2024 RHFT Preview: Southern Vipers v Western Storm
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Southern Vipers in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy at the 1st Central County Ground, Hove tomorrow (Sunday June 30th).
This 50-over match will get underway at 10:30am.
Tickets for this fixture are still available.
Western Storm are currently sixth in the table with nine points from six matches whilst Southern Vipers are third with 18 points from the same number of fixtures.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
For further matchday information please use the below link to the official Sussex CCC web site.
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 are without Heather Knight, Dani Gibson and Lauren Filer (international duty) but Issy Wong is available for selection after her loan deal was extended.
Sophie Luff is in line to make her 100th appearance for Western Storm.
A starting XI will be named from the following squad: Sophie Luff (c), Dani Gibson, Fran Wilson, Nat Wraith, Katie Jones, Alex Griffiths, Niamh Holland, Jess Hazell, Issy Wong, Mollie Robbins, Gemma Lane, Amanda Jade Wellington, Chloe Skelton, Sophia Smale, Ellie Anderson, Claire Nicholas, Lola Harris, Imogen Cooper and Emily Geach.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the game, Western Storm Head Coach, Trevor Griffin said: “Vipers are obviously a strong side and we are going to have to go out there and play our best cricket.
“It’s great to get back out on the park. The Charlotte Edwards Cup wasn’t the campaign that we set out to have, but we played some good cricket in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy prior to the T20s. The girls trained well this week and everybody is keen to put in a good performance. If both teams play at their best then it should be a great game.”
Regarding Sophie Luff’s 100th appearance, Trevor added: “She’s been a real rock for Western Storm since 2016 when we started out in the Kia Super League. She’s a true professional and it’s fitting that in the final year of Western Storm she is able to reach this milestone. It shows her dedication to the team and how professional she is in terms of being able to keep herself fit.”
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: Georgia Adams
Head Coach: Charlotte Edwards
2023 finish: Winners
2023 highest run-scorer: Georgia Adams (546)
2023 highest wicket-taker: Georgia Adams (20)
Key winter moves: Freya Davies arrives from South East Stars to bolster the fast bowling unit after losing her England contract. Australian spin bowling all-rounder Charli Knott has been recruited for the majority of the summer after an eye-catching WBBL series.
The big question: Can they win it again? 2023 was quietly a difficult summer, despite winning the double, due to England availability. 2024 will likely test their squad depths once again but they’ll still be favourites to make it four RHFT successes out of five.
Player to watch: Mary Taylor burst onto the scene with 14 RHFT wickets last year – only four pace bowlers claimed more. Tall, bowls with good pace and has skills to expose batters; she spent this winter with England Under 19s alongside fellow Vipers Ava Lee and Abi Norgrove.
NEXT MATCH
Western Storm’s next match is on Sunday July 7th when we take on Northern Diamonds at Cheltenham College in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
