The Central Sparks travel to Guildford to take on the South East Stars in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, in search of back-to-back wins for the second time this season.
The Sparks returned to action after a three-week absence by beating Thunder at New Road, and will look to strengthen their position in the RHFT table with a win on the road against the Stars.
OVERVIEW
Fixture: South East Stars v Central Sparks
Competition: Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
Date: Friday 7 July 2023
Game start: 10:30am
Venue: Guildford Cricket Club
Central Sparks
Lloyd Tennant has named a 13-player-squad for the trip down south, a side that consists of the same figures who were pivotal in the win over Thunder last time out.
Half-century hitting duo, Ami Campbell and Abbey Freeborn remain in the squad in hope of performing in similar vein to their Worcestershire heroics. Youngster Charis Pavely is also involved, after her cameo seeing her score (33) runs, sees her keep her place.
The Sparks returned to 50 overs action in the best way possible, playing out a real professional performance to dismantle a Thunder side who continue to struggle in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
Katie George was the pick of the bowlers for the Sparks last time out, picking up three wickets, with Bethan Ellis taking two. Sparks also have Grace Potts to make up the pace attack, with Georgia Davis, Erin Burns and Hannah Baker the spinners.
With three wins from six RHFT games thus far, Sparks will want to remain close to the top three spots as finals day of the competition looms. In the last outing against the Stars, Tennant’s side were beaten to end their T20 campaign, and with both sides going well in the 50 overs competition, Friday’s game is set to be a spectacle.
South East Stars
Like Sparks, the Stars have been going well in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. They have picked up wins against strong sides, sometimes even without their England stars.
In similar fashion, Friday’s hosts will have to go without the likes of Sophia Dunkley, Alice Davidson-Richards, and Alice Capsey again, who remain in the England set-up.
The Stars do have the competition’s top runs scorer in their ranks in Paige Schofield and will be looking to use her ability to help them along if she’s available for selection.
Head-to-Head
In recent games, the sides have shared the points, but so far this season, it was the Stars who came out on top in the Charlotte Edwards Cup at the Spitfire Ground, Canterbury.
Sparks will be hoping to turn their fortunes round when they travel to Guildford.
Player to watch
Paige Schofield, the top runs scorer in the RHFT so far in 2023 is the player to watch for the Sparks on Friday. Schofield’s batting has been paramount for the Stars this year and with the number four batter set to return from an England training camp, the Stars will be grateful of her services.
She wasn’t involved when the two sides last met, and a lot of the Stars’ runs came from captain Bryony Smith. Now, adding Schofield into the batting lineup, the hosts will have a clear plan of posting runs on the board with the batters they have in their armoury.
Ticketing Information
Admission for this game is free, with the game taking place at Guildford Cricket Club, in a 10:30am start.
Stadium address – Guildford Cricket Club, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP.
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