Recently returned from ‘England A’ tour of New Zealand, Ryana MacDonald-Gay (pictured) chalked up a 5-fer and one catch that helped Stars to back-to-back victories against Blaze at fifty overs. Previously (on 10 September 2023) Alice Davidson-Richards scored a century against Blaze, on the same day as she’d been called-up by England to play Sri Lanka. Witnessing Blaze’s batting collapse including 3 ducks, skipper Kirstie Gordon faced a nightmare innings scoring shy of ‘fifty;’ with last-wicket support from bowler-turned-batter Grace Ballinger. Only three Blaze batters made it to double-figures. Stars batters hit their winning target by a comfortable margin before the customary mid-way pause for drinks was reached.

Blaze’s Innings *Skipper Kirstie Gordon, Sophie Munro (England A), Beth Harmer (England u-19s) *With Michaela Kirk & Nadine deKlerk ‘just flown-in’ (from Rep. South Africa) *Daisy Mullan (on 5-match loan from Thunder) *Without Kathryn & Sarah Bryce (Scotland call-up); *Fielded a ‘youthful’ team (explained by injuries & call-up.) [*Chloe Hill keeping wicket for Stars; Kira Chathli recovering] *During the first 5 overs of power-play, Ryana MacDonald-Gay took 3 wickets. *Marie Kelly (golden duck) was bowled from an inside-edge; *Sophie Munro was bowled middle-and-off; & Ella Claridge was bowled middle-stump. *During the 6th over Phoebe Franklin claimed two wickets; *Nadine deKlerk edged to the keeper (0); *Also Sarah Glenn (0) who was caught at 2nd slip by Alice Davidson-Richards. *Blaze lost their 6th wicket during the power-play when Daisy Mullan went ‘leg before’ to Ryana MacDonald-Gay. *After 10 overs power-play Blaze were 27/6; *Ryana MacDonald-Gay completed her 5-fer: after Teresa Graves was clean-bowled. *Ryana MacDonald-Gay also took a catch in the covers to dismiss Beth Harmer, from Alice Davidson-Richards. *Next over by Alice Davidson-Richards sent Cassidy McCarthy’s bails flying. *By mid-way 67/9; *Bowlers-turned-batters Grace Ballinger and Kirstie Gordon mounted a spirited last-wicket partnership; *Finally, Grace Ballinger went ‘leg-before’ to Bryony Smith. *Blaze’s batting 3 ducks & three batters made double figures: Kirstie Gordon 41*not out(86), Grace Ballinger 25(75), Teresa Graves 15(34); *Stars bowling Ryana MacDonald-Gay 5/31 was the only bowler to bowl her full quota (ten overs); *Alice Davidson-Richards 2/22 (7 overs); *Phoebe Franklin 2/27 (9 overs); *Bryony Smith 1/3 (2 overs) with best economy;

*Stars Innings skipper Bryony Smith, with Ryana MacDonald-Gay & Paige Scholfield (England ‘A’) *Also with Sophia Dunkley, Alice-Davidson-Richards & Tash Farrant (England returner) [Ella Claridge keeping wicket for Blaze in Sarah Bryce’s absence] *Stars power-play was without loss, scoring 48/0 (vs 27/6.) *Bryony Smith 34(33) was caught by Sarah Glenn from Nadine deKlerk. *Paige Scholfield 6(8) was bowled middle-and-leg by Kirstie Gordon. *Stars’ batting *As mentioned above, Stars hit their winning target within 25 overs. *Tash Farrant 68*not out(81), Bryony Smith 34(33), Sophia Dunkley 11*not out(20) *Blaze’s bowling Kirstie Gordon 1/29; Nadine deKlerk 1/31;

Match result: South East Stars 127/2 (23.3/50 overs, target 127 @5.4 runs-per-over) beat The Blaze 126 (42/50 overs 3 rpo) by eight wickets with 159 balls remaining

*Scorecard courtesy of ECB @URL https://www.ecb.co.uk/rachael-heyhoe-flint-trophy/match-centre/104426#scorecard & https://www.southeaststars.com/matches/the-blaze-rhft-24th-apr-2024/

*Video highlights <top-right highlights tab>x40 via ECB & courtesy of South East Stars (via NV Play) @URL https://www.southeaststars.com/matches/the-blaze-rhft-24th-apr-2024/

*Video highlights of Stars batting free-to-air courtesy of Trent Bridge TV via ‘YouTube’ <1h06m46s> @URL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zixDKaJNIXc

Vipers were expecting to play a one-sided match. Sunrisers put in an ‘impressive performance,’ with Scotland’s Abtaha Maqsood spin taking her first competition 5-fer (5/30.) Commentators complimented Sunrisers who had ‘most aspects right.’ They won by a ‘massive 126-run margin’; whereas Vipers’ fielding was said to be ‘disappointing.’ Commentators Melissa Story (BBC Radio Solent) and Phil Green (Hursley Park); with guest Emily Windsor (Vipers) added that Sunrisers started the match ‘not having won a game in three years’ but an ‘ex-Scotland’ coach had evidently made a difference. Also broadcast via Radio Solent and ECB online (NV Play.) Weather at The Ageas Bowl was described as ‘nippy,’ but ‘no rain (reported) on the (weather) Radar.’

