2024 RHFT Preview: Western Storm v Thunder
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Thunder in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy tomorrow (Saturday September 7th).
Tickets for this match are still available.
SCHEDULED HOURS OF PLAY*:
Gates will open at 9:30am.
First Innings: 10:30am to 1:40pm
Interval: 1:40pm to 2:10pm
Second Innings: 2:10pm to 5:20pm
*Timings are approximate
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
This match is included in all full SCCC Memberships and Western Storm Membership.
The following stands only will be open for this fixture:
- Marcus Trescothick Lower
- Marcus Trescothick- Upper
- The Ondaatje Family Stand
- The Ondaatje Alcohol Free Stand
- Gimblett’s Hill
- Colin Atkinson Pavilion Lower
All Premium Members (Long Room & 1875 Club) will have access to the 1875 Club for this fixture.
The Brian Rose Gates will remain closed for this fixture.
Bag searches will be in operation and spectators are reminded that no 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.
Information on everything that you will need for a matchday at SCCC, including how to redeem your guest passes, how to download your e-tickets and how to use the SCCC Ticket App can all be found in our Visiting Guide.
Free scorecards will be available from Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion.
CATERING
Matchday food and drink will be available from the concession units in the lower and upper tiers of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
Our live stream will once again be available for fans to watch via this website and at our YouTube channel.
You can also keep up to date using our dedicated matchday blog via this website’s Match Centre and on our X feed.
In association with Vertu Motors, Somerset County Cricket Club will be providing radio ear pieces to enable Members and supporters to enjoy our live ball-by-ball match commentary. These will be available to purchase from Reception in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion at a cost of £12 and these will last all season.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
THE OPPOSITION
Captain: Ellie Threlkeld
Head Coach: Chris Read
2023 finish: Seventh
2023 highest run-scorer: Ellie Threlkeld (287)
2023 highest wicket-taker: Olivia Bell (14)
Key winter moves: Former England men’s wicketkeeper Chris Read has replaced Paul Shaw as head coach. Australian top order batters Katie Mack and Georgia Voll will share overseas duties through the competition. Mack starts and finishes the campaign, while Voll, who also bowls handy off-spin, plays four games in the middle.
The big question: Thunder have struggled to make an impression in this competition, winning only nine of 34 matches across four seasons. But an emerging squad has shown shoots of progression in that time. Can they rubber-stamp that progression with success this year and can Read provide the missing ingredient?
Player to watch: Eve Jones has joined Thunder on loan for the final matches of the season.
TEAM NEWS
Western Storm will be without Heather Knight, Dani Gibson, Lauren Fier and Issy Wong because of international commitments.
A starting XI will be named from the following squad: Sophie Luff (c), Emma Corney, Fran Wilson, Alex Griffiths, Nat Wraith, Katie Jones, Niamh Holland, Sophia Smale, Amanda Jade Wellington, Ellie Anderson, Chloe Skelton, Mollie Robbins, Jess Hazell, Claire Nicholas, Gemma Lane, Lola Harris, Imogen Cooper and Emily Geach.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Western Storm Captain, Sophie Luff said: “It’s fitting that it comes full circle and we play against Thunder in both our first and final games at Taunton. It’s a great way to finish and hopefully we can put in a good performance and build on the momentum that we generated from a good performance at Radlett earlier in the week.
“It’s important that we finish off on a positive note because Western Storm means a lot to a lot of people. Some have been here right from the start and some have joined the journey along the way. We want to put in a performance for everyone who’s been involved over the years.
“We all know that there are no easy games in this competition. We beat Thunder at Old Trafford earlier in the year but ultimately we know that we have to execute our skills well enough no matter who the opposition are. Tomorrow is an opportunity for us to put in a performance for all the supporters who have backed us over the years.”
CLASSIC MATCH
Western Storm’s first competitive fixture came on July 31st, 2016 when we faced Lancashire thunder at the Cooper Associates County Ground in the Kia Super League.
After winning the toss, the visitors elected to bat first.
Stafanie Taylor claimed four for 14 and Heather knight finished with three for 11 as Storm dismissed their opponents for 83 with nine balls to spare.
Storm reached the required target from 15.3 overs to win by four wickets.
