Heyhoe Flint Trophy Essentials: Western Storm v Southern Vipers

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...

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Fixture: Western Storm v Southern Vipers

Venue: Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton

Dates: Saturday, June 12, 2021

Start time: 1pm

What's the lowdown?

Sitting in sixth position, Western Storm will no doubt be disappointed with their start to 2021. After beating Thunder in dramatic fashion to seal a win in their season opener, they have struggled, suffering a middle-order collapse in pursuit of 296 against Central Sparks before losing by six wickets to South East Stars. Facing two in-form sides back to back is, admittedly, unlucky but unfortunately for Storm, the fixture list is no kinder in round four.

Southern Vipers, meanwhile, were finally defeated in round three, suffering a batting collapse of epic proportions to slip to 17 for 5 against Central Sparks before being bowled out for a humbling 104. Having had their nine-match winning streak ended in brutal fashion, Georgia Adams’ Vipers will be out for blood in Taunton.

Who should I watch out for?

Storm will be without talismanic top-order batter Heather Knight against Vipers, with the England captain away on international duty. Instead, turn your attention to Lauren Parfitt and Sophie Luff who will be attempting to plug the sizeable gap left by Knight. Both players have scored half-centuries in 2021 but so far, not in the same match.

With the ball for Storm, the pressure is on Fi Morris and Georgia Hennessey to perform in the absence of Anya Shrubsole. The duo took 11 wickets apiece last season but are yet to click into gear this year, both with wickets and economy.

Southern Vipers, meanwhile, are fortunate to only lose Georgia Elwiss to international duty and it’s safe to the allrounder hasn’t been their star performer this year. That accolade is firmly in the hands of opener Danni Wyatt who has scored three consecutive fifties this season – a feat matched by only Heather Knight.

The Charlottes Taylor and Dean are the pick of the Vipers bowling attack. The former has taken eight wickets and bowled with an economy of 2.6, the latter has seven wickets and is conceding just 3.72 runs per over.

What's the team news?

Coming soon.

Latest Western Storm news: Click here

Latest Southern Vipers news: Click here

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What's the weather forecast?

Coming soon.

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

How do I follow the match?

TV/stream: Somerset's YouTube account will carry a stream. 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

Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for juniors, with student entry priced at £7.

Click here to visit the Western Storm box office.

Travel

Address: County Ground Taunton, St James Street, Taunton, TA1 1JT

By car: At Junction 25, take the A358 Exit to Taunton/ Yeovil. At the roundabout, take the 2nd exit (south) or 3rd exit (north) onto the A358 heading to Taunton/ A38/ Minehead, continuing straight onto Toneway/ A358. At the next roundabout, take the 2nd exit onto Priory Avenue and the Cooper Associates County Ground will be on your left.

By train: Taunton Train Station is a 10-minute walk from the ground. As you leave the station, turn left into Station Road, heading towards the town centre. Turn left onto Priory Bridge Road, and the ground will be on your right. 

By bus: Taunton Bus Station is a five-minute walk from the ground. As you leave the station, turn left onto Castle Green. Turn left at Fat Face and walk down to Debenhams before turning right into St James Street and the ground will appear on your left.

Park & Ride: Taunton operate two park and ride services from either the Silk Mills (West – TA1 5AA) or Junction 25 (East – TA3 5LU) sites.  Please check their opening hours ahead your visit by clicking here.

Taunton ground guide: Click here

Prediction?

You have to feel sorry for Storm. Following their reality check against Sparks, Vipers will be keen to bounce back from the embarrassing nature of their defeat and could quite possibly bulldoze Storm into submission. Add in the absence of Knight and Shrubsole and it could be an ugly day for the home side. Vipers, with ease.

OTHER MATCH PREVIEWS

Central Sparks v North West Thunder

Lightning v Sunrisers

Northern Diamonds v South East Stars

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