Heyhoe Flint Trophy Essentials: Northern Diamonds v South East Stars

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

Fixture: Northern Diamonds v South East Stars

Venue: Emerald Headingley, Leeds

Dates: Saturday, June 12, 2021

Start time: 10.30am 

What's the lowdown?

Second-placed Northern Diamonds and third-placed South East Stars lock horns, with both looking to keep pace with table-topping Central Sparks.

Each have won two and lost one of their opening three fixtures in this year's Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

Diamonds demolished Sunrisers in their last outing, skittling the opposition for just 53 before cantering to their meagre target in less than eight overs. They have also beaten Lightning and lost to Sparks in their early-season matches.

Stars enjoyed a six-wicket win over Western Storm in their clash last weekend, chasing down their 246-run target with nearly six overs to spare. Their only defeat of the campaign so far came against Southern Vipers.

Sophia Dunkley, a recipient of a England central contract this week, scored 92 against Storm last time out. Dunkley also has a century in this year's tournament and is averaging 98 in the competition to date. 

Two of the four centurions in the competition so far are in these regional hubs, with Lauren Winfield-Hill - the Northern Diamonds captain - joining Dunkley in having reached three figures in the 2021 Heyhoe Flint. 

With the ball, England stalwart Katherine Brunt of Diamonds is the tournament's joint leading wicket-taker with nine so far, at an average of 8.33 and with a miserly economy rate of just 2.33. She will be the main weapon for the hosts in their efforts to blunt an energetic and exciting Stars top order.

Stars have a leading wicket-taker of their own, though. Tash Farrant also has nine scalps in 2021, at an average of 13.77, and is one of only three bowlers to have returned a five-wicket haul so far this season.

All that said, each of these players have been called up by England for the one-off Test against India and are currently at the training centre in Loughborough.

Who should I watch out for?

Alice Davidson-Richards has a pair of half-centuries from her three innings and averages 48.33 for South East Stars. In the absence of Dunkley, she is the major run threat for her side.

Bryony Smith has six wickets at 17.66 with her off-spin and has made 121 runs at 40.33 this season with the bat, including a half-century. Extra pressure will fall on her with bat and ball given the absence of Dunkley and Tash Farrant.

For Diamonds, Brunt being missing is not ideal but they have depth in the bowling ranks - Beth Langston has six wickets at 11.66 this term, while Linsey Smith, Jenny Gunn and Katie Levick offer experience, control and know-how.

What's the team news?

Northern Diamonds will hand a debut to former England wicketkeeper-batter Sarah Taylor following her surprise signing for the region this week. Katherine Brunt and Lauren Winfield-Hill are on England duty.

Freya Davies's availability is a welcome boost for South East Stars, who had been primed to be without her on England duty. Davies was released from the Test squad on Friday in order to get gametime in the 50-over competition as preparation for the upcoming one-day internationals against India. Tash Farrant and Sophia Dunkley are on England duty.

Northern Diamonds squad: Hollie Armitage, Rachel Hopkins, Sterre Kalis, Alex MacDonald, Sarah Taylor, Ami Campbell, Jenny Gunn, Beth Langston, Linsey Smith, Phoebe Graham, Katie Levick, Helen Fenby, Leah Dobson

Latest Northern Diamonds news: Click here

Latest South East Stars news: Click here

What's the weather forecast?

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

How do I follow the match?

TV/stream: Northern Diamonds will offer live coverage of the match via their website: Click here

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?

Tickets

All tickets must be purchased/booked in advance and mobile tickets will be issued. There will be no sales on the day. Early bird prices are £5 for adults, £1 for everyone else.

Click here to visit the Northern Diamonds box office.

Travel

Address: Yorkshire County Cricket Club, Emerald Headingley Stadium, Leeds, LS6 3DP

By car: From the South leave the M1 at Junction 43 to take the M621 as far as Junction 2. From the M62 West leave at Junction 27 to take the M621 as far as Junction 2. From the M62 East leave at Junction29 to join the M1 Northbound to take the M621 as far as junction 2

At Junction 2 of the M621 follow the signs for Headingley stadium along the A643. These signs will lead you along the Leeds Inner Ring Road A58 to the A660 which is signposted to Skipton and Headingley Stadium. Signs along this road will indicate you have reached the Headingley area.

All routes into Leeds from Bradford, Keighley and other northern areas lead to the Leeds Outer Ring Road, the A6110 – A6120 – A63. Along the Outer Ring Road signposting to Headingley Stadium will lead you to the A660 Otley Road and from here southwards to the Headingley area.

Parking: Parking is available in Car Park E on St Michael’s Lane. Parking will be charged at £5 per car and can be booked in advanced by calling the ticket office on 03445043099, or on the day.

Bike racks are available at the ground and are to be left at the owner’s discretion.

By bus: The following services operate from the city centre towards Headingley.

Services 19 and 19A – buses every 15 minutes

City Centre stops:

Stand F7 on York Street opposite Leeds Bus Station

Stand K13 on Kirkgate

Stand K17 on Duncan Street

Stand S10 outside Leeds Railway Station

Stand D on Infirmary Street

Stand Y10 opposite the Central Library

Stand Y14 opposite the Combined Courts

Service 56 – buses every 10 minutes

City Centre stops

Stand G6 on Eastgate

Stand J1 on Albion Street

Services 19/A

Full route: Ireland Wood/Tinshill-Spen Lane-Queenswood Drive-Headingley (Stadium)-Cardigan Road-Burley Road-City Centre-York Road-Halton-Whitkirk-Colton-Garforth.

Service 56

Full route: Moor Grange-Queenswood Drive-Headingley (Stadium)-Hyde Park-University-City Centre-York Road-Cross Gates-Swarcliffe-Whinmoor

By train: Headingley is served by three stations.

Leeds Station

Headingley is around a 10-15 minute drive from Leeds City Station. A taxi should cost around £8-£10.

Headingley Station

Headingley Station is on the Harrogate Line and is a 10-minute walk from the ground. Please note that the initial part of this walk is slightly uphill. Trains run half-hourly from Leeds Station and should take around 12 minutes.

Burley Park Station

Burley Park Station is also on the Harrogate Line and is a five minute walk from the ground. Trains run half hourly and should take around five minutes. If travelling from Leeds Station this is your recommended station to use.

Prediction?

Northern Diamonds, as was the case last year, look perhaps the best equipped to withstand England absences of all the eight regional hubs. Their bowling remains deep despite Brunt being away, and with Taylor coming on board they have bolstered their batting as well as adding perhaps the best wicketkeeper - male or female - of her generation. Home win.

OTHER MATCH PREVIEWS

Central Sparks v North West Thunder

Lightning v Sunrisers

Western Storm v Southern Vipers