Sunrisers innings Skipper Kelly Castle. Between seasons, Grace Scrivens skippered England’s U-19’s. *Signed from ‘Stars,’All-rounder Eva Gray was keen to make an impression. *After 10 overs power-play, Sunrisers made 42/1, reaching 130/2 by 30 overs. *Right-and-left handers Grace Scrivens [67 runs (from 80 balls)] and Jodie Grewcock’s 2^nd wicket partnership put on 93-runs. *Similarly, between left-and-right handers, Jodie Grewcock 69 (110) and Mady Villiers 70(53), 3^rd wicket partnership added 117-runs. *Mis-fields allowed Mady Villiers 70(53), to make top-score, having been dropped twice on single-figures. *Mady Villiers lofted a ‘four’ over the bowler’s head to chalk-up Sunrisers’ 200 from 40 overs. *Another 32 runs came from the last three overs with a short-lived cameo from Eva Gray 25(14.) *Eva Gray scored the only ‘six’ of the innings from a ‘no ball.’ *Facing one ball, skipper Kelly Castle (2) found she had little to do.

Vipers innings Skipper Georgia Adams. Rhianna Southby was signed from ‘Stars,’ keeping wicket in place of Carla Rudd. *Rudd was said to have been a ‘vital part’ of Vipers’ success. *Between seasons, spinner Lynsey Smith was signed from Diamonds. *After 10 overs power-play Vipers made 53/1 (vs 42/1) and seemed comfortably ahead. *England’s Maia Bouchier 57(48) was top scorer, hitting ‘fifty’ in 39 balls including ten ‘fours.’ *Disaster struck when skipper Adams was caught at ‘mid-on’ by Mady Villiers for an 8^th ball duck (111/5); handing Abtaha Maqsood her second wicket. *Bowling the 25^th over, Mady Villiers was on a hat-trick, clean-bowling England’s Charlie Dean and also Rhianna Southby for a second ball duck. *Sunrisers seemed assured of victory by a wide margin. *Scotland’s Abtaha Maqsood took Vipers last three wickets to complete her first competition 5-fer (5/30.)

Match summary Sunrisers left-and-right hand batting combinations contributed more than 200 runs toward their match-winning score on a near-perfect pitch. Mady Villiers made top-score (70.) Vipers reply started confidently after ten overs power-play (53/1 vs 42/1.) As the match unfolded, commentators spoke in disbelief as Vipers lost eight wickets to Sunrisers’ spin. Commentators complemented Sunrisers who had ‘most aspects right.’ They won by a ‘massive 126-run margin’; whereas Vipers’ fielding was said to be ‘disappointing when put under pressure’ on a perfect pitch.

Result: Sunrisers Women 288/7 beat Southern Vipers Women 166 by 126 runs with 88 balls remaining

Sunrisers batting: 288/7 (50 overs @5.76 runs-per-over)

Mady Villiers 70(53), Jodie Grewcock 69(110), Grace Scrivens 67(80), Eva Gray 25(14), Saskia Horley 13(13), Joanne Gardner 10 (12);

Vipers bowling:  Lynsey Smith 3/50, Charlie Dean 1/54, Mary Taylor 1/77;

Fow 1-10, 2-103, 3-220, 4-226, 5-240, 6-254, 7-286.

Vipers batting: 166/10 (35.2/50 overs, target 289 from 50 overs)

Maia Bouchier 57(48), Danni Wyatt 24(25), Alice Monaghan 24(35), Lynsey Smith 14(21), Georgia Elwiss 12(22)

Sunrisers bowling: Abtaha Maqsood 5/30, Mady Villiers 3/52, Kate Coppack 1/24, Eva Gray 1/28;

Fow 1-14, 2-72, 3-106, 4-107, 5-111, 6-119, 7-119, 8-145, 9-159, 10-162.

