Lightning Cricket has announced a 15-member squad to play for the East Midlands region in the upcoming Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy. Amid these fifteen players – three players played in the final of last year’s Loughborough Lightning team in the Kia Super League.
Wicket-keeper batter Abbey Freeborn, Spin bowler Lucy Higham and all-rounder Kathryn Bryce were featured in the game. Meanwhile, nine other players are based at Loughborough University – who have been playing cricket with their studies. They are – Bethan Ellis, Bethany Harmer, Grace Ballinger, Nancy Harman, Ria Fackrell, Sarah Bryce, Shachi Pai, Sophie Munro, Teresa Graves.
The fifteen-member squad is comprised of Alicia Presland (Northamptonshire), Leah Kellogg (Derbyshire) and Ilenia Sims (Staffordshire) too.
While speaking about the Lightning squad, Head Coach Rob Taylor said, “I’m really excited by the squad we have been able to get together for the Racheal Hayhoe Flint trophy. With a mix of youth and experience, it gives us a great chance to set the standards for Lightning Cricket going forward and look at the talent our region has to offer. The group have been excellent over the build-up phase to the competition, and everyone can’t wait for some competitive cricket.”
Lightning Cricket will begin their campaign on the 29th August against Thunder at Trent Bridge. Meanwhile, the fixtures of this season’s Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy has already been announced. The tournament will start from August 29 and the final will take place on September 26.
The tournament will feature eight regional teams in a 29-day competition where each of the team will play twice over the weekend, with the sides divided into two divisions of four teams based on their geographic location. However, the venue for the match has not yet decided.
Lightning Cricket Squad:
Abbey Freeborn, Alicia Presland, Bethan Ellis, Bethany Harmer, Grace Ballinger, Ilenia Sims, Kathryn Bryce, Leah Kellogg, Lucy Higham, Nancy Harman, Ria Fackrell, Sarah Bryce, Shachi Pai, Sophie Munro, Teresa Graves
Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy groups:
North: Central Sparks, Lightning, Northern Diamonds, Thunder
South: South East Stars, Southern Vipers, Sunrisers, Western Storm
Fixture: (All times in BST)
Saturday, August 29
North Group: Central Sparks vs Northern Diamonds (Edgbaston, 10.30 am); Lightning vs Thunder (Trent Bridge, 10.30 am)
South Group: Sunrisers vs Southern Vipers (Chelmsford, 10.30 am); South-East Stars vs Western Storm (Beckenham, 10.30 am)
Monday, August 31
North Group: Thunder vs Central Sparks (TBC, 10.30 am); Northern Diamonds vs Lightning (Emirates Riverside, 10.30 am)
South Group: Western Storm vs Southern Vipers (Bristol, 10.30 am); South-East Stars vs Sunrisers (Beckenham, 10.30 am)
Saturday, September 5
North Group: Central Sparks vs Thunder (New Road, 10.30 am); Lightning vs Northern Diamonds (Grace Road, 10.30 am)
South Group: Sunrisers vs Western Storm (Chelmsford, 10.30 am); Southern Vipers vs South East Stars (Hove, 10.30 am)
Thursday, September 10
North Group: Thunder vs Northern Diamonds (TBC, 10.30 am); Central Sparks vs Lightning (New Road, 10.30 am)
South Group: Western Storm vs South East Stars (Bristol, 10.30 am); Southern Vipers vs Sunrisers (Ageas Bowl, 10.30 am)
Sunday, September 13
South Group: Southern Vipers vs Western Storm (Ageas Bowl, 10.30 am); Sunrisers vs South East Stars (Chelmsford, 10.30 am)
North Group: Thunder vs Lightning (TBC, 10.30 am); Northern Diamonds vs Central Sparks (Emerald Headingley, 10.30 am)
Saturday, September 19
South Group: South East Stars vs Southern Vipers (Kia Oval, 10.30 am); Western Storm vs Sunrisers (Bristol, 10.30 am)
North Group: Northern Diamonds vs Thunder (Emerald Headingley, 10.30 am); Lightning vs Central Sparks (Grace Road, 10.30 am)
Saturday, September 26
Final
