western Storm and Sunrisers met at the Cooper Associates County Ground on May 29th that year and it was a game that the home side won by 41 runs.
Sophie Luff won the toss and elected to bat first.
The hosts slipped to two for one, but Luff and Heather Knight (34) shared a second wicket stand of 69 to get the innings back on track. Luff went on to make 78 from 54 balls and received good support from Dani Gibson (26 from 19) as Storm posted 169 for five from their 20 overs.
Despite 53 from Naomi Dattani and 40 not out from Kelly Castle, Sunrisers were restricted 128 for six as Storm claimed a bonus point victory.
Gibson (two for 13) and Claire Nicholas (two for 22) were the pick of the bowlers.
NEXT MATCH
Our next match is on Friday June 7th when we take on The Blaze at the Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester.
This match is a double header with Leicestershire Foxes Vitality Blast clash with Durham
Tickets are still available for this double header
