The newly-titled Charlotte Edwards Cup, the women’s regional T20, will begin on Saturday. Eight teams are split into two groups-
Group A (Central Sparks, Southern East Stars, Southern Vipers, Lightning)
Group B (Northern Diamonds, Thunder, Sunrisers, Western Storm)
Group B
Northern Diamonds
In the North Group, they are the hard-hit team because of the unavailability of their main players including Nat Sciver, Katherine Brunt among others. However, they do have in-form players in the form of Hollie Armitage and the experienced Jenny Gunn.
Players to watch out for: Leah Dobson could be the future star and is likely to make her debut soon. She recently smashed 161 from 81 deliveries in under-17s. Jenny Gunn, Hollie Armitage, Katie Levick and Sterre Kalis are more like mandatory choices here.
Full Squad:
Hollie Armitage, Katherine Brunt, Ami Campbell, Leah Dobson, Helen Fenby, Phoebe Graham, Jenny Gunn, Bess Heath, Rachel Hopkins, Sterre Kalis, Beth Langston, Katie Levick, Alex MacDonald, Nat Sciver, Rachel Slater, Linsey Smith, Ella Telford, Lauren Winfield-Hill
Sunrisers
The team didn’t do well in the RHF Trophy but the numbers do lie and the team is full of talent. In the recent practice matches, they had some honourable performances which could give them some motivation going into this tournament. The team do have a strong batting line-up but is a bit weak comparatively.
Players to watch out for: Naomi Dattani is in good form and has scored a fifty recently in the warm-up game. Cordelia Griffith and Grace Scrivens are in good touch too and will play the huge role in the batting order of the team. One should also watch out for Kelly Castle, Katie Wolfe.
Full Squad:
Hayley Brown, Cordelia Griffith, Fran Wilson, Kelly Castle, Naomi Dattani, Jo Gardner, Katie Midwood, Alice MacLeod, Grace Scrivens, Amara Carr, Scarlett Hughes, Mia Rogers, Gayatri Gole, Sonali Patel, Emily Thorpe, Mady Villiers, Katie Wolfe
Western Storm
In the absence of Heather Knight, this is an excellent opportunity for Sophie Luff to do well here. Last year, she was promoted up the order and that proved fruitful. In the practice matches, she was the only one from the current who had stood out with the bat. She had 167 runs with an average of 83.50.
Players to watch out for: Compared to last season, the team will miss out a lot of players and this has opened the door for emerging talents to make use of the opportunity. One such player who can make heads turn here is Danielle Gibson. She had 83 runs and 4 wickets in the practice matches recently. Niamh Holland and Mollie Robbins could impress a few as well.
Full Squad:
Sophie Luff, Lauren Parfitt, Heather Knight, Alex Griffiths, Georgia Hennessy, Emma Corney, Niamh Holland, Olivia Churcher, Abbie Whybrow, Nat Wraith, Claire Nicholas, Danielle Gibson, Anya Shrubsole, Fi Morris, Katie George, Emily Edgcombe, Steph Hutchins, Lauren Filer.
Thunder
Led by Alex Hartley, the team has a good bowling line-up. They can depend very well on Turner, Brown as well. When it comes to batting, Emma Lamb is in outstanding form and has scored a couple of T20 centuries this year. One of them came recently in the practice match and in one of the overs, she smashed four sixes. Undoubtedly, the star to watch out for here.
Players to watch out for: Apart from Lamb, Hannah Jones has made heads turn in recent matches and will have the opportunity to prove herself in the absence of Ecclestone.
Full Squad
Alex Hartley, Georgie Boyce, Natalie Brown, Alice Clarke, Daniella Collins, Kate Cross, Rebecca Duckworth, Alice Dyson, Sophie Ecclestone, Liberty Heap, Laura Jackson, Hannah Jones, Emma Lamb, Daisy Mullan, Olivia Thomas, Ellie Threlkeld, Sophia Turner
