NOD vs CES: Northern Diamonds will match up against Central Sparks for the opening game of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2021 at Headingley, Leeds on May 29.
The two teams were placed in the North group last season and fared extremely well in their 2020 campaign. With five wins out of six games, Northern Diamonds were the table-toppers last season bagging 23 points. Meanwhile, Central Sparks clinched three wins out of their six games and were placed second on the table.
With sheer dominance in the league matches, Northern Diamonds ended their campaign being the finalists against Southern Vipers. Being asked to bat on the final matchday, Vipers posted a decent target of 232 courtesy of Katie Levick’s 3/49. Skipper Georgia Adams top-scored with 80.
While chasing, the Diamonds were down and out after being cleaned up for 193 owing to Charlotte Taylor’s magnificent 6/34. Despite their loss at the finals, they would be looking to keep up their dominant form in the competition.
However, Sparks last played a league stage match against Lightning. Sarah Bryce’s blistering unbeaten knock of 136 laid the foundation of Lightning’s 303 run total. In reply, skipper Eve Jones gave a fitting reply with her 115 run knock but couldn’t get Sparks over the line and fell short of 55 runs.
Both teams would be looking to carry on their successive campaigns from last season.
Match Details
Match: Northern Diamonds vs Central Sparks
Date & Time: 29th May 2021, 3:00 PM IST
Venue: Headingley, Leeds
NOD vs CES Head-to-Head
The two side met twice last season, with both teams winning on match each.
Pitch Report
Being a batsmen friendly wicket, the venue has seen a lot of high scoring run chases. Batsmen have taken full advantage of the conditions but bowlers too have been seen claiming wickets occasionally.
With more than 60% of the matches going in the favour of the team batting second, teams most likely to win the toss will choose to bowl first.
Weather Report
It has been forecasted to be partly cloudy with as low as 20% chances of rainfall.
NOD vs CES Predicted Playing XI
Northern Diamonds
Bess Heath, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Katherine Brunt, Ami Campbell, Jenny Gunn, Rachel Hopkins, Sterre Kalis, Beth Langston, Katie Levick, Natalie Sciver, Linsey Smith
Central Sparks
Amy Jones, Marie Kelly, Poppy Davies, Georgia Davies, Milly Home, Evelyn Jones, Thea Brookes, Sarah Glenn, Hannah Baker, Anisha Patel, Issy Wong
NOD vs CES Dream11 Team Prediction
Wicketkeeper: Amy Jones
Batswomen: Marie Kelly, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Ami Campbell
All-rounders: Natalie Sciver (captain), Evelyn Jones, Beth Langston
Bowlers: Sarah Glenn (vice-captain), Katie Levick, Katherine Brunt, Hannah Baker
