Katherine Speed and Academy bowler Esmae MacGregor have been called into the squad for the first time this season ahead of our trip to face Southern Vipers in Hove, in the final Charlotte Edwards Cup game of the season.
Jo Gardner suffered a hand injury last Sunday which has forced her to sit out of the trip south, whilst Grace Scrivens is away on England duty, having been called into a red ball training camp for England and England A ahead of the upcoming games with Australia.
Cordelia Griffith is named in the squad and will hope to be return to the starting lineup, after missing Sunday’s defeat as a precaution after reporting some discomfort to her thigh.
Katherine Speed makes her first appearance in the matchday squad, and will be able to provide an option with both bat and ball, whilst Academy pace bowler Esmae MacGregor is involved in the First Team squad for the first time. At 18 years old she has progressed through the Essex pathway, and impressed over the winter, having been invited to join the senior group for some training sessions.
Sunrisers head into the game off the back of a defeat to The Blaze on Sunday, in a game dominated by their three England internationals. Tammy Beaumont and Nat Sciver-Brunt shared a partnership of over 100, whilst Sarah Glenn starred with both bat and ball.
Southern Vipers are all but guaranteed to join The Blaze at Saturday’s finals day, currently occupying second place after four wins and two defeats in the competition so far, beating Northern Diamonds by 16 runs last time out. Georgia Adams (42*) and Nancy Harman (32*) stood out with the bat for the defending champions, whilst England legend Anya Shrubsole took four for 18 with the ball.
The game starts at 7.00pm at The 1st Central County Ground in Hove. We wish a safe journey to those who are making the journey south, or you can tune into the Live Stream on Vipers’ YouTube channel and in the Match Centre on the day.
Sunrisers have named the following squad:
Kelly Castle (captain)
Amara Carr
Kate Coppack
Eva Gray
Cordelia Griffith
Scarlett Hughes
Lissy Macleod
Esmae MacGregor
Abtaha Maqsood
Flo Miller
Katherine Speed
Dané van Niekerk
Mady Villiers
Up next
Our next game is also against Southern Vipers, when the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy returns in July. That starts at 10.30 on Sunday 2 July, played at the Cloud County Ground in Chelmsford. This game has been marketed as our Community Day – where you can get unlimited child tickets at £1 each after buying five adult tickets at £10 each. More ticket information can be found here.