Match times, streaming information, tickets and travel, team news, weather forecast and everything else you need to know ahead of the next round of the Charlotte Edwards Cup
Fixture: Thunder v Sunrisers
Venue: Emirates Old Trafford
Dates: Friday, July 9, 2021
Start time: 2:30pm
What's the lowdown?
Thunder and Sunrisers head into round three with identical records. Thunder, spearheaded by Emma Lamb, defeated Northern Diamonds by 12 runs at Headingley in round one before losing their rain-shortened clash with Western Storm by nine wickets. Alex Hartley's side posted 110 for 8 from their 20 overs (a total she will have backed her bowlers to defend) before a two-hour rain shower left Storm chasing a DLS target of 33 runs from five overs. The away side completed their victory with 11 balls to spare.
Sunrisers, meanwhile, stunned Western Storm in round one, taking a seven-wicket victory to earn their first ever win at the 11th attempt. However, they were brought back down to earth by Northern Diamonds in round two, with Leah Dobson and Sarah Taylor steering their side to an eight-wicket victory inside 17 overs.
Thunder won the only previous match between these two sides, taking a 36-run win in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. Their upcoming encounter forms part of a double-header with Lancashire Lightning at Emirates Old Trafford.
Who should I watch out for?
Having been released from England's white-ball squad, Kate Cross is expected to return for Thunder. The 29-year-old has scored 652 runs and taken 82 wickets in 117 career T20 appearances and adds irreplacable bowling experience and a carefree batting attitude to Thunder's XI.
Emma Lamb is always box office. She couldn't replicate her half-century at Headingley against Western Storm on Sunday but still added a brisk 19-ball 21 at the top of the order. The allrounder also has a team-leading five wickets to her name.
For Sunrisers, Joanne Gardner was impressive against Northern Diamonds, scoring 42 runs from 30 balls to drag her side from 41 for 5 to 112 for 7. Indeed, middle-order resistance has been a theme of Sunrisers' performances since their formation in 2020, so any one of Gardner, Kelly Castle and Katherine Speed could star with the bat.
With the ball, young Grace Scrivens has been the standout bowler, taking two wickets and bowling with a team-leading economy of 5.42. Castle and Naomi Dattani, meanwhile, were the only bowlers to concede less than a run a ball against Northern Diamonds - a display which stands them in good stead against an explosive batter like Lamb.
What's the team news?
Kate Cross has been made available for Thunder, following her release from England's squad.
Sunrisers squad: Kelly Castle, Amara Carr, Naomi Dattani, Jo Gardner, Gayatri Gole, Cordelia Griffith, Lissy Macleod, Sonali Patel, Mia Rogers, Grace Scrivens, Katherine Speed, Katie Wolfe, Emily Woodhouse
Latest Thunder news: Click here
Latest Sunrisers news: Click here
What's the weather forecast?
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Manchester: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream The game will be streamed via Lancashire CCC'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?
Tickets
Tickets are £5 for adults and £1 for under-18s. Click here for Thunder's ticket office.
Travel
Address: Lancashire Cricket Club, Emirates Old Trafford, Talbot Road, Manchester, M16 0PX
Parking: The current Gatehouse at the Talbot Road entrance is no longer manned although there will still be a security presence between the hours of 7pm and 7am stationed within the Pavilion reception.
Unless you have bought a permit with a membership, parking will now be paid for from pay on foot machines that have been installed by the main entrance on Talbot Road and within the Trafford Cricket Centre reception, entrance located on Car Park 4.
This system may be suspended for certain matches where parking may be limited, and different matchday charges may apply. Spectators should check the Lancashire website prior to travel.
By train: Manchester Piccadilly, Deansgate Castlefield and Victoria all have access to tram stops, which will take you directly to the ground.
By tram: Metrolink runs every few minutes so you don’t need a timetable, you can just turn up and travel anytime from early morning til late in the evening.
For those visiting the region from further afield there is free parking for Metrolink customers at park and ride sites across the network.
Buy tickets at tram stops or by using the Get Me There app.
Nearest Tram stop: Old Trafford.
By bus: Manchester has a substantial bus network. Plan your journey to Old Trafford by clicking here.
Prediction?
Thunder will have to be wary of Sunrisers, particularly their middle-order batters. However, on home soil and with Kate Cross back in their ranks, they should be too strong.
Photo: George Franks (@ggf_photos)
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