Sky to televise Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final

England Women's centrally contracted players have also been allocated among the eight regional teams

The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy final will be staged at Edgbaston, with the final broadcast live on Sky Sports.

The tournament will see the eight new regional teams to emerge out of the restructuring of domestic women’s cricket face off in two groups, with the group-winners progressing to the final.

Members of England Women’s 24-strong training group ahead of their five-match T20I series against West Indies have been made available to play in the opening two rounds of the one-off competition, while those not included in the final squad selected by head coach Lisa Keightley will return to their allocated regional hubs.

Of England’s centrally contracted players, Katherine Brunt, Nat Sciver and Lauren Winfield have all been allocated to Northern Diamonds, while Kate Cross and Sophie Ecclestone will play for the Lancashire-based Thunder hub.

England Women to face West Indies in five-match T20I series in late September

Amy Jones and Sarah Glenn, both of whom represented Loughborough Lightning in the Kia Super League, will play for Central Sparks, with Heather Knight, Anya Shrubsole and Katie George all representing Western Storm.

Danni Wyatt and Georgia Elwiss have been allocated to Southern Vipers, with Freya Davies joining South East Stars. Mady Villiers and Fran Wilson will feature for Sunrisers, with Tammy Beaumont and Kirstie Gordon playing for Lightning.

ECB managing director of women's cricket, Clare Connor, said: “We're delighted that Sky have chosen to show the final of this special-edition Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy. They have for a long time been excellent partners and champions of the women's game and we're hugely grateful to them for their continued support.

“Edgbaston is a brilliant venue for the final, with a great track record of hosting domestic finals. It’s also a great fit for this summer because of Rachael’s links to the West Midlands.”

The Cricketer understands that while Sky will show the final of the women's competition, the broadcaster is not currently planning to televise the five-day final of the Bob Willis Trophy.

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