Match Preview: Southern Vipers v Northern Diamonds, CEC

Southern Vipers v Northern Diamonds

Charlotte Edwards Cup

Friday 14^th June 2024 (3:00pm start)

Utilita Bowl

Southern Vipers return to Utilita Bowl for another double header with Hampshire Hawks.

They come back to HQ having secured back-to-back victories on the road against Thunder and Western Storm, with the bowlers shining through as they bowled the north west side out for just 85 before successfully defending 137 in Bristol.

Charli Knott continued her excellent season in orange and black with scores of 45 and 37, whilst Georgia Adams made 55 against Western Storm, continuing her record of only being out once before reaching a half-century against them.

Spinners Linsey Smith and Charlie Dean did the bulk of the damage, with both bowlers picking up five and four wickets respectively across both matches.

Northern Diamonds come to Utilita Bowl unable to qualify for Finals Day, as they currently sit bottom of the table with one win from their seven matches, their only victory coming against Central Sparks at Edgbaston.

Southern Vipers Squad

Southern Vipers have named a 17-player squad for their clash against the Diamonds.

A full allocation of England players are available, with Danni Wyatt included after her wedding last week.

Northern Diamonds

With one win from seven matches, the Diamonds have fallen from being the Vipers’ sparring partner, with the two teams contesting four knockout matches in the first three years as regional teams.

Despite strong names in Lauren Winfield-Hill, Bess Heath, and Hollie Armitage, they haven’t been able to kick on to get their desired results.

Spin duo Erin Burns and Katie Levick are by far their leading wicket takers, with 12 and 11 scalps to their names, with Armitage’s leg spin also taking six wickets.

Scottish left armer Rachel Slater is their leading pace bowler with five wickets, with the slingy Grace Hall providing support.

2024 Season In Numbers:

• 8^th in CEC
• Leading run scorer: Hollie Armitage (142)
• Leading wicket taker: Erin Burns (12)

Head-To-Head:

Southern Vipers’ record in Charlotte Edwards Cup matches v Northern Diamonds:

Recent Meetings:

• June 4^th 2023 | Headingley | Vipers won by 16 runs
• June 4^th 2022 | Utilita Bowl | Vipers won by six wickets (with ten balls remaining)
• May 21^st 2022 | Seat Unique Riverside | Vipers won by 11 runs
• September 5^th 2021 | Utilita Bowl | Diamonds won by 18 runs

Tickets

Double header tickets for Southern Vipers v Northern Diamonds and Hampshire Hawks v Middlesex are available at the advance price of £26 for adults and just £7 for Under 17s.

Fans can upgrade their experience with Ticket Plus, from £46 for adults and £22 for Under 17s.

Ticket Plus allows customers to skip the queue with priority entry on matchdays, and enjoy the best view in cricket from premium suite seating and relax in a private suite with a bar.

To purchase double header tickets, please click here.

Match Coverage

A live stream will be available for the match, and a link to the stream will be available in the free-to-download Hampshire Cricket App and at www.utilitabowl.com/cricket.

Both the Hampshire Cricket App and www.utilitabowl.com/cricket will also host a live match centre with scorecard, statistics and insight available throughout the match.

Weather Forecast

Please follow the link to view the latest weather forecast for Utilita Bowl: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2634447.