Match Preview: Southern Vipers v The Blaze, RHFT Final

Southern Vipers v The Blaze

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Final

Sunday 24^th September (10:30am start)

Northampton

The Vipers could become the first English women’s domestic team to become ‘double champions’ if they lift the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for a third time this weekend, with Head Coach Charlotte Edwards winning all three English women’s domestic trophies available in 2023.

The team defeated Blaze by a mammoth 126 runs at Loughborough last Saturday, enough to give them a bonus point victory and a great enough swing in net run rate to see them leapfrog the Trent Bridge-based side to go top of the table.

For once, the Vipers go into a RHFT final without the Northern Diamonds as their opposition, as The Blaze won a heavily rain-affected Eliminator at Beckenham where they chased down the 52 they required for victory with eight balls remaining in their 10-over thrash.

Southern Vipers Squad

Southern Vipers have named a 15-player squad as they head to The Ageas Bowl for the final time in 2023.

Megan Sturge is the only addition to the squad that defeated The Blaze in their previous match at Loughbough.

Full Squad

The Blaze:

2023 Season In Numbers

• 2^nd in RHFT
• Leading run scorer: Tammy Beaumont, Georgie Boyce (241)
• Leading wicket taker: Grace Ballinger (18)

Head-to-Head

Southern Vipers’ record in Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy matches v The Blaze:

Recent Meetings:

• September 16^th 2023 | Loughborough | Vipers won by 126 runs
• July 11^th 2023 | Newclose, Isle of Wight | Blaze won by four wickets (with 10 balls remaining)
• July 16^th 2022 | Derby | Vipers won by 66 runs
• May 29^th 2021 | The Ageas Bowl | Vipers won by four wickets (with 19 balls remaining)

Tickets

Tickets for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Final are available from just £10 for adults and £5 for Under 18s.

To secure your place at Northampton, visit https://nccc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/rachael_heyhoe_flint_trophy_final.

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.ageasbowl.com/cricket.

Both the Hampshire Cricket App and www.ageasbowl.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 Northampton: https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2641430.