Scorecard with Video-highlights, courtesy of ECB via NV-Play on YouTube at URL: https://live.nvplay.com/ecb/#mf93a0ff5-c1b1-42cf-935b-305ba5ac1765_~scorecard

Match free-to-air (starting from 12m15s/05h42m36s) courtesy of Hampshire Cricket on YouTube at URL:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1BqI5WbB_w

Latest English Cricket Board tables at URL: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/rachael-heyhoe-flint/tables

*Arundel, at the Castle Cricket Ground (Sussex)

• Saturday, July 22 *time tbc: Southern Vipers W vs Northern Diamonds W – match 36
• Wednesday, September 13 *time tbc: Southern Vipers W vs South East Stars W – match 49

*Beckenham, at The County Ground (Kent)

• Saturday, April 29 *time tbc: South East Stars W vs Southern Vipers W – match 8
• Sunday, July 2 *time tbc: South East Stars W vs Northern Diamonds W – match 24
• Tuesday, July 11 *time tbc: South East Stars W vs Sunrisers W – match 29
• Saturday, July 22 *time tbc: South East Stars W vs Western Storm W – match 39
• Sunday, September 10 *time tbc: South East Stars W vs The Blaze W – match 45

*Birmingham (West) at Edgbaston

• Saturday, September 16 *time tbc: Central Sparks W vs South East Stars W – match 53

*Birmingham (West) at Edgbaston Foundation Community Ground

• Tuesday, September 5 *time tbc: Central Sparks W vs The Blaze W – match 42

*Birmingham (South: Shirley & Moseley), at Moseley Cricket Club

• Tuesday, July 11 *time tbc: Central Sparks W vs Western Storm W – match 28

*Brighton & Hove, The 1st Central County Ground, Hove

• Saturday, May 6 *time tbc: Southern Vipers W vs Western Storm W – match 16
• Wednesday, May 10 *time tbc: Southern Vipers W vs Central Sparks W – match 19

*Bristol, The Seat Unique Stadium

• Monday, May 1 (Bank holiday) *time tbc: Western Storm W vs South East Stars W – match 12
• Sunday, July 2 *time tbc: Western Storm W vs The Blaze W – match 21

*Cardiff, at Sophia Gardens

• Saturday, April 29 *time tbc: Western Storm W vs Thunder W – match 6

*Chelmsford, at The Cloud County Ground (Essex)

• Saturday, April 29 *time tbc: Sunrisers W vs The Blaze W – match 7
• Monday, May 1 (Bank holiday) *time tbc: Sunrisers W vs Northern Diamonds  W – match 11
• Sunday, July 2 *time tbc: Sunrisers W vs Southern Vipers W – match 23
• Sunday, September 10 *time tbc: Sunrisers W vs  Central Sparks W – match 47

*Cheltenham, at The College Ground (Glos)

• Monday, July 24 *time tbc: Western Storm W vs Sunrisers W – match 40

*Chester-le-Street, Seat Unique Riverside (Co. Durham)

• Saturday, May 6 *time tbc: Northern Diamonds W vs The Blaze W – match 15
• Saturday, September 16 *time tbc: Northern Diamonds W vs Sunrisers W – match 56

*Chesterfield, at Queen’s Park

• Friday, July 7 *time tbc: The Blaze W vs Northern Diamonds W   – match 25

*Guildford, at Woodbridge Road (Surrey)

• Friday, July 7 *time tbc: South East Stars W vs Central Sparks W – match 26
• Tuesday, September 5 *time tbc: South East Stars W vs Thunder W – match 41

*Leeds, at Headingley Stadium

• Saturday, April 22 *time tbc: Northern Diamonds W vs Western Storm W – match 3
• Saturday, July 15 *time tbc: Northern Diamonds W vs Central Sparks W – match 32

*Leicester, at The Uptonsteel County Ground

• Wednesday, May 10 *time tbc: The Blaze W vs Western Storm W – match 20

Loughborough, Haselgrave

• Saturday, September 16 *time tbc: The Blaze W vs –  Southern Vipers W – match 55

*Manchester, at Emirates Old Trafford

• Saturday, April 22 *time tbc: Thunder W vs South East Stars W – match 2
• Saturday, May 6 *time tbc: Thunder W vs Central Sparks W – match 14
• Saturday, September 16 *time tbc: Thunder W vs Western Storm W – match 54

*Mansfield at The John Fretwell Sporting Complex Nettleworth (Notts)

• Monday, May 1 (Bank holiday)*time tbc: The Blaze W vs Thunder W – match 9
• Wednesday, September 13 *time tbc: The Blaze W vs Sunrisers W – match 51

*Newport, Isle of Wight at Newclose County Cricket Ground

• Tuesday, July 11 *time tbc: Southern Vipers W vs Blaze W – match 30

*Northampton, at The County Ground

• Saturday, July 15 *time tbc: Sunrisers W vs Thunder W – match 34
• Sunday, September 24 *time tbc: Women’s Final – match 58

