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 Charlotte Edwards Cup...
Fixture: South East Stars v Lightning
Venue: Woodbridge Road, Guildford
Date: Wednesday, August 25, 2021
Start time: 2.30pm
What's the lowdown?
South East Stars are currently second in Group A, six points behind group leaders Southern Vipers. The Stars started the season with back-to-back victories, chasing down their target of 108 against Lightning inside 14 overs before defeating Central Sparks in similarly convincing fashion. However, they came unstuck against Southern Vipers in their final match before The Hundred, succumbing to a heavy seven-wicket defeat as the group leaders chased down 128 to win with 26 balls remaining.
Lightning, meanwhile, are the only side in either group yet to win a competitive T20 match this season. Kathryn Bryce's side were easily beaten in the reverse fixture, losing by six wickets, before being let down by their batting against Southern Vipers and Central Sparks.
Agains the former, Lightning were bowled out for just 88 runs as they down 135, Michaela Kirk and Sonia Odedra top-scoring with 16. A week later in Leicester, they were dismissed for 81, a total they unsurprisingly failed to defend despite the best efforts of their bowlers. Sparks completed a six-wicket victory with four balls remaining.
Who should I watch out for?
There's one name on everybody's lips and that's Alice Capsey. The South East Stars allrounder shone during The Hundred, scoring 150 runs, including one half-century, and taking 10 wickets at an average of 12.2 for Oval Invincibles before picking up her winner's medal at Lord's on August 21. Not bad for a 17-year-old! She's also been performing well in Stars yellow, scoring 64 runs at a strike rate of 116.36, taking three wickets, and bowling with a team-leading economy of 4.75. Capsey is the player of the moment in women's cricket.
Phoebe Franklin and Bryony Smith showed good form for the Stars prior to The Hundred. The former is the team's leading run-scorer, with 74 runs in three appearances, while the latter is at the top of the wicket-taking charts with eight in 9.5 overs. And of course, Tash Farrant - The Hundred's leading wicket-taker, need we say more?
For Lightning, two players likely hold the key to their success: Kathryn and Sarah Bryce. The sisters were excellent last season, Sarah scoring 395 runs and excelling with the gloves, Kathryn starring with both bat and ball. However, both players have struggled in 2021. Sarah Bryce has just 10 runs in three T20 matches, while Kathryn has a team-leading five wickets but only 29 runs (which still gets her up to number four in the team's run-scoring charts). These two are the game-changers for Lightning and if they find their form in Guildford, their could be an upset on the cards.
Also keep an eye on Kirstie Gordon. The England international burst into life during The Hundred with 15 wickets for Birmingham Phoenix - a total only Farrant could better. A welcome return to form for Lightning's spin merchant.
What's the team news?
South East Stars: Sophia Dunkley and Freya Davies, both of whom have been included in England's squad to face New Zealand, are absent but Tash Farrant has been included in Stars' 13-strong squad.
South East Stars squad: Tash Farrant, Alice Capsey, Aylish Cranstone, Kira Chathli, Alice Davidson-Richards, Phoebe Franklin, Dani Gregory, Grace Gibbs, Emma Jones, Kalea Moore, Bryony Smith, Alexa Stonehouse, Kirstie White
Latest South East Stars news: Click here
Latest Lightning news: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream South East Stars will carry a live stream on Surrey's YouTube channel. 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?
What’s the weather forecast?
You can follow the Met Office's live forecast for Guidlford here:
Tickets
Spectators can attend this match for free.
Travel
Address: The Sports Ground, Woodbridge Road, Guildford GU1 4RP.
By Car
No matchday parking is available at or near the ground and the club advises all fans to use public transport. The nearest Guildford Borough public car park is at Mary Road GU1 4QU.
Alternatively, there is Guildford Park & Ride. Click here for more details.
By Rail
Guildford Cricket Club is approximately a 10-minute walk from two rail stations: Guildford and London Road.
Prediction?
Lightning have been poor all season and should be no match for South East Stars.
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