Charlotte Edwards Cup Essentials: Southern Vipers 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 next round of the Charlotte Edwards Cup

The Cricketer | 27/08/2021 at 18:11

Fixture: Southern Vipers v South East Stars

Venue: Ageas Bowl, Southampton

Date: Saturday, August 28, 2021

Start time: 2.30pm

What's the lowdown?

For the second time in 2021, Central Sparks stunned Southern Vipers, adding a six-wicket Charlotte Edwards Cup win to their Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy triumph earlier in the season. Vipers performed strongly with the bat, posting 162 for 4 at Hove, but had no answer to Sparks opening pair Marie Kelly and Eve Jones, the former scoring a 53-ball unbeaten century.

The Vipers' lead at the top of Group A has now been cut from six points to just two with two matches remaining.

And breathing down their neck in second place are South East Stars, who put 175 runs past Lightning to all but secure victory without bowling a ball. They restricted their opponents to 147 for 7 in Guildford to secure a 28-run win. The Stars have now won three and lost one of their four matches to date.

In the reverse fixture, Southern Vipers triumphed by seven wickets, chasing down 128 in 15.4 overs.

Who should I watch out for?

Without wishing to sound like a broken record, Alice Capsey once again impressed against Lightning, scoring 38 runs off 28 balls at number three and taking 2 for 28 with the ball. She will likely play an important allround role against Southern Vipers.

However, in the absence of Tash Farrant, Alice Davidson-Richards has the perfect opportunity to showcase herself as Stars' number one allrounder. The 27-year-old, who hasn't played for England since 2018, scored 41 not out from just 25 runs against Lightning, demonstrating the good form which saw her score 110 runs for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred. Davidson-Richards is yet to bowl for Stars in the Charlotte Edwards Cup but took seven wickets in just over 22 overs in The Hundred. A secret weapon?

For Southern Vipers, Georgia Adams will likely dominate with the bat. In the absence of Danni Wyatt, the 27-year-old has scored two half-centuries, most recently scoring a 60-ball 88 against Central Sparks. Her other half-century came against South East Stars.

With the ball, young Lauren Bell is the player to watch and emerged from the Sparks mauling with her reputation improved, finishing with tidy figures of 0 for 28. The 20-year-old has taken just two T20 wickets this season but is bowling economically, conceding just 5.13 runs per over.

What's the team news?

Southern Vipers are once again without Danni Wyatt while Maia Bouchier and Charlie Dean are also absent. All three have been selected for England's white-ball squad to face New Zealand.

Southern Vipers squad: Georgia Adams (C), Ariana Dowse, Gemma Lane, Ella Chandler, Alice Monaghan, Tara Norris, Sophie Mitchelmore, Carla Rudd, Paige Scholfield, Charlotte Taylor, Emily Windsor, Georgia Elwiss, Abbie Whybrow

Tash Farrant is absent for Stars following her call up to England's white-ball squad to face New Zealand. Bryony Smith will captain the side in her absence. Chloe Brewer is included in an otherwise unchanged 13-strong squad.

South East Stars squad: Bryony Smith (C), Chloe Brewer, Alice Capsey, Aylish Cranstone, Kira Chathli, Alice Davidson-Richards, Phoebe Franklin, Grace Gibbs, Dani Gregory, Emma Jones, Kalea Moore, Alexa Stonehouse, Kirstie White

Latest Southern Vipers news: Click here

Latest South East Stars news: Click here

How do I follow the match?

TV/stream: Southern Vipers will offer a live stream via the Hampshire'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?

Sunny intervals giving way to cloud with temperatures peaking around 21 degrees Celsius.

Keep up to date with the MetOffice's rolling forecast for Southampton here.

Tickets

Tickets are available for Southern Vipers versus South East Stars as part of a charity double-header also featuring a T20 between Lashings World Xi and Hampshire Cricket All Star XI.

Click here to visit the Hampshire ticket office.

Travel

Address: Botley Rd, West End, Southampton SO30 3XH

Walking: If you are walking to The Ageas Bowl, make your way along Botley Road until you reach Marshall Drive and the giant set of cricket stumps.

Then walk up Marshall Drive and head straight over the roundabout for the ground

By train: Hedge End train station is less than two miles away, approximately a 35-minute walk from The Ageas Bowl.

The No.8 bus service connects the stadium with Hedge End train station, Southampton Civic Centre or Southampton City Centre.

By car: The Ageas Bowl is just 1.2 miles from the M27, Junction 7. When exiting the motorway follow signs for The Ageas Bowl.

The Ageas Bowl offers complimentary parking for those attending meetings, weddings or events at the venue.

Cycling: There is also a free bicycle storage facility. This is located near the Hampshire Wellbeing Centre, located opposite the East Gate of the main stadium.

Prediction?

A very tight game but losing Tash Farrant is a blow for the Stars. Southern Vipers win (just).