*Nottingham, at Trent Bridge

• Saturday, April 22 *time tbc: The Blaze W vs Central Sparks W – match 4

*Radlett Cricket Club at Cobden Hill (Herts)

• Friday, May 5 *time tbc: Sunrisers W vs South East Stars W – match 13
• Tuesday, September 5 *time tbc: Sunrisers W vs Western Storm W – match 43

*Sale Cricket Club at Rookwood (Lancs)

• Wednesday, May 10 *time tbc: Thunder W vs Sunrisers W – match 17
• Wednesday, September 13 *time tbc: Thunder W vs  Northern Diamonds W – match 50

*Scarborough, at North Marine Road Ground

• Wednesday, May 10 *time tbc: Northern Diamonds W vs South East Stars W – match 18

*Sedbergh, at Sedbergh School (Cumbria)

• Saturday, July 22 *time tbc: Thunder W vs The Blaze W – match 38

*Southampton, at The Ageas Bowl

• Saturday, April 22 *time tbc: Southern Vipers W vs Sunrisers W – match 1

*Southport, at the Trafalgar Road Ground (Lancs)

• Friday, July 7 *time tbc: Thunder W vs Southern Vipers W – match 27

*Taunton, at Cooper Associates County Ground (Somerset)

• Sunday, September 10 *time tbc: Western Storm W vs Northern Diamonds W – match 48
• Wednesday, September 13 *time tbc: Western Storm W vs Central Sparks W – match 52

*Worcester, at New Road

• Saturday, April 29 *time tbc: Central Sparks W vs Northern Diamonds W – match 5 RHF
• Sunday, July 2  *time tbc: Central Sparks W vs Thunder W – match 22
• Saturday, July 22 *time tbc: Central Sparks W vs  Sunrisers W – match 37

*Wormsley, Cricket Ground at Sir Paul Getty’s Estate (Bucks)

• Monday, May 1 (Bank holiday) *time tbc: Central Sparks W vs Southern Vipers W – match 10

*Venue(s) yet to be decided

• Tuesday, July 11 *time tbc: Northern Diamonds  W vs Thunder W – match 31
• Saturday, July 15 *time tbc: Western Storm W vs Southern Vipers  W – match 33
• Saturday, July 15 *time tbc: The Blaze W vs South East Stars W – match 35 RHF
• Tuesday, September 5 *time tbc: Northern Diamonds W vs Southern Vipers W – match 44
• Sunday, September 10 *time tbc: Southern Vipers W vs Thunder W – match 46
• Thursday, September 21 *time tbc: Women’s Play-off (Eliminator)– match 5

Latest match information and times (once confirmed) at URL: https://www.ecb.co.uk/matches/rachael-heyhoe-flint/fixtures

*Northern Diamonds are defending champions (2022.) First year for The Blaze, formerly known as Lightning.

Source: ECB

Vipers were the out-and-out winners last summer with skipper Georgia Adams leading the batting stakes with some 500 runs. But form is an unreliable friend, and other franchises have the talent to upset their chances of a repeat.

Let’s hope Lisa Keightley reacts to performances in this valuable competition. Last year it was a case of ‘as you were’; she stuck to the tried and tested when it came to picking her England teams. Now highly promising players varying in experience from Adams and Sophie Luff – both in their late twenties – to young hopefuls like Issy Wong (who went with the England squad to New Zealand), Lauren Bell, Bess Heath and Grace Scrivens, to name but four.

Fixtures

After these opening rounds two more follow on consecutive Saturdays, then there is a break till September while shorter forms of the game take over.

Saturday 29 May

Northern Diamonds v Central Sparks, Headingley
Southern Vipers v Lightning, Southampton
Sunrisers v South East Stars, Chelmsford
Western Storm v Thunder, Bristol

Monday 31 May

Lightning v Northern Diamonds, Kibworth CC, Kibworth
Central Sparks v Western Storm, Edgbaston
South East Stars v Southern Vipers, Beckenham
Thunder v Sunrisers, Boughton Hall CC, Chester

All start at 10.30

Here are a few thoughts on the way the first eight matches panned out.

‘I’m a Professional’

This is the biggest gain of all. A large number of players have had their careers changed for the better by receiving retainers or contracts. They have a double effect: relieving pressure of lives lived on two fronts, earning a crust and playing cricket; and giving the recipients the reassurance that the talents are being recognised.

Identity

Splitting the country into eight regional hubs was a necessary step towards building a stronger pathway from beginners to elite. The final distribution of players has brought some surprises.

