2024 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Preview: Western Storm v Northern Diamonds
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Northern Diamonds in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at Headingley tomorrow (Wednesday April 24th).
This 50-over match will get underway at 10:30am.
Tickets for this fixture are still available.
Storm will be looking to get our first win of the season, after Saturday’s defeat to Sunrisers in Cardiff.
Northern Diamonds, on the other hand, come off a dominating victory at home at Chester-le-Street against Lancashire Thunder. Leg-spinner Katie Levick impressed with a four-wicket haul, and batters Lauren Winfield-Hill and captain Hollie Armitage scored fifties to register a nine-wicket win.
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 Heather Knight, whilst Emma Corney misses out due to a shoulder injury.
A starting XI will be named from the following squad: Sophie Luff (c), Dani Gibson, Fran Wilson, Claire Nicholas, Nat Wraith, Katie Jones, Alex Griffiths, Lauren Filer, Niamh Holland, Mollie Robbins, Gemma Lane, Amanda Jade Wellington, Chloe Skelton, Sophia Smale, Lola Harris, Imogen Cooper and Emily Geach.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the game, Western Storm Head Coach, Trevor Griffin said: “The fixtures come thick and fast in this competition and that gives us the opportunity to get back out on the field quite quickly. Everyone is keen to put things right with the bat after Saturday’s result again Sunrisers.
“There’s disappointment about how we batted and that we didn’t go out there and showcase the shift that was made over the winter, but the mood in the camp is good. There’s a real determination within the group to put things right. We can’t change what’s gone before, but we can take some positives, like how we performed in the field, into this week’s game. We know we didn’t perform with the bat. We’ve discussed it and we’ve parked it now and the focus has been on how to get our season up and running on Wednesday.
“Headingley is a great venue, there’s always a good surface up there and we can’t wait to get going.”
LAST MEETING
The two teams last faced off against each other at the Cooper Associates County Ground the end of the 2023 season, with Northern Diamonds coming on top with a 31-run win. The match was reduced to 43 overs per side due to the weather.
Lauren Winfield-Hill top scored with 83 after the visitors had been put in to bat as Northern Diamonds posted 281 for three from their allotted overs.
Despite captain Sophie Luff’s fighting 87 and half centuries for Fran Wilson (57) and Nat Wraith (61) Storm fell short of the big target as the visitors triumphed by 31 runs.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: Hollie Armitage
Head coach: Dani Hazell
2023 finish: Sixth
2023 highest run-scorer: Lauren Winfield-Hill (663)
2023 highest wicket-taker: Katie Levick (24)
Key winter moves: Experienced Australian all-rounder Erin Burns has signed an overseas deal through to the start of The Hundred in July, and emerging fast bowler Sophia Turner has moved across the Pennines permanently following a brief loan spell last September. Director of cricket James Carr departed this winter.
The big question: Can the Diamonds repeat their glorious 2022 title triumph? A number of experienced heads at the heart of that campaign – Jenny Gunn, Linsey Smith to name just two – departed immediately afterwards, paving the way for a core of homegrown youngsters to come through. The hope is they are now ready to challenge the Southern Vipers again.
Player to watch: Captain Hollie Armitage has only recently made her senior England debut and also captained England A this winter. Her top-order runs will be key, while she should chip in with her handy leg-spinners. Widely regarded as one of the best captains on the circuit.
Final thought: The Diamonds have a number of talented youngsters capable of winning matches. Grace Hall, Lizzie Scott, Phoebe Turner and Jess Woolston are amongst them. But key to their hopes of success will be the continued excellence of local legends Lauren Winfield-Hill and Katie Levick, who finished last season’s competition as its leading run-scorer and second leading wicket-taker respectively.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are attending the match please click the link below for further matchday information.
NEXT MATCH
Western Storm’s next match is on Saturday April 27th when we take on Thunder at Emirates Old Trafford in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
Tickets for this match are still available.
