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 Charlotte Edwards Cup...
Fixture: Sunrisers v Northern Diamonds
Venue: Cloudfm County Ground, Chelmsford
Dates: Friday, July 2, 2021
Start time: 6.30pm
What's the lowdown?
After enduring 10 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches without a win, Sunrisers had no such trouble in the T20s, defeating Western Storm by seven wickets to finally achieve their first win as a team. Sunrisers got off to a flyer in their Charlotte Edwards Cup opener, reducing their hosts to 51 for 5 before a fightback spearheaded by Natasha Wraith dragged Storm to 129 for 6. However, despite taking their foot off the gas with the ball, Kelly Castle's side had no trouble completing the chase, sealing the win with 13 balls to spare.
Northern Diamonds, meanwhile, started their season with a defeat, losing to Thunder by 12 runs. Diamonds struggled against the fire power of Emma Lamb, who struck 58 runs from 43 balls, but removed the Thunder opener in the 17th over to limit their opponents to 118 for 6. However, what should have been a routine chase was derailed by Lamb, who finished with 4 for 13, and Sophia Turner (1 for 4).
However, despite the defeat, Northern Diamonds can take heart from having already obliterated Sunrisers in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, triumping by nine wickets after chasing down 54 inside eight overs.
Who should I watch out for?
Grace Scrivens was the star for Sunrisers in round one, playing with maturity beyond her years with bat and ball. The 17-year-old took 1 for 16 and conceded no boundaries from her four overs before striking an unbeaten 35-ball 34 to see her side over the line. Mady Villiers also enjoyed a good day with the bat, posting a rapid 36 off 26 balls.
With the ball, teenager Sonali Patel is marking herself out as a player to watch. She took the wickets of top-order batters Fi Morris and Danielle Gibson before running out Georgia Hennessey to leave Western Storm rocking on 36 for 3. Patel finished with figures of 2 for 26.
For Diamonds, Katie Levick was the pick of the bowlers against Thunder, capturing the crucial wicket of Emma Lamb on her way to 1 for 18. Levick need two wickets against Sunrisers to have 100 career T20 wickets and has an intimidating career economy of 5.65.
Hollie Armitage looked good with the bat, scoring 20 off 19 deliveries to put her side in a good position after four overs. Her wicket proved to be a turning point. Sterre Kalis, meanwhile, was Diamonds' top-scorer with 32 runs from 37 balls. It wasn't her finest or most fluid performance but as a former T20I world record holder, the potential for fireworks is there.
What's the team news?
Sunrisers squad: Kelly Castle, Amara Carr, Naomi Dattani, Jo Gardner, Gayatri Gole, Lissy Macleod, Sonali Patel, Mia Rogers, Grace Scrivens, Katherine Speed, Mady Villiers, Katie Wolfe, Emily Woodhouse
Sarah Taylor has been declared fit to play after being subbed out of Diamonds' season opener with concussion. The wicketkeeper, unsighted by Danielle Collins, was struck in the head off the bowling of Beth Langston off the final ball of Thunder's innings and was replaced by Rachel Hopkins.
Northern Diamonds squad: Hollie Armitage, Ami Campbell, Leah Dobson, Helen Fenby, Phoebe Graham, Jenny Gunn, Rachel Hopkins, Sterre Kalis, Beth Langston, Katie Levick, Alex MacDonald, Linsey Smith, Sarah Taylor
Latest Sunrisers 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 Chelmsford: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream Sunrisers will have live coverage on 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
Tickets are £10. Click here to visit the Essex box office.
Travel
Address: County Ground, New Writtle Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 OPG
By train: Chelmsford Railway Station is approximately 10 minutes' walk from the ground.
Coming out of the station, walk north on Duke Street and then turn left onto Park Road. Turn right going between Middleditch Court and Norman Court before turning left. When reaching the Parkway main road, turn left before quickly turning right to cross into the Park.
Having crossed the River Can, keep straight until hitting New Writtle Street where you must turn left. After approximately 350 feet, turn left and the ground is on the right.
By car: The stadium has a pay and display carpark with cash payment machines located on site.
Chelmsford City Centre’s High Chelmer multi-storey car par is a five-minute walk from the ground and can be accessed via New London Road after turning left off Parkway. This car park’s post code is CM2 OLG.
There are two park and ride sites in Chelmsford which offer bus services into the city centre. The first site is Chelmer Valley, postcode CM2 7RZ, and the second is located at CM3 3PR.
By bus: Chelmsford Bus Station is on Duke Street, right next to the Railway Station. Bus No.42 and No.100 stop on New London road, approximately a two-minute walk to the ground.
Prediction?
Sunrisers have winning momentum but Northern Diamonds have an enviable squad, including international juggernauts Jenny Gunn and Sarah Taylor. And don't forget, Diamonds lost their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy opener and haven't been beaten since. Away win.
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