Eve Jones, the Lancashire captain in the Kia Super League, has moved down to Birmingham and finds herself captain of the Central Sparks. Have Sparks got an unfair advantage in boasting both an Arlott and a Boycott on their strength? Who would have imagined both Jenny Gunn and Linsey Smith turning out against Lightning for Northern Diamonds? Nat Sciver has joined the Diamonds, no doubt for family reasons. Susie Rowe’s return to arms after a lengthy break is a big plus for Stars as well as Kent. Tammy Beaumont was sent north to Loughborough, her alma mater, to join Lightning.

One of the weaknesses of the KSL was the authority’s inability to construct six franchises of similar strength. Under the present system two new groupings had to be built. They have become Central Sparks, based in Birmingham, and Sunrisers from Chelmsford. At first glance the Easterners looked vulnerable, and so it has proved thus far. They did well to top 200 in both rounds, but couldn’t hold the opposition when in the field. Their chance comes in the next rounds as they lose few players to the England squad. It was important for the competition that Vipers proved the mighty Storm were beatable.

The most experienced members of the eight franchises will earn their corn from now on. They include such leading figures as Georgia Adams, Tash Farrant and Fi Morris, but the younger generation have the chance to really show their mettle.

The Top Billings

England’s star players won’t be seen again till the final stages. It’s unwelcome news for Diamonds, for whom Brunt and Sciver have produced the all-important figures, plus an array of England bowlers waiting their turn. Likewise Storm will have to prove they can mount big scores without the England skipper showing the way. Anya Shrubsole made a welcome return from serious injury for one match, but her analysis (9-1-31-0) reminds the young pretenders, Issy Wong and Lauren Bell, that they must seize their chance. Wong demolished Sparks’ top order, finishing with 3-26.

The Lack of young Batters

Batting coaches will be delighted to see nine totals over 200, topped by Stars’ 289. But most of them came from well-known sources, Nat Sciver leading the way with the sole century (104), then Sophia Dunkley 97, Lauren Winfield 72, Danni Wyatt 66 and 53 and Tammy Beaumont 52 – and less predictable but very welcome: Mady Villiers 64, Sophie Ecclestone 60* and Kate Cross 45.

The biggest worry remains the lack of top-quality batting among the younger generation. I pointed out last summer that every one of England’s first-choice batters date back at least to 2013. This was Lisa Keightley’s first batting order (1-8) after taking over from Mark Robinson: Amy Jones, Danni Wyatt, Nat Sciver, Heather Knight, Fran Wilson, Katherine Brunt, Tammy Beaumont and Lauren Winfield.

That is no recipe for progress.

Of the newer faces one to shine was the younger Bryce sister Sarah, who posted two confident fifties. She outpaced Beaumont against Diamonds at Chester-le-Street, the Kent pair putting on 117. Then the familiar pattern set in; Lightning’s run-rate dropped alarmingly as the later order could do little more than drop a bat on the ball.

Other major contributors from outside the pale included Amara Carr (aged 26) with a splendid 99 and Marie Kelly (aged 24) with 59. How the selectors must wish for a teenager to step up and knock a cool hundred. Memories of Sarah Taylor.

Storm’s second round innings shows the problem: after a powerful stand of 130 by Heather Knight and Sophie Luff, the rest of the innings fell away. They lost the next 7 wickets for 31 runs. Stars showed how the job should be done. After Dunkley and Davidson-Richards put on 123 the experienced Rowe and Farrant added 76 more between them.

The white ball

The white kookaburra is a major culprit on the scene. What a pathetic example of the cricket ball it is. Little movement available from it, little grip, and they’re all identical, thanks to their machine production-line. They serve to make the batter’s job much easier, though it’s the bowlers who need the support.

Media Coverage

1. Variations in Livestream Offerings

Multiple cameras, individually manned
Adjustable remote-controlled cameras
Two fixed remote-controlled cameras
Commentary: either in sync with the action; or out of sync
No commentary

We all know which options we prefer.

2. Commentary

You have to wonder whether there is quality control over commentary on women’s cricket. You don’t expect to hear an experienced commentator and ex-County pro start with: ‘the Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy – that’s a mouthful!’ as if he’d hardly heard of Baroness Flint. Nor another one who added multiple ‘sort ofs’ to every sentence.
Some have clued themselves up excellently on biographies and background, so they can pick out players as they come and go. Others haven’t bothered.

With many games livestreamed without audio, it seems a crying shame when you have turn the sound down to avoid a third-rate performance.

3. Stats Cards

These can be very useful and revealing, but it would help if the bowling analyses were allowed longer on screen and if the occasional card didn’t blank the view of a new over starting.

