MATCH PREVIEW AND SQUAD NEWS: Lancashire Thunder v The Blaze
In-form all-rounder Fi Morris is hoping home comforts can help boost Lancashire Thunder’s bid for Finals Day qualification in the Charlotte Edwards Cup.
Lancashire Thunder v The Blaze
Charlotte Edwards Cup
Sunday June 2, 2024, 4pm
Emirates Old Trafford
Thunder Squad to face The Blaze:
Threlkeld*+, Collins, Cross, Ecclestone, Graham, Heap, Jones, Lamb, Lister, Morris F, Morris S, Norris, Smale
Thunder beat Central Sparks by three wickets at Emirates Old Trafford yesterday, chasing a target of 122, sealing a second victory in four games to solidify their place in the top four, which would seal a place at Finals Day in late June.
Morris was their standout performer with 3-22 from four overs of off-spin before anchoring the chase with a measured 43 off 38 balls opening the batting.
The 30-year-old has now taken five wickets in four games, adding another score of 41 with the bat.
“I look to contribute with both bat and ball in every game and it was a really good day,” said the region’s reigning player-of-the-season.
The Sparks game was part of a T20 double header with Lancashire’s men, who beat Durham in their opening Vitality Blast game under the Emirates Old Trafford lights.
Now, the Thunder turn their attentions to fixture number five of 10 - on Sunday at the same venue. It’s another double header with the Lightning.
However, this time the Thunder are the second match of the day, starting at 4pm against the Blaze, who have won their opening four matches to set the pace at the top of the table.
“It’s nice to be at home for a little bit,” said Morris. “It’s a quick turnaround and another double-header, which will be really good for us.
“We play the second match, and it’s one of the things that Lancashire do so well. They put us on equal pegging with the men, and having the games that way round is a little bit different to what a lot of the teams have done in the past.
“Sunday evening at Emirates Old Trafford in the sun should be good!
Blaze have won their opening four games, including against Sparks by 10 runs today (Friday) when they successfully defended a total of 134-6.
One of the early wins for last season’s finalists was against Thunder at Loughborough last Sunday. But Thunder are back on the winning trail as they bid for a second straight Finals Day appearance.
“It’s all about momentum in T20, and hopefully we can take a bit of the momentum from the Sparks win into Sunday. We came up a little bit short against The Blaze the other day, but will be looking to put that right.
“We’ve played brilliant cricket at Emirates Old Trafford all summer and are looking to make it a bit of a fortress. We know how to play here so hopefully we can do it again.”
Lancashire’s men start the day with a Vitality Blast clash with Derbyshire, starting at midday.
Opposition player to watch:
Thunder will come up against England legend Tammy Beaumont.
The Blaze opener has returned to regional duty after helping England to a 3-0 series ODI win against Pakistan earlier this week.
The 33-year-old scored only four in their victory over the Sparks at Trent Bridge.
She has played 226 internationals across all formats for England, and when at her best can take any attack apart. She scored an international best of 208 in last summer Ashes Test at Trent Bridge. Unfortunately, England lost that fixture.
Beaumont has centuries across all formats to her name for England.
She has a top-score of 41 in four regional appearances so far in 2024 and will be hoping she is able to make it third time lucky with her region this summer after they were beaten in both regional finals in 2024.
Previous meeting:
These two met at Loughborough last Sunday, the Blaze winning that by five wickets chasing 152.
Inserted, Thunder posted a competitive 151-6, underpinned by an unbeaten 63 off 50 balls from Emma Lamb. The England opener batted through the entire innings and was supported by Ailsa Lister’s middle order 44.
They shared 73 for the fifth wicket to recover the innings from 71-4 in the 11th over. New ball left-arm seamer Grace Ballinger struck twice for the hosts at the Haslegrave ground.
In reply, Thunder were given a great start as Mahika Gaur struck twice with the new ball, reducing Blaze to 12-2 in the third over. However, Kathryn Bryce, the experienced Scottish international, sparked a decisive recovery with a measured 61 off 51 balls.
She gained support from her sister Sarah with 24 and South African overseas all-rounder Nadine de Klerk with 25.
Unfortunately for Thunder, when Kathryn Bryce fell - stumped off Phoebe Graham’s seam, the damage had been done at 142-5 in the 18th over.
Blaze won their third game in three with seven balls remaining. Gaur finished with 3-39 but couldn’t prevent Thunder’s second defeat in three outings.