Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024 Match 2,3 &4 – Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions – All Matches - May 19th

Here are the Fantasy Cricket Predictions and Betting Tips for the Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024 Match 2, 3 & 4 – All Matches - to be played on May 19th. Western Storm v SE Stars (Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol), Thunder v Northern Diamonds (Emirates Old Trafford), and Central Sparks v Sunrisers (New Road)

 

 

Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024 Sunday 19 May

Match 2 - Western Storm v SE Stars (Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol)

Form

WESTERN STORM

Captain: Sophie Luff

Head coach: Trevor Griffin

2023 finish: Sixth

2023 highest run-scorer: Fran Wilson (186)

2023 highest wicket taker: Dani Gibson (8)

The big question: Capable of upsetting even the best teams on their day, Storm have what it takes to cause a surprise or two. It remains to be seen whether they can muster the consistency needed to establish themselves as genuine title challengers. Much will depend on the continued progress of emerging young players such as Sophia Smale, Niamh Holland and Emma Corney.

Player to watch: Amanda-Jade Wellington. The Australia international has afforded the Storm attack a new dimension. An experienced performer, who can spin the ball both ways, she will exert pressure and take wickets. A potential match winner.

Young gun: Sophia Smale. Already acknowledged as a talented slow left arm spin bowler, the England under-19 international has spent the winter working hard on her batting. Determined to attain true all-rounder status, she is certainly one to watch.

Final thought: With Wellington joining Sophia Smale and Chloe Skelton this summer, spin will undoubtedly be Storm's strong suite. Expected to be without the services of England trio Heather Knight, Dani Gibson and Lauren Filer, they are likely to remain heavily reliant upon the experienced pair of Sophie Luff and Fran Wilson for runs. Lack of strength in depth may count against them.

SOUTH EAST STARS

Captain: Bryony Smith

Head Coach: Johann Myburgh

2023 finish: Fifth

2023 highest run-scorer: Bryony Smith (256)

2023 highest wicket-taker: Danielle Gregory & Phoebe Franklin (7)

The big question: Traditionally, Stars have been disrupted in the shorter format by England call-ups, but with only Alice Capsey on duty versus Pakistan can they recapture the form which saw them become inaugural winners in 2021.

Player to watch: Sophia Dunkley – Overlooked by England, if Dunkley can return to her destructive best, she will lend support to Bryony Smith and a top order which lost three wickets in the powerplay three times last season.

Young gun: Alexa Stonehouse – Fresh from her exploits at the Women’s U19s World Cup, Stonehouse offers the prospect of wickets in the powerplay, plus some power hitting either down the order or even employed as a pinch-hitter should that role be required.

Final thought: Even making allowances for international call-ups, Stars were underwhelming in this competition in 2023. Their batting either misfired in the powerplay or failed to build on good starts given by Bryony Smith. They also had no bowler among the top 10 wicket-takers.

Squads

Western Storm - Imogen Cooper, Emma Corney, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Alex Griffiths, Lola Harris, Nicole Harvey, Niamh Holland, Katie Jones, Heather Knight, Sophie Luff (c), Claire Nicholas, Isobel Patel, Mollie Robbins, Robecca Rodgers, Chloe Skelton, Sophia Smale, Isla Thompson, Fran Wilson, Nat Wraith - Overseas: Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia - April-September)

SE Stars - Maddie Blinkhorn-Jones, Alice Capsey, Kira Chathli, Priyanaz Chatterji, Claudie Cooper, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Aylish Cranstone, Alice Davidson-Richards, Sophia Dunkley, Tash Farrant, Phoebe Franklin, Dani Gregory, Chloe Hill, Emma Jones, Charlotte Lambert, Ryana MacDonald-Gay, Bethan Miles, Kalea Moore, Paige Scholfield, Bryony Smith (c), Jemima Spence, Alexa Stonehouse, Kirstie White

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* - PrePlay

Who will win the toss? – SE Stars

Who will win? –  SE Stars

Top Batter (Runs Scored) –  Bryony Smith - SE Stars, Sophia Smale - Western Storm

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Sophia Dunkley - SE Stars, Sophia Smale - Western Storm