Current Standings after 2 rounds:

North Group Points
Northern Diamonds 9
Thunder 4
Central Sparks 4
Lightning 0

South Group
Southern Vipers 9
South East Stars 5
Western Storm 5
Sunrisers 0

The ECB did very well to get women’s cricket going on a national scale with the newly minted Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. A 50-over tournament was wisely chosen.

The opening day of hostilities just happened to be almost exactly a year since the last final of the KSL at Hove.

The new pattern of women’s cricket was in operation. The eight squads competing represent geographical divisions of the country larger than the counties. England’s elite players have taken part in the first two rounds only. The main thrust of the operation is to take a close look at the talent coming up behind them. So each of what are essentially franchises included a small number of experienced international players to set an example to the rest.

The absence of overseas players was a total plus. Their presence in the Kia Super League of the past four years served to hold back the advance of home-grown youngsters. Once more use was made of a Bank Holiday weekend to reduce the inconvenience to amateur players.

Saturday 29 August Round One

Leading players took leading roles: Heather Knight looked a class apart as she calmly accumulated an unbeaten 91 to show the rest of the cast how to do the job. Lauren Winfield dominated Thunder’s decent total of 205-9 with an encouraging 73. Danni Wyatt hit a typically forthright 66 in an opening stand of 111 with Georgia Adams for Vipers.

But a much less predictable offering came from Sophie Ecclestone who, promoted to No 6, justified the move with an excellent 60*. After Thunder’s years of travail in the KSL it was good to see them pass 200 with contributions from Natalie Brown and Ellie Threlkeld. Then their bowlers, led by Kate Cross, held Lightning to a distant 146.

We shouldn’t be surprised to find Katherine Brunt showing the way on the bowling front. Her final figures of 5-20 against Sparks are ridiculously fine; the England selectors will be delighted to see her in her best form, but then they must worry about the next generation.

Of the candidates Lauren Bell looked marginally more impressive than Freya Davies. With her good action and pace she gets a deal of movement, mainly into the right-hander, but beat the outside of the bat as well. A number of left-arm seam bowlers were on view, led by Tash Farrant, captaining the Stars. Others include Katie George and Tara Norris who produced her best form in Round 2.

Ultimately, all personal performances must be set against the best the world has to offer, that is the Australians. One major black mark on the first day was the number of wides. They totalled an unlikely 123. Of course bowlers were being tested for the first time in many months, after being tied down by the pandemic. But even so…

Results

Central Sparks 144 lost to Northern Diamonds 145-1 by 9 wickets
Lightning 146 lost to Thunder 205-9 by 59 runs
South East Stars 166 lost to Western Storm 167-4 by six wickets
Sunrisers 202 lost to Southern Vipers 208-3 by seven wickets

Bank Holiday Monday 31 August Round Two

Vipers produced the major result of the day, defeating the leading squad of recent times, Storm, at Bristol. Once Heather Knight (67) and skipper Sophie Luff (60) were dismissed, it was left to Lauren Parfitt (33) and Claire Nicholas (22) to stop the rot. But Tara Norris took four wickets and captain Georgia Adams completed a fine day by adding three to her earlier score of 55.

Stars lost two wickets in the first over to Katie Wolfe of Sunrisers, but thereafter Sophia Dunkley and Alice Davidson-Richards took control with a fine partnership of 123. Dunkley must have impressed England selectors. She has added calm and judgement to her power and aggression. Only on the brink of a deserved century did she allow herself a careless wallop and was caught in the deep. Stars’ middle order kept up the pressure to help them reach the highest total thus far, 289-9. They have the advantage of the excellent square at Beckenham.

There was another heartbreaking dismissal in the same game, this time for Amara Carr for Sunrisers. She lifted a foot on 99 and was stumped by Rhianna Southby. Apart from that she deserves every credit. After leaving Devon for a contract with Middlesex, she was honoured with the captaincy of this new outfit, and kept wicket tidily into the bargain.

The only century thus far (104) went to a familiar figure, Nat Sciver, who now sports Diamonds’ colours. She held the fort as five of the other six top batters mustered 11 runs between them. Her hard work paid off. In the tensest game of the day Lightning couldn’t complete the job after the top three batters, Tammie Beaumont and the Bryce sisters, added 176 towards the total of 217-7.

It was a great day for the two Scots. Kathryn took a remarkable 5-29, then passed her younger sister’s 57 with 68*. Sarah outshone Beaumont in a threatening first-wicket stand of 117. But neither they nor the England opener could dominate the strongest bowling unit in the tournament: five England players (Brunt, Langston, Sciver, Gunn and Linsey Smith) plus Katie Levitt who has taken more wickets for Yorkshire that anyone.

