Central Sparks and Northern Diamonds are slated to go head-to-head in match no. 24 of the ongoing 4th edition of the Charlotte Edwards (CE) Cup on the 8th of June 2024. The game will be played at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, and live action commences at 4:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Central Sparks – Eve Jones, Emily Arlott, Chloe Brewer, Hannah Baker, Ami Campbell, Georgia Davis, Bethan Ellis, Abbey Freeborn, Ria Fackrell, Katie George, Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Grace Potts, Courtney Webb
Northern Diamonds – Leah Dobson, Rebecca Duckworth, Sterre Kalis, Emma Marlow, Erin Burns, Hollie Armitage, Jessica Woolston, Bess Heath, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Abigail Glen, Beth Langston, Grace Hall, Katherine Fraser, Katie Levick, Lizzie Scott, Phoebe Turner, Rachel Slater, Sophia Turner
Players to watch out:
Courtney Webb
The 24-year-old Australian middle-order batter in the 2023 Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), the premier T20 competition, accumulated 158 runs from 12 innings. In the ’24 English domestic season, while Courtney didn’t score many runs in the One Dayers, her scores in the CE Cup read 27*, 15*, 2, 9, and 19. She has chipped in with valuable runs and can be relied upon for big knocks.
Emily Arlott
The 26-year-old pacer, from 3 CE Cup games last summer, picked up 6 wickets and added 57 runs to the tally. Emily has further impressed this CE Cup season, being consistent and economical with the ball, returning figures of 2/23, 0/22, 2/10, 2/38, and 2/23, while also chipping in with the bat, recording scores of 28 and 12 in her previous couple of outings. She can be counted on for the goods.
Lauren Winfield-Hill
The 33-year-old keeper-batter, in the 2023 CE Cup season, accumulated 171 runs from 7 games at a strike rate of 123.02. Not at her consistent best, but Lauren has been amongst the runs this season. Building on her notable One Day season, she has registered scores of 2, 38, 5, 30, and 26 in the CE Cup games. It will be expected of the seasoned batter to convert her starts, leading the scoring.
Hollie Armitage
The 26-year-old all-rounder amassed 216 runs from 7 CE Cup games last edition. Hollie has had a quiet start to the ’24 season thus far, and a couple of CE Cup innings apart, she has managed scores of 28 and 39, and it is hoped she makes the most of this return to form. She has also taken 5 wickets in her previous couple of bowling innings and can be relied upon for all-round efforts.
Pitch:
The Edgbaston Cricket Ground features a well-balanced center wicket that’s favorable for both batters and bowlers, especially the pacers, to make an impact on the game. The average score in the 140s indicates favorable conditions for scoring runs as well.
Weather:
The conditions are pleasant for cricket, with partly cloudy skies overhead and minimal chances of rain. The temperature is expected to hover around 14°C with light winds and humidity at 61%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Lauren Winfield-Hill, Abbey Freeborn, Davina Perrin, Eve Jones, Erin Burns, Katie George, Hollie Armitage, Emily Arlott, Katie Levick, Georgia Davis, Grace Potts
Match details:
Date – June 8, 2024
Time – 4:00 PM IST
Venue – Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the regional team’s website and YouTube channel.