Heyhoe Flint Trophy Essentials: Lightning v Northern Diamonds

Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast and everything else you need to know ahead of the second round of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy...

Fixture: Lightning v Northern Diamonds

Venue: Kibworth CC

Dates: Monday, May 31, 2021

Start time: 10.30am

What's the lowdown?

Two teams whose first outing in this year's competition ultimately ended in defeat. Lightning were up against defending champions Southern Vipers, who had too much for Rob Taylor's side, who were restricted to 214 for 9 with the bat and then ran out of steam with the ball once Kirstie Gordon's excellent spell came to an end. The Bryce sisters - so reliable in the runs department last year - could only contribute 13 between them.

Middle order contributions from Lucy Higham and Teresa and Yvonne Graves should act as a cause for optimism, though, especially with the quality of Tammy Beaumont at the top of the innings.

For Northern Diamonds - conquered by Vipers at Edgbaston in last year's final - they will feel as though they should have beaten Central Sparks, having been in the driving seat for much of the day.

Only three Sparks made double figures - 114 for Amy Jones, 71 for Sarah Glenn and 24 for Emily Arlott - but 30 extras, including two overs' worth of wides, came back to haunt Hollie Armitage's side. They had their own positives, however, with a century for Lauren Winfield-Hill and contributions from Katherine Brunt and Sterre Kalis.

Who should I watch out for?

As mentioned above, the Bryce sisters are two of the more intriguing players in this year's competition, having so impressed last time around. If they fire - both with bat and ball in Kathryn's case and Sarah with the bat and behind the stumps - Lightning will have an excellent chance.

Watch out too for Gordon - their fellow Scot and an England Test player as recently as two years ago. She has fallen down the pecking order more recently, but she showed her quality against Vipers.

For Diamonds, Nat Sciver endured a rare poor game against Sparks and will no doubt come back strongly.

What's the team news?

Both teams are expected to have their England players available once again.

Lightning squad: Kathryn Bryce, Sarah Bryce, Lucy Higham, Bethan Ellis, Abigail Freeborn, Leah Kellogg, Grace Ballinger, Alicia Presland, Nancy Harman, Shachi Pai, Sophie Munro, Teresa Graves, Kirstie Gordon, Tammy Beaumont, Yvonne Graves, Sonia Odedra, Michaela Kirk, Beth Harmer

Northern Diamonds 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, Lauren Winfield-Hill

Latest Lightning news: Click here

Latest Northern Diamonds news: Click here

What's the weather forecast?

Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Kibworth: Click here

How do I follow the match?

TV/stream: Information to come.

Radio: BBC Local Radio and the BBC Sport website will carry updates of the game.

Digital: The Cricketer will carry live scorecards and reports from every Women's Regional Competition match in 2021, as well as the latest breaking news from around the counties and exclusive features. Visit our Women's Regional Hub for more. 

Going to the game?

This game is being played behind closed doors, without spectators.

Prediction?

Both sides began with defeats - Lightning's more comprehensive than Northern Diamonds'. It is hard to look past last year's beaten finalists here.

OTHER ROUND 2 MATCH PREVIEWS

Central Sparks v Western Storm

South East Stars v Southern Vipers

Thunder v Sunrisers