Most Sixes – Bryony Smith - SE Stars, Sophia Smale - Western Storm

Player of the Match – Sophia Dunkley - SE Stars

Team Scores Batting first – SE Stars 130+, Western Storm 120+

Match Handicap – SE Stars

 

 

Match 3 - Thunder v Northern Diamonds (Emirates Old Trafford)

Form

THUNDER

Captain: Ellie Threlkeld

Head Coach: Chris Read

2023 finish: Third (beaten in semi-final on Finals Day)

2023 highest run-scorer: Fi Morris (209)

2023 highest wicket-taker: Olivia Bell (11)

The big questions: Can Thunder better last season’s semi-final finish? They advanced beyond the group stage for the first time in either regional competition. Despite being beaten by eventual champions Southern Vipers, it felt like the moment this region arrived on the scene.

Player to watch: Thunder have signed powerful Aussie batting all-rounder Georgia Voll as their T20 overseas player. A key member of the Brisbane Heat team at home, she scored a red-ball double century off only 238 balls opening the batting in an Australia Possibles v Probables trial match in March.

Young gun: Thunder have significant top-order strength, and in-form England A star Seren Smale is central to that - Voll and Emma Lamb too. Wrexham-born Smale, 19, is the second leading run-scorer in the early-season Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy with 286, posting scores of 99, 58 and 67.

Final thought: It hasn’t been the start to the season Thunder would have wanted, winning only two of six 50-over matches. But they lost some games that on another day they would have won, and there have been signs of progression under new coach Chris Read, the former England Men’s wicketkeeper-batter. But he will know that winning is the only definite way to prove that.

NORTHERN DIAMONDS

Captain: Hollie Armitage

Head Coach: Dani Hazell

2023 finish: Fourth

2023 highest run-scorer: Hollie Armitage (216)

2023 highest wicket-taker: Katie Levick (12)

The big question: The Diamonds were hurt by last season’s group-stage exit, missing out on Finals Day following a last-day defeat to ‘Roses’ rivals Thunder, who qualified instead. Diamonds fell away having started with four wins. Can they use the painful memories positively this season?

Player to watch: Leg-spinners in short-form cricket are gold dust, and in experienced campaigner Katie Levick the Diamonds have the very best in English domestic cricket. In 21 Charlotte Edwards Cup appearances, she has two five-wicket hauls to her name.

Young gun: All-rounder Phoebe Turner, 20, is one to watch. A developing seamer and a middle order batter with power and poise, she is a confident cricketer who has enjoyed an excellent start to the season in 50-over cricket with the ball, claiming 10 wickets.

Final thought: The Diamonds have enjoyed an encouraging start to the season in the 50-over Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, winning four of their first six matches. They are a team with experience of big matches having reached four finals in all across the two formats since 2020. They won’t be favourites for this title, but write them off at your peril.

Squads

Northern Diamonds - Hollie Armitage (c), Leah Dobson, Rebecca Duckworth, Katherine Fraser, Abi Glen, Grace Hall, Bess Heath, Sterre Kalis, Beth Langston, Katie Levick, Emma Marlow, Lizzie Scott, Rachel Slater, Phoebe Turner, Sophia Turner, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Jess Woolston - Overseas: Erin Burns (Australia – April-July)

Thunder - Olivia Bell, Alice Clarke, Danni Collins, Kate Cross, Naomi Dattani, Sophie Ecclestone, Mahika Gaur, Phoebe Graham, Liberty Heap, Laura Jackson, Hannah Jones, Emma Lamb, Ailsa Lister, Fi Morris, Sophie Morris, Daisy Mullan, Tara Norris, Shachi Pai, Hannah Rainey, Seren Smale, Ellie Threlkeld (c) - Overseas: Katie Mack (Australia - April-May, August-September), Georgia Voll (Australia - June-July)

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* - PrePlay

Who will win the toss? – Northern Diamonds

Who will win? –  Northern Diamonds 

Top Batter (Runs Scored) – Hollie Armitage - Northern Diamonds, Georgia Voll - Thunder

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Katie Levick - Northern Diamonds, Georgia Voll - Thunder

