Sunrisers Head Coach, Andy Tennant, has named a squad of thirteen for tomorrow’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy season opener against Western Storm.
Over the winter, Grace Scrivens was named the captain of the fifty over side for the 2024 season, after the side won the final four games last season under her captaincy.
Overseas signing Nicola Hancock comes into the squad having landed at the start of the week, as she begins a six-match stint with us at the start of the RHFT.
Hancock adds great experience to the bowling lineup that is missing Eva Gray and Kelly Castle to injury, although both are closing in on a return to action.
Kate Coppack claimed five wickets against The Blaze during the week, and will be excited to continue her form with the ball after a brilliant summer in 2023. Young seamers Esmae MacGregor and Charley Phillips also provide useful pace options.
Cordelia Griffith and Mady Villiers both scored unbeaten half-centuries in the final warm-up game, whilst Scrivens, Flo Miller and Jo Gardner have all looked assured over the past two weeks.
Jodi Grewcock and Amu Surenkumar returned from Sri Lanka last week after touring with England U19s, and have both been included in the matchday squad after impressive performances last summer.
Amara Carr has looked sharp behind the stumps in pre-season, whilst Ariana Dowse has recovered from injury that kept her out of action in training to get valuable game time in the past week.
Sunrisers finished the last campaign superbly, with a run of four wins in September that catapulted the side into fourth place – narrowly missing out on a place in the eliminator.
The first of those wins came against Western Storm in a superb display at Radlett, where a terrific bowling display restricted Storm to just 143, which was chased down with over 16 overs to spare. After beating Southern Vipers on the opening day last season, Sunrisers travel high in confidence aiming to produce another opening day victory.
The game starts at 10.30am, at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff. Tickets are available to buy on the day, at £10 for adults and £5 for children. If you can’t make it to the Welsh capital, make sure you tune in to watch the free live stream during the day, on the Western Storm YouTube channel, alongside updates on our social media channels. We wish a safe travel to those of you joining us in Cardiff.
Sunrisers have named the following squad:
Grace Scrivens (captain)
Amara Carr
Kate Coppack
Ariana Dowse
Jo Gardner
Jodi Grewcock
Cordelia Griffith
Nicola Hancock
Esmae MacGregor
Flo Miller
Charley Phillips
Amu Surenkumar
Mady Villiers
Up next
After the weekend, we travel to Manchester where we take on Thunder in our second RHFT game of the season – to be played at Old Trafford on Wednesday (10.30 start).
We then host The Blaze at Essex’s Cloud County Ground in Chelmsford on Saturday 27 April, 10.30 start. Entry is free to Essex, Middlesex, and Northamptonshire members. Tickets cost £10 for adults and £5 for Under 18s, and can be booked online or over the phone from the Essex Ticket Office on 01245 254010.
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