Southern Vipers v Northern Diamonds: Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Final 2021 - All you need to know

When is it? Where is it? Who are the players to watch? The Cricketer has all of the information you need to know ahead of the climax to the 50-over competition

Who’s competing?

Southern Vipers take on Northern Diamonds at Northamptonshire's County Ground to decide the winner of the 2021 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. The final is a repeat of the climax to 2020’s inaugural edition when Vipers reigned victorious with a 38-run victory, thanks to 6 for 34 from player of the match Charlotte Taylor and 80 for captain Georgia Adams. 

Diamonds have made a name for themselves as perennial silver medallists, having lost out in both last year’s 50-over final and this summer’s Charlotte Edwards Cup decider. But they undoubtedly possess the talent to go all the way this time, and having beaten Vipers in the CEC Cup semi-final earlier this month, they will be feeling full of confidence ahead of their third final in recent times.

Vipers have the ultimate bragging rights, however: they beat Diamonds in their last clash just six days ago, with Georgia Elwiss’ unbeaten 84 and Adams’ 67 proving too much for their counterparts to handle. 

How did they reach the final?

The Vipers qualified automatically for the final, by virtue of finishing top of the table in the group stage. With 27 points to their name, Adams’ side have won all bar one of their matches in the 2021 competition thus far, and have been the tournament’s dominant force without question. Only Central Sparks have been able to beat them in the RHFT this summer: the Vipers haven’t lost a 50-over game since June 5. 

Diamonds, meanwhile, finished second in the table and had to beat Central Sparks in the qualifier to reach the showcase. They did so with relative ease, thanks to an unbeaten century partnership from Ami Campbell and Sterre Kalis, and a superb all round bowling performance that restricted the Sparks to just 175 for 5 from their 50 overs. They only lost one more match than the Vipers on their way to Northampton – and that was to their opponents in Northampton.

Which players should I watch?

Elwiss and Adams have had superb campaigns for Vipers. Elwiss racked up 84 last time around against the Diamonds and made a stunning 112 versus bottom side Sunrisers the week before – remaining unbeaten in both innings. Skipper Adams, meanwhile, struck valuable half-centuries in the same two matches. Between them, they have made 485 runs in the competition this season. They are vital assets to the Vipers’ batting line-up and will be crucial in their attempts to post a match-winning innings total. Maia Bouchier is back from England duty, too: she will add depth to the Vipers’ top order, and is proven class. 

With the ball, Charlotte Taylor will be looking to repeat her heroics from last season’s final. She’s taken 11 wickets this campaign at an average of 19.09, making her the seventh-highest wicket-taker of the competition. Seamer Lauren Bell is one to keep an eye on too, after a strong showing for Southern Brave in the inaugural Women’s Hundred, as is left-armer Tara Norris.

For Diamonds, Sterre Kalis is in sublime touch. The Dutch batter, aged just 22, is averaging 45.33 in the competition so far, hitting 272 runs including two half-centuries. And watch out for 20-year-old Bess Heath, too: she has whacked 187 runs from just four innings at a strike rate of 119.87, and is in dangerous touch coming into the final.

The Diamonds also possess arguably the competition’s most potent bowling attack. Seamer Beth Langston, along with slow left armer Linsey Smith and legspinner Katie Levick, have been some of the tournament’s stand-out performers with ball in hand. Langston and Levick have taken 11 wickets apiece so far, while Smith is out in front with 12. Together, they make a formidable attack: if anyone can stop the Vipers, it’s them.

^{Maia Bouchier returns for Vipers}

What’s the team news?

England have released Bouchier from international duty, and she will be expected to slot back into the Vipers’ top order. But she is the only member of England’s ODI squad to have been granted permission to link up with their domestic side ahead of the final: Charlie Dean and Danni Wyatt miss out for Vipers, as will Katherine Brunt and Nat Sciver for Diamonds.

Expected line-ups:

Southern Vipers: Georgia Adams, Ella McCaughan, Maia Bouchier, Gaby Lewis, Georgia Elwiss, Paige Scholfield, Emily Windsor, Carla Rudd, Tara Norris, Lauren Bell, Charlotte Taylor

Northern Diamonds: Hollie Armitage, Rachel Hopkins, Sterre Kalis, Leah Dobson, Ami Campbell, Bess Heath, Linsey Smith, Beth Langston, Rachel Slater, Phoebe Graham, Katie Levick

What to expect?

It’s fair to suggest that these are the finest sides in the competition and this represents the right line-up in terms of performance across the season. The sides have previous and the stage is set for an absolute corker of a finale.

Vipers are slight favourites, with their dominant record but it would be foolish to totally write off Diamonds, who appear well-placed to pose a real test. It’s anyone’s guess who will come up trumps on the day but a contest fitting of the occasion is all but guarenteed.