Southern Vipers v Thunder
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
Wednesday 1st May 2024 (10:30am start)
Wormsley
Southern Vipers will aim to go three in a row with a second trip to the Chilterns as they take on Thunder in the penultimate game of the first block of Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches.
The Vipers completed a convincing 70-run DLS win against Northern Diamonds at Utilita Bowl in their last match, with Ella McCaughan and Charlie Dean the standouts.
The opening batter scored 83, her best for the Vipers, in a partnership worth 72 with Maia Bouchier, as the two flew out of the blocks scoring at over a run a ball.
Dean then spun a web around the Diamonds batters as she took 4-34 in eight overs removing England’s Lauren Winfield-Hill, Hollie Armitage, and Bess Heath, along with Leah Dobson.
Last time out at Wormsley last week, the Vipers cruised to a bonus point win against Central Sparks, where Charli Knott recorded her first Vipers fifty.
In the previous outings against these two sides, the Mary Taylor career took best figures of 4-39 at Arundel in a bonus point win, and Abi Norgrove top scored with 49 in just her second match in a thrilling tied game at Southport.
Southern Vipers Squad
Southern Vipers have named a 13-player squad to take on Thunder at Wormsley.
All of Southern Vipers centrally contracted England players are unavailable, along with Freya Davies.
Academy graduates Abi Norgrove and Finty Trussler join the squad, with Georgia Elwiss and Alice Monaghan returning.
Georgia Adams is continuing to manage a finger injury she sustained in the opening match against South East Stars so is expected to bat lower down.
| Georgia Adams Captain (1) | Linsey Smith (50) |
| Georgia Elwiss (34) | Rhianna Southby † (17) |
| Nancy Harman (25) | Megan Sturge † (3) |
| Charli Knott (88) | Mary Taylor (9) |
| Ella McCaughan (8) | Finty Trussler (18) |
| Alice Monaghan (20) | Emily Windsor (4) |
| Abi Norgrove (12) |
Thunder
On paper, Thunder look as strong a side as any, but, like the Vipers, they are too expected to be without their England stars this match.
Last match, they were defeated by the wooden spoon of 2023 – Western Storm – despite having three England bowlers in their lineup in Mahika Gaur, Kate Cross, and Sophie Ecclestone.
However, they can still call upon the likes of former Vipers Tara Norris and Fi Morris, along with pacers Phoebe Graham, Naomi Dattani, and Laura Jackson.
In the spin department, 25-year-old Hannah Jones has been tipped as one to watch, as her left arm spin always poses a threat.
With their batting, overseas signing Katie Mack recorded a century on her debut against Sunrisers, with Fi Morris making 89 in the same match.
Ellie Threlkeld and Emma Lamb will provide some reliability, while we can expect fireworks from England U19 keeper-batter Seren Smale at the top of the order.
2023 Season In Numbers:
- 7th in RHFT
- Leading run scorer: Ellie Threlkeld (287)
- Leading wicket taker: Olivia Bell (14)
Head-To-Head:
Southern Vipers’ record in Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches v Thunder:
| Played | Won | lost | Tied | No Result |
| 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Recent Meetings:
- September 9th 2023 | Arundel | Vipers won by 64 runs
- July 7th 2023 | Southport | Match Tied
- September 11th 2022 | Utility Bowl | Vipers won by four wickets (with 18 balls remaining)
- September 10th 2021 | CC comes out | Vipers won by three wickets (with 97 balls remaining)
Tickets
Admission for Southern Vipers v Thunder at Wormsley is free.
Match Coverage
A live stream will be available for the match, and a link to the stream will be available in the free-to-download Hampshire Cricket App and at www.utilitabowl.com/cricket.
Both the Hampshire Cricket App and www.utilitabowl.com/cricket will also host a live match center with scorecard, statistics and insight available throughout the match.
Weather Forecast
Please follow the link to view the latest weather forecast for Wormsley: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2646310.
