2024 CEC Preview: Western Storm v Thunder
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Thunder in the Charlotte Edwards Cup at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff tomorrow (Thursday June 13th).
This match is a double header with Glamorgan’s Vitality Blast fixture with Hampshire Hawks.
Western Storm v Thunder begins at 2:30pm with Glamorgan v Hampshire Hawks set to get underway at 6:30pm.
Please note that this match is NOT included in 2024 Western Storm Membership.
Tickets for this fixture are still available.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
For further matchday information please use the below link to the official Gloucestershire CCC visitor guide.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date via the Western Storm website.
A live stream of the match will also be available.
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 Dani Gibson, but Heather Knight and Lauren Filer will be available for this fixture
A starting XI will be named from the following squad: Sophie Luff (c), Heather Knight, Emma Corney, Fran Wilson, Nat Wraith, Alex Griffiths, Niamh Holland, Jess Hazell, Mollie Robbins, Gemma Lane, Lauren Filer, Issy Wong, Amanda Jade Wellington, Chloe Skelton, Ellie Anderson, Sophia Smale, Katie Jones, 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 spoken about where we are from a season perspective. We can’t change what’s happened already and we re very much focused on looking forward and aiming to finish our Charlotte Edwards Cup campaign well. We will then aim to take that confidence into the second stage of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Everyone is focused on going out there and showcasing what we can do and turning things around.
“It’s our last home T20 match and we’ve loved playing at Taunton, Bristol and Cardiff. We get great support from all the venues and hopefully the weather will hold off and we can have a good day.
“Thunder have got some good players with the likes of Sophie Ecclestone and Kate Cross. They’ve got top internationals along side some very experienced players, and we’re looking forward to the challenge that provides. If we play at the level that I know we’re capable of then it will be a cracker of a game.”
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: Ellie Threlkeld
Head Coach: Chris Read
2023 finish: Third (beaten in semi-final on Finals Day)
2023 highest run-scorer: Fi Morris (209)
2023 highest wicket-taker: Olivia Bell (11)
The big questions: Can Thunder better last season’s semi-final finish? They advanced beyond the group stage for the first time in either regional competition. Despite being beaten by eventual champions Southern Vipers, it felt like the moment this region arrived on the scene.
Player to watch: Thunder have signed powerful Aussie batting all-rounder Georgia Voll as their T20 overseas player. A key member of the Brisbane Heat team at home, she scored a red-ball double century off only 238 balls opening the batting in an Australia Possibles v Probables trial match in March.
Young gun: Thunder have significant top-order strength, and in-form England A star Seren Smale is central to that – Voll and Emma Lamb too. Wrexham-born Smale, 19, is the second leading run-scorer in the early-season Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with 286, posting scores of 99, 58 and 67.
Final thought: It hasn’t been the start to the season Thunder would have wanted, winning only two of six 50-over matches. But they lost some games that on another day they would have won, and there have been signs of progression under new coach Chris Read, the former England Men’s wicketkeeper-batter. But he will know that winning is the only definite way to prove that.
CLASSIC MATCH
The last time that the two sides met in the Charlotte Edwards Cup at Sophia Gardens was in August 2021.
It was a match that Western Storm won by seven wickets.
Sophie Luff won the toss and elected to bowl first and Thunder were restricted to 100 for nine from their 20 overs.
Nicole Harvey was the pic of the bowlers, claiming three for 13.
Storm slipped to 34 for three in reply but 47 not out from Katie George saw them home with 14 balls to spare.
NEXT MATCH
Western Storm’s next match is on Sunday June 16th when we take on Northern Diamonds at Headingley in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
This match is a double header with Yorkshire Vikings Vitality Blast clash with Leicestershire.
Tickets for this double header are still available.
