Match Preview 2021: Western Storm v Southern Vipers
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Southern Vipers in the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy at the Cooper Associates County Ground on Saturday.
This 50-over match will get underway at 1pm.
This match is only available to Somerset Members who have applied for e-tickets via the official ticketing email.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date via the Western Storm website.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides have met on 12 occasions in all competitions. Western Storm have come out on top on six occasions , Southern Vipers have won five times and one match ended in a no result.
The sides first met at the Cooper Associates County Ground in the Kia Super League in 2016.
Western Storm won the match by eight wickets.
Southern Vipers won the toss and elected to bat and made a solid start.
Charlotte Edwards and Suzie Bates shared an opening stand of 73, but the former England skipper was dismissed for 30 by her successor, Heather Knight. Anya Shrubsole took the catch.
Knight also accounted for Bates when she trapped her lbw for 57 at 110 for two.
In the end the visitors managed to post a total of 137 for three from their 20 overs.
Despite the early loss of Rachel Priest, Storm eased to their target courtesy of an impressive 78 not out from 51 balls from Stafanie Taylor.
TEAM NEWS
Western Storm will be without England trio Heather Knight, Anya Shrubsole and Katie George for the remainder of the competition.
Head Coach, Mark O’Leary will pick the starting XI from the following players: Sophie Luff (c), Fi Morris (vc), Georgia Hennessey, Danielle Gibson, Nat Wraith, Alex Griffiths, Nicole Harvey, Lauren Parfitt, Lauren Filer, Mollie Robbins, Emma Corney, Steph Hutchins, Emily Edgcombe, Niamh Holland and Bethan Gammon.
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Head Coach Mark O’Leary said: “Any side would miss the likes of Heather, Anya and Katie but we’ve got other players in the squad who can can win games for us. It gives the rest of the squad the opportunity that they’ve been working for all winter. It’s a chance for them to shine and to show what they can do and that’s really exciting.
“We always get a great welcome in Taunton. It’s a great ground and we’re really looking forward to it.
“It should be a good game, and if we execute our skills in the way that I know we can I’m confident that we can come away with a win. The mood in the camp is great and the players can’t wait to get out there.”
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you have been successful in the Member ballot and are attending the match, please refer to the FAQ page below for everything that you need to know:
ENTRANCE TIMES AND GATES
If you have been successful in acquiring a ticket for this match, please can we request that you enter the Cooper Associates County Ground via your designated gate. This is printed on your match ticket.
Gates for this match will open at 12pm.
WE’VE MISSED YOU
With Members returning to the Cooper Associates County Ground, we wanted to let you know just how much we have missed you!
WI-FI
Don’t forget that our ground-wide Wi-Fi network is fully operational.
The Wi-Fi is completely free of charge and to connect all you have to do is select the option: “_WeAreSomerset” in your settings and enter a valid email address.
You can also update your preferences or unsubscribe at any time.
With the new Wi-Fi you can browse the internet around the Cooper Associates County Ground. This means, for example, that our matchday live stream can be accessed without using your data, meaning instant replays of all the action on the field are available at no extra cost to you.
NEXT MATCH
Somerset’s next match is on Friday June 11th when we welcome Surrey to the Cooper Associates County Ground in the Vitality Blast.
