In the ongoing 2024 edition of the Charlotte Edwards (CE) Cup, match no. 20 will feature a showdown between Lancashire Thunder and The Blaze. The game will be held at Old Trafford, Manchester, on the 2nd of June, 2024, at 8:30 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Lancashire Thunder – Alice Clarke, Daisy Mullan, Danielle Collins, Katie Mack, Liberty Heap, Shachi Pai, Emma Lamb, Georgia Voll, Grace Johnson, Naomi Dattani, Olivia Bell, Ailsa Lister (WK), Eleanor Threlkeld (WK), Seren Smale (WK), Fi Morris, Hannah Jones, Kate Cross, Laura Jackson, Mahika Gaur, Phoebe Graham, Sophie Ecclestone, Sophie Morris, Tara Norris
The Blaze – Bethan Gammon, Bethany Harmer, Georgie Boyce, Marie Kelly, Michaela Kirk, Tammy Beaumont, Kathryn Bryce, Kirstie Gordon, Nadine de Klerk, Teresa Graves, Ella Claridge, Sarah Bryce, Cassidy McCarthy, Grace Ballinger, Josie Groves, Lucy Higham, Sarah Glenn
Players to watch out:
Ailsa Lister
The 20-year-old keeper-batter, from 28 T20I innings, has accumulated 470 runs, including the highest of 68*. Ailsa was in good form ahead of the competition and carrying the momentum into the CE Cup, she has registered scores of 44 and 23. It’ll be expected of her to continue this form, leading the scoring.
Phoebe Graham
The 32-year-old pacer had a quiet start to her ’24 domestic season, scalping 4 wickets from 5 One Day matches. However, building on the momentum, she has found consistency, returning figures of 1/31, 1/32, 1/13, and 3/16 in the T20s. She’ll be backed to make the most of this form, maintaining it until the business end of the competition.
Tammy Beaumont
The 33-year-old opening batter, from 86 T20I innings, has amassed 1792 runs, including the highest of 116, at an average of 23.89 and a strike rate of 108.67. Tammy hasn’t scored many runs this season, both in international and domestic cricket, but is a seasoned campaigner and can be banked upon for big runs.
Grace Ballinger
The 22-year-old left-arm pacer bagged 6 wickets from 8 CE Cup games last season, maintaining an economy rate of 7.50. Grace had an ordinary campaign in the One Day matches of the ongoing ’24 domestic season, but has performed well in the T20s, producing figures of 1/18, 0/17, 2/25, and 1/27. She’ll be counted on for breakthroughs.
Pitch:
The 22 yards at Old Trafford provide a somewhat neutral playing field, but the conditions are advantageous to batters over bowlers. Pacers, in particular, benefit from the conditions, and a score in the 160s can be deemed a competitive one on this wicket.
Weather:
With light winds, humidity at 68%, and the temperature expected to be around 16°C, the conditions are favorable for a complete game. Despite cloudy skies overhead, the chances of rain are minimal.
Fantasy playing XI:
Seren Smale, Ailsa Lister, Emma Lamb, Nadine de Klerk, Kirstie Gordon, Kathryn Bryce, Fi Morris, Tara Norris, Phoebe Graham, Grace Ballinger, Mahika Gaur
Match details:
Date – June 2, 2024
Time – 8:30 PM IST
Venue – Old Trafford, Manchester
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the regional team’s website and YouTube channel.