MATCH PREVIEW: Thunder vs Sunrisers, Charlotte Edwards Cup
Coach Paul Shaw believes Thunder can turn around back-to-back defeats and still challenge for this summer Charlotte Edwards Cup, with a win over Sunrisers at Emirates Old Trafford tomorrow afternoon (2.30pm) central to that plan.
With five group games remaining, Thunder have to turn things around quickly in order to stay in the hunt for a top three finish and Finals Day qualification.
There have been signs of encouragement in losses to Western Storm at Taunton on Sunday and Blaze at Emirates Old Trafford yesterday, chiefly the fight with the ball late on to almost turn both games around.
But Shaw is targeting stronger batting performances. Against the Blaze, Thunder posted 117-6, a target reeled in by the visitors despite falling from 88-2 to 113-7, while their 154-7 against Storm was chased down.
“It’s important we build a strong foundation and get a few more runs,” said Shaw. “That’s something that we’re working on every day in training.
“We’re also working on targeting the stumps a lot more and to build pressure. When we’ve got back into games, that’s what we’ve done really well.
“We’ve not given up hope. We’re two games into the competition. If we win on Saturday and get on a roll, we can still be in the mix.”
Unfortunately, two opening defeats forms part of a winless start to 2023 for Thunder, who have also lost two and tied one added to two rainy No Results in the 50-over Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.
“We’re disappointed, there’s no doubt about that,” said Shaw. “We’re probably lacking a bit of confidence at this moment in time.
“But part of our job is to build belief at times like these. It’s important myself and the coaching staff do that to see if we can bounce back against Sunrisers.”
He added: “The game we played here against Sparks in the 50-over competition, the one we tied, we were disappointed not to win that. Also, a couple of rained off games doesn’t help.
“We’d have liked to have picked up a few wins along the way.
“But that’s the game. We have to be ready come Saturday.”
Sunrisers have also lost both of their games at the start of the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
They were beaten by Central Sparks in the competition opener before losing yesterday against South East Stars at Lord’s in a cross-Thames London derby.
Captained by Kelly Castle, they will include England off-spinner Mady Villiers and Under 19s captain Grace Scrivens, the highly-rated all-rounder.
South Africa legend Dane van Niekerk made her overseas debut against the Stars, opening the batting and hitting 17 in a total of 132-8. That was chased down by four wickets.
This is the first part of a T20 double header, with Lancashire's men facing Nottinghamshire under lights (6.30pm) in the Vitality Blast.
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