Yes, Jenny Gunn and Smith weren’t with Lightning anymore, but I’ll leave the question of squad allocations to another day.

It will be fascinating to see how the competition develops once the contracted players leave the scene for Round 3.

Results

Northern Diamonds 226-9 beat Lightning 217-7 by 9 runs
Thunder 135 lost to Central Sparks 136-6 by 4 wickets
South East Stars 289-8 beat Sunrisers 212 by 77 runs
Western Storm 239 lost to Southern Vipers 261-7 by 22 runs

Individual Performances over Two Rounds

Batting

104  Nat Sciver
99   Amara Carr (stumped!)
97   Sophia Dunkley
91* Heather Knight
72 Lauren Winfield
71* Kathryn Bryce
67 Heather Knight
66 Danni Wyatt
64 Mady Villiers
61 Alice Davidson-Richards
60* Sophie Ecclestone
60* Charlie Dean
60 Sophie Luff

Bowling

Katherine Brunt 9-2-20-5
Kathryn Bryce 10-1-29-5
Georgia Hennessy 8.1-1-31-4
Sonali Patel 10-0-52-4
Tara Norris 8-0-45-4

Wides

First day: 123!
Second day: 110!

The Eight Squads (not all the England contracted players are listed here)

Central Sparks: Emily Arlott, Hannah Baker, Clare Boycott, Thea Brookes, Gwenan Davies, Poppy Davies, Georgia Davis, Sarah Glenn, Milly Home, Chloe Hill, Amy Jones, Evelyn Jones, Marie Kelly, Anisha Patel, Grace Potts, Liz Russell, Issy Wong

Lightning: Abbey Freeborn, Alicia Presland, Bethan Ellis, Bethany Harmer, Grace Ballinger, Ilenia Sims, Kathryn Bryce, Leah Kellogg, Lucy Higham, Nancy Harman, Ria Fackrell, Sarah Bryce, Shachi Pai, Sophie Munro, Teresa Graves

Northern Diamonds – Hollie Armitage, Ami Campbell, Leah Dobson, Helen Fenby, Phoebe Graham, Jenny Gunn, Bess Heath, Rachel Hopkins, Sterre Kalis, Beth Langston, Katie Levick, Alex Macdonald, Rachel Slater, Ella Telford, Layla Tipton

South East Stars: Megan Belt, Maxine Blythin, Chloe Brewer, Alice Capsey, Aylish Cranstone, Tash Farrant, Phoebe Franklin, Grace Gibbs, Amy Gordon, Eva Gray, Danielle Gregory, Hannah Jones, Susie Rowe, Rhianna Southby, Kirstie White

Southern Vipers: Georgia Adams, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Ella Chandler, Providence Cowdrill, Charlie Dean, Ariana Dowse, Freya Kemp, Cassidy McCarthy, Ella McCaughan, Alice Monaghan, Tara Norris, Carla Rudd, Paige Scholfield, Emily Windsor

Thunder: Georgie Boyce, Natalie Brown, Alice Clarke, Danielle Collins, Rebecca Duckworth, Alice Dyson, Alex Hartley, Liberty Heap, Laura Jackson, Hannah Jones, Laura Marshall, Daisy Mullan, Olivia Thomas , Ellie Threlkeld, Sophia Turner

Sunrisers: Amara Carr, Naomi Dattani, Cordelia Griffith, Jo Gardner, Kelly Castle, Sonali Patel, Gaya Gole, Emily Thorpe, Mia Rodgers, Katie Midwood, Hayley Brown, Scarlett Hughes, Katie Wolfe

Western Storm: Sophie Luff, Fi Morris, Danielle Gibson, Claire Nicholas, Alex Griffiths, Georgia Hennessy, Nat Wraith, Lauren Filer, Steph Hutchins, Lauren Parfitt, Emily Edgcombe, Niamh Holland, Emma Corney, Abbie Whybrow

• Special-edition women’s domestic tournament to be named after pioneering World-Cup winning captain Rachael Heyhoe Flint
• The month-long tournament will begin on the August Bank Holiday weekend
• Two group winners to meet in final on Saturday 26 September
• The 50-over tournament ensures competitive domestic women’s cricket will be played this summer
• Full schedule to be released alongside Vitality Blast fixtures on Wednesday
• The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that this summer’s women’s domestic 50-over competition will be named the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy in honour of England’s pioneering World Cup-winning captain.

The special-edition competition has been created for this summer only to ensure women’s domestic cricket is played despite the challenges of COVID-19 and underlines the ECB’s commitment to professionalise the domestic game for women.

