The next round of matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy are here with Sunrisers taking on the table-toppers Southern Vipers in one of the four clashes. In all likelihood, this is one of the most lopsided battles based on how the two teams have performed so far.
It's a clash between a team that is indomitable this year vs. a team that can't buy a win. Southern Vipers have won 9/9 games across CEC & RHF this year with their Academy also performing really well. Whereas, the Sunrisers have lost 9/9 games with nothing going their way.
Sunrisers will again be dependent on the likes of Grace Scrivens, Cordelia Griffith, & Mady Villiers to put their hand up. But Southern Vipers have had useful contributions from most of their players.
PROBABLE XIs:
Sunrisers: Grace Scrivens, Cordelia Griffith, Naomi Dattani, Mady Villiers, Amara Carr (wk), Jo Gardner, Kelly Castle (C), Mia Rogers, Alice Macleod, Abtaha Maqsood, Kate Coppack
Possible change: Alice Macleod for Jess Olorenshaw
Southern Vipers: Georgia Adams (C), Ella McCaughan, Georgia Elwiss, Chloe Hill (wk), Paige Scholfield, Emily Windsor, Nancy Harman, Charlie Dean, Tara Norris, Lauren Bell, Charlotte Taylor
Possible changes: 1) Charlie Dean for Carla Rudd (Chloe Hill to keep), 2) Lauren Bell for Alice Monaghan
VENUE: Ageas Bowl, Southampton
Southampton offers a good value for the sweet-timers of the ball along with something for the pacers as well. The spinners are generally costly but do find themselves amongst the wicket-takers. Considering the spin quality in the two teams, the ones who do not get predictable and have a few variations up their sleeve shall succeed.
PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR:
Grace Scrivens: Scrivens is progressing very quickly. She is creating a strong case as an aggressive LHB opener with fine strokeplay, and a very wily off-spinners with accurate arm-balls. Her all-round value is always the most important factor for Sunrisers' success.
Georgia Adams: The skipper can do no wrong. She delivers with the bat and fills in perfectly as a bowler to take crucial wickets. With Charlie Dean back and Charlotte Taylor delivering, Adams' role with the ball could reduce.
Nancy Harman: One of the smartest leg-spinners on the circuit coming through the Vipers' Academy. Talk about having variations up the sleeve and here's Harman with all the goods including quick off-breaks against batters who like to advance. She is also a very useful batter who adds crucial runs in the lower middle-order.
Charlie Dean: Dean is back & should make it to the XI straightaway. She is another one of those smart spinners who has got all the tricks. She'd be high on confidence after her impact in the ODI series against South Africa.