MATCH PREVIEW AND SQUAD NEWS: Lancashire Thunder vs Southern Vipers
Squad to face Southern Vipers:
Ellie Threlkeld*+, Alice Clarke, Danni Collins, Phoebe Graham, Naomi Dattani, Liberty Heap, Hannah Jones, Emma Lamb, Katie Mack, Fi Morris , Sophie Morris, Tara Norris, Seren Smale
Ellie Threlkeld has heaped praise on departing Australian overseas batter Katie Mack, saying of her presence within the Lancashire Thunder set-up this summer: “She’s been a dream, really.”
Mack is one of three Thunder batters to have topped the 300-run mark in the ongoing Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, her return of 324 from nine matches sandwiched in between Seren Smale’s 360 and Emma Lamb’s 313.
That haul includes one century and one fifty, the latter an unbeaten 52 in Wednesday’s win over Central Sparks at Worcester to keep Thunder’s semi-final hopes alive.
It was a third win in nine games and has left them nine points behind fourth-placed South East Stars with five games remaining and 25 points to play for.
Fixture number 10 sees them face champions Southern Vipers at Sedbergh on Sunday (10.30am). They are top of the table having won seven of nine games so far.
It is set to be Mack’s final fixture for Thunder this summer.
The initial plan was for her to return for the final stages of the RHFT through late August and into September once the Hundred has been completed, but she has since been called up to play for Australia A in a series against India.
Captain Threlkeld has praised Mack’s contributions on and off the field, also saying the skipper of the Australian Capital Territory side has helped Thunder’s wicketkeeper-batter develop her leadership skills during the last few months.
Despite only being 30, Mack is a veteran of more than 250 senior women’s appearances across 50-over and T20 cricket during her career, both at home in Australia and abroad. She has amassed almost 6,500 runs in that time.
“Katie’s been brilliant on the pitch but also off it as well. She’s added a lot to the group,” said Threlkeld.
“She’s a great girl with loads of energy, and the way she goes about her cricket and the day-to-day training is exactly the sort of role model we want for our group. That’s been brilliant.
“And, obviously, she’s put in some brilliant performances with the bat. She’s also very good in the field as well.
“She’s offered us a lot. She’s a great cricketer and a great person as well.
“We’ve absolutely loved having her around.”
Threlkeld added: “She’s also captained ACT for a long time back in Australia, and I think as a leader myself she’s been huge for me. It’s been a big help.”
Mack is heading back to Australia on Monday, immediately after the Vipers game at Sedbergh.
A win in Cumbria - what would be Thunder’s first ever in the regional era against the Vipers - would give the side a huge lift ahead of the final four group games of the season from late August onwards.
In Wednesday’s win over Sparks, Mack - from number three in the order - provided opener Lamb, who top-scored with 71 not out, with excellent support as Thunder successfully chased down a target of 145.
The pair shared an unbroken 122 for the third wicket, navigating away from danger at 25-2 to secure the full five points on offer.
Earlier, Tara Norris claimed a sensational 4-18 from 10 overs of left-arm swing bowling to put the skids under Sparks at 144 all out.
In that game, Lamb became the first Thunder batter to post 1,000 runs in Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy history.
“Hopefully we can finish the season on a roll and get to Finals Day,” said Norris, in the immediate aftermath of the Sparks win.
Norris will be facing her former team in the Vipers, who are aiming for a second successive Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and a fourth in all. Norris was involved in their first two successes in 2020 and 2021.
Vipers have again been excellent this season, though tasted disappointment in the Charlotte Edwards Cup last month when they were beaten semi-finalists.
In 50-over cricket, as aforementioned, they have won seven of nine games so far, including beating South East Stars on Wednesday by seven wickets chasing 121.
England seamer Freya Davies claimed four wickets and Australian overseas all-rounder Charli Knott struck twice with her off-spin added to 57 not out opening the batting.
Vipers beat Thunder by three wickets chasing 207 at Wormsley in early May.