The competition will begin on the August Bank Holiday weekend and will feature the eight teams from the new elite domestic structure playing in two regionalised groups of four.

Each team will play six group-stage matches with the top team in each group to progress to a final to be staged on Saturday, 26 September. The final will be hosted by the finalist with the most points at the end of the group stage.

The full schedule for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy will be released alongside the Vitality Blast fixtures on Wednesday morning.

ECB Managing Director of Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor, said: “I’m delighted that, despite the obvious challenges of COVID-19, we have been able to continue to build the new women’s elite domestic structure to the point that we’ll see the eight regions playing 50-over cricket this summer.

“Off the back of appointing the eight Regional Directors of Women’s Cricket and awarding Regional Retainers, we have worked closely with colleagues across the men’s domestic game to ensure we are able to stage domestic women’s cricket safely and at high-quality venues.

“Rachael Heyhoe Flint would have been proud to witness the professionalisation of the domestic women’s game. She did so much for our sport and without her work, passion and dedication, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

“It’s therefore fitting that this special edition of the competition will be played in her honour. I’d personally like to extend my thanks to Rachael’s son, Ben, with whom we collaborated on the logo for the competition.”

South East Stars bowler Tash Farrant said: “I’m so glad we’ll be playing domestic cricket this summer. I know in the wake of COVID-19 it’s taken a lot of work to get to this point and it’s really important that we’ve got here.

“Playing regular and competitive regional cricket will be vital for the women’s domestic game, and it’s good that even in the current climate we’ve seen an emphasis placed on getting it across the line.

“I can’t wait to play, and I’m sure it’s the same for every player. To be competing this year for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy, given everything she has done for women’s cricket, is particularly special and hopefully the trophy will head the way of South East Stars.”

Baroness Rachael Heyhoe Flint OBE was a trailblazer for women’s sport captaining England to the first-ever Cricket World Cup title in 1973 while off the field her tireless determination for equality laid the foundations for the opportunities presented to modern-day players.

Heyhoe Flint played 22 Tests and 23 one-day internationals during a 19-year England career and is a member of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Women’s Cricketer of the Year award was created and named after Heyhoe Flint in 2017 as a tribute to her following her death, aged 77, that year.

Rachael Heyhoe Flint’s son, Ben, said: “Mum has provided our family with so many reasons to be proud and we are grateful that her determination to give women’s cricket the platform it deserves continues to be recognised.

“We are honoured that this competition has been named after her, but I know mum would only have cared that female cricketers had yet another opportunity to play the game they love in difficult times, which is something she was very used to.”

Who’s playing in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy?

The eight newly-formed regions of the women’s elite domestic structure.

Those regions are formed of First-Class Counties and National Counties – and Loughborough University – who work together at the elite end of the women’s domestic game to support a squad of professional and semi-professional players, as well as an academy.

The eight regions are:

Central Sparks (Warwickshire CCC & Worcestershire CCC, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire)

Lightning (Loughborough University, Derbyshire CCC, Leicestershire CCC, Nottinghamshire CCC, Lincolnshire)

Northern Diamonds (Yorkshire CCC, Durham CCC, Northumberland)

Thunder (Lancashire CCC, Cheshire, Cumbria)

South East Stars (Surrey CCC, Kent CCC)

Southern Vipers (Hampshire Cricket Ltd, Sussex CCC, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Dorset, Isle of Wight, Oxfordshire)

Sunrisers (Middlesex CCC, Essex CCC, Northamptonshire CCC, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire, Huntingdonshire, Norfolk, Suffolk)

Western Storm (Glamorgan CCC, Gloucestershire CCC, Somerset CCC, Cricket Wales, Cornwall, Devon, Wiltshire)

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy groups

North: Central Sparks, Lightning, Northern Diamonds, Thunder

South: South East Stars, Southern Vipers, Sunrisers, Western Storm

Will The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy be played every year?

This summer (2020) was always set to be the first summer of fixtures in the new women’s elite domestic structure.

COVID-19 has impacted some of the logistics of this year’s competition, the regionalised approach of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint trophy – for example – is a specific reaction to the landscape of COVID-19.

So while the eight regions will be participating in both 50-over and 20-over cricket every summer from now on the tournament structure and tournament names are yet to be confirmed.

Which players will take part in the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy?

Each region will have a squad of 15 players.

Some of those players are already known, as each region has announced their intake of Regional Retainer players – an important step towards the professionalisation of the domestic women’s game – and each region will soon confirm their full 15-strong squad.

The availability of England Women’s Centrally Contracted players will be known once the international schedule has been confirmed.

All players who take part in the competition will be paid to play, with the exception of Centrally Contracted players.