In the forthcoming round 2 fixtures of the ongoing 05 edition of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy (RHFT), The Blaze and South East Stars are slated to go head-to-head in match no. 8 on the 24th of April, 2024. The game will be played at Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester, and live action commences at 3:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
The Blaze – Kirstie Gordon (C), Ella Claridge, Marie Kelly, Sarah Bryce, Beth Harmer, Josie Groves, Sarah Glenn, Grace Ballinger, Teresa Graves, Sophie Munro, Lucy Higham, Tammy Beaumont, Scarlett Hughes, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Michael Kirk, Georgie Boyce, Cassidy McCarthy, Kathryn Bryce, Nadine de Klerk*
South East Stars – Bryony Smith (C), Chloe Hill, Claudie Cooper, Kira Chathli, Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones, Emma Jones, Priyanaz Chatterji, Sophia Dunkley, Aylish Cranstone, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Alice Capsey, Alice Davidson-Richards, Tash Farrant, Phoebe Franklin, Bethan Miles, Paige Scholfield, Kirstie White, Charlotte Lambert, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Alexa Stonehouse, Jemima Spence, Dani Gregory, Kalea Moore
Players to watch out:
Georgie Boyce
The 25-year-old top-order batter, from 13 RHFT innings in the 2023 edition, accumulated 253 runs, including the highest of 104 that came late in the season. Georgie is a promising talent and will be backed to convert her starts and find consistency, contributing significantly to the scoring.
Sophie Munro
The 22-year-old all-rounder in the 2023 RHFT competition, from 9 innings chipped in scoring 183 runs and claimed 8 wickets from 6 innings, including respective bests of 41 and 3/35. Sophie has grown in her role over the past couple of seasons and can be relied upon for all-round performances.
Kira Chathli
The 24-year-old keeper-batter amassed 280 runs from 14 RHFT innings last summer and registered the highest of 71. Kira managed a couple of good scores, including a 61 late in the season. It’ll be hoped that she consistently chips in with the bat and also converts her starts, leading the runs tally.
Alexa Stonehouse
The 19-year-old left-arm pacer produced 9 wickets from 12 RHFT appearances in the ’23 season, while also adding 179 runs to the tally from 10 innings. Alexa, in a U-19 series, displayed fine form in the lead-up to the competition and can be banked upon to deliver the goods, both with the bat and ball.
Pitch:
The Uptonsteel County Ground offers a good batting deck with an average score in the 270s. However, the wicket poses a challenge for batters throughout the game due to its lively nature, especially against pacers.
Weather:
With partly cloudy skies and the temperature hovering around 9°C, the conditions are overcast, yet ideal for cricket in Leicester. Expect light winds and a humidity level of 62%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Kira Chathli, Sophia Dunkley, Georgie Boyce, Paige Scholfield, Alice Capsey, Alice Davidson-Richards, Nadine de Klerk, Tash Farrant, Sophie Munro, Kirstie Gordon, Alexa Stonehouse
Match details:
Date – April 24, 2024
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the regional team’s website and YouTube channel.