Pre-Season T20s: Central Sparks v Western Storm
THE MATCHES
Western Storm take on Central Sparks in two pre-season T20 matches at Edgbaston Community Sports Ground, Birmingham today(Saturday April 30th).
The first match will begin at 10:30am with the second game scheduled to get underway at 2:30pm.
MATCH ONE
Western Storm eased to an eight wicket victory in the first of these two pre-season T20 matches.
Storm skipper, Sophie Luff won the toss and elected to bowl first.
Claire Nicholas made an instant breakthrough when she bowled Evelyn Jones with the opening ball of the match. Thea Brookes was then run out by Luff to leave the hosts on 23 for two. That soon became 38 for three and then 48 for four as Alex Griffiths and Lauren Filer picked up wickets.
Davina Perrin was caught and bowled by Fi Morris for 10, and when Emily Edgcombe bowled Abbey Freeborn Central Sparks were 95 for six.
Sarah Glenn (21*) and Emily Arlott (9*) ensured that Sparks finished on 121 for six from their 20 overs.
Western Storm’s reply started in strong fashion with Morris and Georgia Hennessey putting on 54 for the opening wicket. Hennessey was the batter to fall, stumped when on 31. Morris was then joined by Luff and the pair took the score to 77 before the opener was caught by Brookes of the bowling of Arlott for 30.
Luff (23*) and Fran Wilson (28*) then took Storm over the line with five balls to spare.
MATCH TWO
TEAM NEWS
Western Storm have named the following squad for the two matches: Sophie Luff (c), Fi Morris, Georgia Hennessy, Nat Wraith, Alex Griffiths, Fran Wilson, Emily Edgcombe, Lauren Parfitt, Lauren Filer, Claire Nicholas, Sophia Smale, Niamh Holland, Bethan Gammon, Mollie Robbins and Katie George.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the fixtures, Western Storm Captain, Sophie Luff said: “It’s good to be able to have the opportunity to take on a quality side ahead of the start of the season. Sparks are in our group in the Charlotte Edwards Cup this year, so it will be good to see how we shape up against them this weekend.
“Our trip to Desert Springs gave us the opportunity to experiment with a few things from a strategy perspective, and these pre-season games will really give us the chance to take that to the next level. It gives us the chance to get into that competitive game mode and gives people the opportunity to get into form ahead of the season and fight for a place in the team.
“We’re taking a squad of 15 to Birmingham, so people really do have the opportunity to put their hand up and get themselves into the squad for the first game of the season.”
NEXT MATCH
Western Storm take on Southern Vipers in two pre-season T20 matches at Newport CC on Friday May 6th.
