Preview - Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy

The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy starts today. It is a testament to the hard work of many that this tournament ever got off the ground. Working around a global pandemic is never easy – as the England team have found out when India and then South Africa dropped out of their respective tours.

The new regional hubs were due to be rolled out this year. There is a sense of the familiar in some of the teams even if four of those sides had slight rebrands. Sunrisers and Central Sparks join the ranks.

Across the eight sides are many young players who have a fantastic opportunity to play at top grounds with a sprinkling of England players, at least for the first two rounds.

North Group

It would take a brave person to pick a winner for the North Group, the teams seem evenly matched. What might swing it in the end for one side may be the availability of the England players:

Central Sparks

The shires of the pears and bears combine to create the Central Sparks. Under the leadership of Eve Jones, they should be competitive. For the first two rounds, they are joined by England players Sarah Glenn and Amy Jones.

An experienced core of Thea Brookes, Marie Kelly and Gwenan Davies will make the Central Sparks a tough team to beat. If they can also get the best out of Issy Wong, a bowler who is genuinely quick, there is no reason why Central Sparks can't be on home turf for the final.

Lightning

despite a relatively young squad, there are many advantages that Lightning have up their sleeve. Most of the players are based in Loughborough and, under head coach Rob Jones, there is familiarity. With Kirstie Gordon and Tammy Beaumont around for the first two rounds, there are two genuine match winners.

Joining Jones and Gordon who have both represented Scotland are sisters Sarah and Kathryn Bryce. Sarah has been in form for Kent this summer and Bryce played a vital role in Loughborough Lightning's push for KSL finals day last year.

There are some excellent young players available and a great opportunity for Sophie Munro, the opening bowler to impress.

Northern Diamonds

If the youthfulness of some teams being the order of the day, then it may surprise some that the Diamonds have some of the more experienced players in the tournament. 

Jenny Gunn has 308 List A appearances to her name and when Kathrine Brunt (216 List A games) is available there is as much experience in two players than most have in their whole squads.

It is also good to see names such as Beth Langston and Katie Levick, who both have different reasons why the RHF Trophy is essential to them.

Another interesting pick is the Netherlands player Sterre Kalis.

North East Thunder

Alex Hartley has been awarded the captaincy for the Thunder. With a young squad, it could be an inspired choice. Hartley was an instrumental part of the England side that won the ICC World Cup in 2017. She will have her podcast co-host Kate Cross available for the opening rounds along with Sophie Ecclestone. It may help Thunder find some momentum early on that their KSL predecessors never found.

One of the main ideas behind the regional hubs is to increase the talent pool for the national side, which gives the likes of Ellie Threlkeld they are ready to put some pressure on the England squad. If there is a need for at least a good backup for Amy Jones, this is her chance to shine.

South Group

South East Stars

Another side that has a young-looking squad who will be lead by Tash Farrant, they are still one of the favourites.

In the London Cup, the first domestic game to take place this year, Alice Capsey of Surrey showed just why she is tipped to be an England player of the future. Another wicketkeeper to look out for is Rhianna Southby. 

In the bowling ranks, Megan Belt gives the Stars a wicket-taking option. A consistent performer in county cricket it is only right she is rewarded.

Southern Vipers

Southern Vipers are a mix of Sussex and Hampshire players with Berkshire's Lauren Bell thrown in for good measure. It is a squad made up of players with some 50 over pedigree with Hampshire having won the County Championship in the last few years.

With Charlotte Edwards overseeing things, you feel that Southern Vipers will be a tough team to beat. Bell is another highly-rated young bowler. Georgia Adams is a good captain and reliable with the bat and in the field.

Players such Maia Bouchier and Paige Scholfield will able to show that they can turn promise into higher honours.

Sunrisers

One of the new teams, Sunrisers made up predominantly of players from Middlesex, and Essex there looks a good balance to the squad. 

They have experience in Naomi Dattani and Amara Carr who should give the side some stability. Cordelia Griffith, who was also named among the first intake of Sunrisers players, has looked in good touch this year and if she can add valuable runs in the powerplay overs, they should post some decent totals.

Jo Gardner is a bowler who makes it difficult to score runs from. Also in the bowling ranks is Emily Thorpe, a young legspinner. 

Western Storm

The most successful of the Kia Super Leage teams, Western Storm will be hoping to continue that success. Fifity-over cricket is a different game. They will be without their coach of that era Trevor Griffin, who has made the move to Sunrisers.

Heather Knight who captained that side won't be available for most of the tournament whilst on England duty. 

That being said, they still have a squad that should be competitive. Sophie Luff, Claire Nicholas, Georgia Hennessy, Fi Morris and Lauren Parfitt are all consistent performers and should make sure Western Storm are in contention for the final.