Sunrisers have named a thirteen-strong squad to face an MCC Invitational Women’s XI at Lord’s on Friday for the London and East Elite Regional side’s debut appearance at the Home of Cricket.
In a showcase of Women’s cricket, Sunrisers maiden appearance at the world’s most famous ground will see them going head to head with an MCC side containing both past and future England stars.
After kicking off their 2022 season with a convincing five-wicket win over Lightning in Chelmsford, the squad head into the game off the back of two hard-fought intra-club T20 matches at Radlett, where Team Naomi got the better of Team Kelly in both games – featuring the majority of the Senior and Academy squads.
Kelly Castle will lead the team out on Friday afternoon, after being named captain for the 2022 season, with Naomi Dattani supporting as vice-captain.
Jo Gardner returns to Lord’s for the first time since lifting the Hundred trophy as part of the Oval Invincibles squad last summer, whilst Dattani, Amara Carr, and Grace Scrivens all played there for London Spirit during the competition. Cordelia Griffith and Gaya Gole both played for Middlesex Women in their 2019 London Cup victory at the Home of Cricket.
Mia Rogers or Academy wicket-keeper Scarlett Hughes will challenge for the spot behind the stumps, with Carr yet to return to fitness after a hand injury sustained in training last month.
Another two Academy players, Flo Miller and Jodi Grewcock, have impressed enough during pre-season to be named in the squad for Friday’s exciting contest.
New signing Abtaha Maqsood is currently back in Scotland studying, before returning next week to prepare for the first Charlotte Edwards Cup match, in Chelmsford, on 14 May.
Sonali Patel misses out through injury, and Mady Villiers will be with her teammates during the day whilst she builds up her return to cricket, after her winter away at the Women’s Ashes and T20 World Cup.
Sunrisers will grace the hallowed turf on a special day of cricket, where there will be three separate T20 matches played throughout the day:
09.45 to 12.30 - MCC 'Red' vs MCC 'Yellow'
12.50 to 15:35 - MCC Women vs Middlesex Women
15:55 to 18:35 - MCC Invitational Women's XI vs Sunrisers
MCC and Middlesex members may use their membership card to gain access to the ground and Pavilion (no guests admitted). Non-members are of course welcome too, on payment of the gate entry price of £5 for adults, £2.50 for over 65's, with children under 16 allowed entry for free. Buy tickets here, or click here for more details.
We look forward to seeing you at Lord’s.
Sunrisers have named the following squad:
Kelly Castle (captain)
Naomi Dattani (vice-captain)
Kate Coppack
Jo Gardner
Gaya Gole
Jodi Grewcock
Cordelia Griffith
Scarlett Hughes
Lissy Macleod
Flo Miller
Mia Rogers
Grace Scrivens
Katherine Speed