MATCH PREVIEW: Lancashire Thunder v Sunrisers
The Lancashire Thunder camp did not shy away from the fact that just weren’t good enough in defeat to Charlotte Edwards Cup champions Southern Vipers.
Lancashire Thunder v Sunrisers
Charlotte Edwards Cup
Sunday June 9, 2024, 1pm
Blackpool Cricket Club, Stanley Park
Lancashire Thunder squad to face Southern Vipers:
Ellie Threlkeld*+, Danni Collins, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Phoebe Graham, Liberty Heap, Grace Johnson, Emma Lamb, Katie Mack, Fi Morris , Sophie Morris, Tara Norris, Seren Smale
Bowled out for 85, they were brushed aside by seven wickets at the hands of a Vipers side who are bidding for a third straight T20 title.
However, the good news is that their chance to bounce back comes quickly. They are back on the horse tomorrow afternoon at Blackpool, when Sunrisers head to the seaside (1pm).
“It was a bad day at the office,” reflected England spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who was Thunder’s only performer of note with 2-23 from four overs against Vipers.
“We just have to go again on Sunday and put on a show.
“There’s still a lot to play for, and I’m very optimistic we can qualify. This team is capable of so much more than what we showed (against Vipers). Hopefully we can get back on the winning streak.”
With four games left, Thunder are four points adrift of the top four places.
That is where they need to be in order to qualify for Finals Day at Derby on June 22 - something Thunder achieved last year with Ecclestone in the side.
She definitely has designs on another showpiece occasion with the team and club she loves so dearly.
“We (herself and Kate Cross) have a couple more games with Thunder before we join up with England for the New Zealand series,” continued legendary left-armer Ecclestone. “It’s a hectic schedule. But I always love playing for Thunder.
“I’d love to be able to leave this group with a couple of wins on the board and to still be able to qualify.
“Hopefully then I could join back up with them on Finals Day.”
Ecclestone and Thunder know all too well how quickly things can change in T20 cricket. Last season, they won four of their last five matches to romp into Finals Day, where they were beaten semi-finalists.
They currently have two wins and four defeats to their name.
“T20 cricket is definitely like that, it’s a momentum thing, and things can change quickly,” she continued. “If we can get a win against Sunrisers, we’re back in the running.”
Thunder are sat fifth in the table on nine points, one place and one point above Sunrisers, who have also won two and lost four. They are captained by batting all-rounder Grace Scrivens and have Australian seamer Nicola Hancock as their overseas player.
In the build-up to facing Sunrisers, Ecclestone has also spoken about her love for Lancashire Thunder and her determination to help push forwards a women’s structure she definitely thinks is on the up.
“This club is a massive part of my life,” said the Chester-born star who first pulled on the Red Rose in county cricket in 2015. “I love playing for Lancashire, for Thunder and with this group of girls.
“What this club has given me is a lot, so I feel like I need to give something back.
“Things are looking really exciting moving forwards here. As I say, I love playing for Thunder. I’ll always come back and play as much as I can when there’s time. It’s really exciting to come back and play.
“Long may it continue.”
Ecclestone is ranked as the world’s number one bowler by the ICC both in one-day and T20 cricket.
It is another big year coming up for the 25-year-old who recently reached 100 career ODI wickets.
England have a T20 World Cup to play in Bangladesh in October, and their preparations continue with a home white ball series against New Zealand, starting on June 26.
For club and country this summer, Ecclestone has taken 20 wickets in 11 appearances, including nine in five T20 and 50-over outings for Thunder. So things are certainly looking positive on the form front.
“It’s hard when there’s not many runs on the board and you have to keep the field up,” she said, with a wry smile in reference to the Vipers game.“But I feel great. I’m playing a lot of cricket at the minute, which is keeping me in rhythm. I’m very excited about the year ahead.”
Fingers crossed, that does not just include international success but a regional triumph too.
Opposition player to watch
Sunrisers captain Grace Scrivens is one for the future, no doubt. But, at 20, she is an all-rounder who is almost performing in the present.
Scrivens is a left-handed opening batter who bowls some off-spin.
She is a former skipper of the England Under 19s and also has extensive experience with the England Lions, including this winter in India and New Zealand alongside Emma Lamb and Seren Smale.
Classy and composed Scrivens - an old head on young shoulders type - scored a superb 64 not out in victory over Northern Diamonds at Northampton last Sunday, guiding her side home with a boundary off the last ball in pursuit of 124.
Previous meeting
Thunder beat Sunrisers by seven wickets in last season’s Charlotte Edwards Cup, at Emirates Old Trafford at the end of May. It was a victory crucial to their run to Finals Day.
Oh how they would love similar tomorrow!
Having elected to bat, Sunrisers were definitely light with 116-8, including a busy 36 from Cordelia Griffith. Kate Cross and Emma Lamb struck twice apiece for the hosts.
In reply, Thunder knocked off the runs very comfortably, with 3.3 overs remaining.
Libby Heap led the way with 46 off 49 balls, falling just short of what would have been her maiden regional fifty.
She shared 64 inside 10 overs for the first wicket with Lamb, who continued her excellent day with 31. It was a partnership which all but decided the contest.
Both openers fell, as did Fi Morris, but Thunder were comfortable in sealing victory.