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2023 CEC Preview: Western Storm v Thunder
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Thunder in the Charlotte Edwards Cup at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton tomorrow (Sunday May 21st).
You can keep up to date with all the live action here:
This 20-over match will get underway at 2:30pm.
Tickets for this match are still available.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date via the Western Storm website.
In addition to this, a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted on this website.
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides have met on two occasions in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, with Western Storm coming out on top both times.
The first match between the two sides took place in Chester in July 2021 with Storm claiming a bonus point nine wicket win (D/L method).
Thunder won the toss and elected to bat but two wickets apiece for Fi Morris, Dani Gibson and Lauren Parfitt restricted the hosts to 110 for eight from their 20 overs.
Poor weather meant that Storm were chasing a revised total of 33 from five overs, which was reached with ease with 11 balls to spare.
The two teams met again later that season at Sophia Gardens with Storm again coming out on top, this time by seven wickets.
Sophie Luff won the toss and elected to invite Thunder to have a bat.
Nicole Harvey was the pick of the bowlers, claiming three for 13 as Thunder were limited to 100 for nine.
Storm slipped to 34 for three but 47 not out from Katie George saw her side over the line with 14 balls remaining.
TEAM NEWS
A starting XI will be named from the following players: Sophie Luff (c), Danielle Gibson, Orla Prendergast, Heather Knight, Emma Corney, Fran Wilson, Claire Nicholas, Nat Wraith, Alex Griffiths, Nicole Harvey, Lauren Filer, Mollie Robbins, Chloe Skelton, Sophia Smale, Niamh Holland, Izzy Patel, Katie Jones, Isla Thomson, and Rebecca Odgers.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match, Western Storm Head Coach, Trevor Griffin said: “It think we were still in the game last night right up to the 15th over. It was an incredible game and definitely a great one for the neutral.
“We just didn’t quite adapt quickly enough to the challenges that we faced. I felt like we showed that there is depth to our batting, and the energy levels in the field were really good. You can’t take anything from Northern Diamonds. Lauren Winfield-Hill and Holly Armitage played some quality shots and that’s T20 cricket. It can be brutal at times.
“The girls can’t wait to get back out there and bounce back. Hopefully, we can take the learnings from last night and get a win on the board at the Cooper Associates County Ground. We love playing at Taunton because the support that we always get there is amazing.”
THE OPPOSITION
Thunder
Captain: Ellie Threlkeld
Overseas player: Deandra Dottin (West Indies)
2022 finish: Third (Group B)
2022 leading runscorer: Emma Lamb (191)
2022 leading wicket taker: Hannah Jones (9)
Key winter moves: Six players have joined Thunder for 2023, including three on full-time contracts; all-rounders Naomi Dattani and Fi Morris and seamer Tara Norris, who won this competition with Vipers last year. Steph Butler and Hannah Rainey have added depth to the squad but are yet to debut. Former West Indies star all-rounder Deandra Dottin has returned as overseas.
Player to watch: A nickname of the World Boss indicates you have to keep an eye on Dottin. A canny seamer and an exhilarating batter, she has to perform if the Thunder are to challenge. Bajan Dottin scored the first-ever women’s T20 international century when she crashed 112 off 45 balls at the 2010 World Cup for West Indies v South Africa.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
If you are attending the match please visit the Official Somerset Website for further matchday information.
Gates will open at 1:30pm.
Ticket buyers can print and download their online tickets via their SCCC account.
All ticket or Membership collections will be from the Jack White Gates (St James Street).
Seating will be available in the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion, The Ondaatje Stands, Gimblett’s Hill and sections of the Somerset Stand.
The Club Enquiries Desk will be based in the Reception of the Marcus Trescothick Pavilion and not in the Andrew Caddick Pavilion on matchdays.
Matchday food and drink will be available from Stragglers Coffee House
Due to the busy nature of a matchday, our telephone lines will closed for the duration of the game.
Information on everything that you will need for a matchday at SCCC, including how to redeem your guest passes, how to download your e-tickets and how to use the SCCC Ticket App can all be found in our FAQ section at the foot of our Membership page:
NEXT MATCH
Western Storm’s next match is on Friday May 26th when we take on Southern Vipers in the Charlotte Edwards Cup at The Ageas Bowl.