Most Sixes – Hollie Armitage - Northern Diamonds, Georgia Voll - Thunder

Player of the Match – Hollie Armitage - Northern Diamonds

Team Scores Batting first – Northern Diamonds 140+, Thunder 120+

Match Handicap – Northern Diamonds

Match 4 - Central Sparks v Sunrisers (New Road)

Form

CENTRAL SPARKS

Captain: Eve Jones

Head Coach: Lloyd Tennant

2023 finish: Seventh

2023 highest run-scorer: Erin Burns (185)

2023 highest wicket-taker: Erin Burns & Bethan Ellis (9)

The big questions: How will Sparks fare without Erin Burns, their top scorer and joint leading wicket-taker last year? Will Burns’ fellow Australian import, Courtney Webb, be similarly effective? Can Sparks find the consistency needed to emulate their progress to the final in 2022?

Player to watch: Katie George – dynamic all-round force in the team who can turn games in all three ways, as a forceful batter, potent left-arm seamer and exceptional fielder.

Young gun: Charis Pavely – batting all-rounder who burst into the Sparks side last summer with a style which earned her a first professional contract and selection for England Under 19s. Fearless with the bat – a potential T20 matchwinner.

Final thought: If Sparks can fire collectively rather than sporadically, then they can challenge hard. That ability to produce the best consistently is what separates winners from also-rans.

SUNRISERS

Captain: Grace Scrivens

Head Coach: Andy Tennant

2023 finish: Eighth

2023 highest run-scorer: Cordelia Griffith (205)

2023 highest wicket-taker: Mady Villiers (10)

The big question: Sunrisers’ transformation into serious contenders in 50-over cricket during the past year has been remarkable. Can they transfer that winning habit to the T20 format, having completed the tournament’s past two editions without a victory?

Player to watch: Having impressed in last winter’s Women’s Big Bash League, Australian seamer Nicola Hancock brings pace and variation to Sunrisers’ bowling attack. The 28-year-old will represent a potent wicket-taking weapon in both the powerplay and death overs.

Young gun: Academy graduate Amu Surenkumar, still only 17, contributes runs in the middle order as well as providing a useful medium-pace option and will surely benefit from her recent experience as part of England Under-19s’ T20 side in Sri Lanka.

Final thought: While Dane van Niekerk’s planned return was eventually shelved, Sunrisers can still turn to fast-scoring batters like Cordelia Griffith, Grace Scrivens and Jodi Grewcock, along with a range of spin options and a top-quality seamer in Nicola Hancock. They should have enough to be competitive and win some games, even if a knockout place might remain elusive.

Squads

Sunrisers - Amara Carr, Kelly Castle, Kate Coppack, Ariana Dowse, Jo Gardner, Eva Gray, Jodi Grewcock, Cordelia Griffith, Esmae MacGregor, Lissy Macleod, Abtaha Maqsood, Flo Miller, Jess Olorenshaw, Charley Phillips, Grace Scrivens (c), Katherine Speed, Amu Surenkumar, Mady Villiers - Overseas: Nicola Hancock (Australia – April-May, six matches), Dane van Niekerk (South Africa - from May 19)

Central Sparks - Ellie Anderson, Em Arlott, Hannah Baker, Chloe Brewer, Ami Campbell, Georgia Davis, Poppy Davies, Bethan Ellis, Ria Fackrell, Abbey Freeborn, Katie George, Amy Jones, Eve Jones (c), Charis Pavely, Davina Perrin, Grace Potts, Issy Wong - Overseas: Courtney Webb (Australia - from May)

Cricket Betting Tips and Match Predictions* - PrePlay

Who will win the toss? – Central Sparks

Who will win? –  Sunrisers

Top Batter (Runs Scored) – Grace Scrivens - Sunrisers,  Katie George - Central Sparks

Top Bowler (Wickets taken) – Nicola Hancock - Sunrisers, Katie George - Central Sparks

Most Sixes – Grace Scrivens - Sunrisers,  Katie George - Central Sparks

Player of the Match – Amu Surenkumar - Sunrisers

Team Scores Batting first – Sunrisers 130+,  Central Sparks 110+

Match Handicap – Sunrisers

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*NB these predictions may be changed nearer the start of the match once the final starting teams have been announced and we will be running ‘In-Play’ features, so stay tuned.

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