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 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy...
Fixture: Southern Vipers v Central Sparks
Venue: 1st Central County Ground, Hove
Dates: Saturday, June 5, 2021
Start time: 10.30am
What's the lowdown?
It’s a top of the table clash, with both teams getting their seasons off to the perfect start. With two victories apiece, who will maintain their unbeaten run?
The Vipers eased past Lightning in their first round, chasing down their total of 214 for the loss of six wickets. It was a complete performance from a strong side, showing plenty of calm in a chase.
In the second round, it was their bowling that did the damage, dismissing South East Stars out for 137, knocking it off inside 29 overs.
In contrast, Centrals Sparks were pushed hard in their opener, scraping home by two wickets against Northern Diamonds. It took some blistering hitting from Sarah Glenn to see them over the line in a tense battle. She bludgeoned 71 off 52 balls including six maximums to claw her team over the line.
Last time out Amy Jones scored her second century in two games, decimating Western Storm with 163 not out off 114 balls to set up a comfortable win.
Who should I watch out for?
For the Vipers, Charlotte Dean and Charlotte Taylor have had impressive starts to the season, sharing nine wickets between them in the first two games. Taylor has five at 10.20, whilst Dean has four scalps at 18.50. With the bat, Danni Wyatt has been the linchpin of their run chases. The top-order batter has two half-centuries to her name this season and is averaging 117.
Issy Wong is Central Sparks' eyecatching performer; the young fast bowler who aims to be the first to break the 80mph barrier in the women's game. She took a five-for in their first game, which set the Sparks up for a nerve-jangling win. Meanwhile, Jones is the in-form player in the competition, kicking her tournament off with two centuries, the second being her highest List A score. She tops the run-scoring charts on 277.
What's the team news?
It remains to be seen which of the Vipers squad are available beyond this weekend's third round. Danni Wyatt is in contention but is yet to play an England Test. Georgia Adams was last summer's breakout star and awaits full international recognition while Lauren Bell did spend last year training with the team.
For Sparks, This is certainly likely to be spinner Sarah Glenn and 'keeper-batter Amy Jones' last appearance of the competition while Izzy Wong and Emily Arlott have both been name-checked by captain Heather Knight in relation to selection.
Southern Vipers squad: Georgia Adams, Lauren Bell, Maia Bouchier, Ella Chandler, Charlotte Dean, Ariana Dowse, Georgia Elwiss, Gemma Lane, Cassidy McCarthy, Ella McCaughan, Alice Monaghan, Tara Norris, Carla Rudd, Paige Scholfield, Charlotte Taylor, Finty Trussler, Emily Windsor, Danni Wyatt
Central Sparks squad: Eve Jones, Emily Arlott, Hannah Baker, Thea Brookes, Clare Boycott, Steph Butler, Gwen Davies, Poppy Davies, Georgia Davis, Ria Fackrell, Sarah Glenn, Chloe Hill, Milly Home, Amy Jones, Marie Kelly, Anisha Patel, Grace Potts, Liz Russell, Issy Wong
Latest Southern Vipers news: Click here
Latest Central Sparks news: Click here
What's the weather forecast?
Hove is looking bright and sunny for the match tomorrow with no chance of rain. Temperatures will rise to 20 degrees Celsius during the day before cooling.
It’s going to be a scorching day on the south coast. It is predicted to be 20 degrees for most of the day with no chance of rain.
Keep up to date with the MetOffice’s rolling forecast for Hove: Click here
How do I follow the match?
TV/stream Southern Vipers will carry a live stream on Sussex 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
Adults are £7, youth tickets are £3, and junior tickets are £1. Visit the Sussex box office: Click here
Travel
Address: The 1st Central County Ground, Eaton Road, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 3AN
Parking: Extremely limited at the ground. There is paid-for on-road parking nearby.
By train: Hove Railway Station is a 10-minute walk from the ground. Leave the station and head South on Goldstone Villas, at the bottom of the road turn left onto Eaton Road. Cross over The Drive continuing along Eaton Road, The 1st Central County Ground will appear on your left-hand side.
Brighton Railway Station is approximately a mile and a half from the Club. There are regular rail services from Brighton Station to Hove Station. There is also a taxi rank located just outside Brighton Station, together with a bus terminal.
By bus: The No.7 bus runs past the North (Cromwell Road) end of the ground with several stops near the ground. This service is the George Street, Hove to Brighton Marina service and serves both Hove and Brighton Rail Stations.
This bus runs approximately every 10 minutes and around every 15 minutes on Sundays. The 21 & 21A Brighton Marina to Goldstone Valley service stops outside the main entrance to the ground; these are less frequent but do run through the central Hove and Brighton areas. For up to date information on these services and for detailed route map information click here.
Prediction?
Despite both teams being unbeaten, Sparks have had to work harder for their two victories. Vipers, however, have been incredibly consistent and have produced two complete performances in both games. Vipers Win.
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