Central Sparks and Western Storm are slated to lock horns in the forthcoming match no. 37 of the 2024 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy (RHFT). The game will be played at County Ground, New Road, Worcester, on the 12th of July, 2024, at 3:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST).
Squads:
Central Sparks – Eve Jones (C), Davina Perrin, Georgia Davis, Chloe Brewer, Grace Potts, Bethan Ellis, Ria Fackrell, Ami Campbell, Ellie Anderson, Issy Wong, Em Arlott, Katie George, Abbey Freeborn, Poppy Davies, Charis Pavely, Amy Jones, Hannah Baker
Western Storm – Sophie Luff (C), Niamh Holland, Isla Thompson, Dani Gibson, Nicole Harvey, Imogen Cooper, Lola Harris, Chloe Skelton, Emma Corney, Isobel Patel, Alex Griffiths, Claire Nicholas, Heather Knight, Lauren Filer, Fran Wilson, Katie Jones, Sophia Smale, Mollie Robbins, Nat Wraith, Robecca Rodgers, Amanda-Jade Wellington*
Players to watch out:
Abbey Freeborn
The 27-year-old keeper-batter, from 8 outings in the 2024 RHFT, has accumulated 236 runs and registered a highest score of 93. Abbey had a decent showing in the 1st leg RHFT fixtures and, following a quiet T20 season, in her previous two One Dayers she departed cheaply for scores of 19 and 6. She has managed a string of starts in her recent outings and it will be expected that she capitalizes on these starts.
Hannah Baker
The 20-year-old leg-spinner, maintaining an economy rate of 4.77, has scalped 12 wickets from 8 RHFT outings this season and registered a best of 5/45. Hannah had a successful first-leg RHFT stint and, continuing on the momentum, had an impressive T20 season. Resuming her RHFT stint from where she left off, she returned figures of 1/49 and 0/24 in her previous outings, and can be counted on for breakthroughs.
Nat Wraith
The 22-year-old keeper-batter, from 9 outings in the ongoing edition of the RHFT games, has amassed 333 runs, including a highest score of 73, averaging a healthy 41.63. Despite a successful 1st leg RHFT season, Nat struggled for runs in the T20s. However, come the RHFT fixtures, she has managed starts of 31, 34, and 20. She can be relied upon to convert her starts into substantial scores, building on this momentum.
Sophia Smale
The 19-year-old left-arm off-spinner, from 9 outings in the 2024 RHFT season, has added 162 runs to the tally and bagged 11 wickets, registering bests of 35 and 3/42. Sophia has been in excellent form this domestic season, both in the 1st leg RHFT fixtures and the T20 season, and now in her recent outings has registered figures of 0/20, 1/32, and 0/44, alongside scores of 10, 8, and 32. She will be banked upon for the goods.
Pitch:
The center wicket at Worcester County Ground provides a somewhat neutral playing field as the conditions favor both batters and bowlers. Spinners, in particular, benefit from the conditions, and the average score at the venue is in the 210s.
Weather:
It will be a pleasant day for cricket at Worcester, with the temperature expected to hover around 18°C, light winds, and humidity at 68%. With a clear forecast, we are in for a complete game of cricket.
Fantasy playing XI:
Abbey Freeborn, Nat Wraith, Sophie Luff, Fran Wilson, Davina Perrin, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Katie George, Sophia Smale, Georgia Davis, Hannah Baker, Grace Potts
Match details:
Date – July 12, 2024
Time – 3:00 PM IST
Venue – County Ground, New Road, Worcester
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on the regional team’s website and YouTube channel.