England blame 'unacceptable' Newlands facilities after claims of Covid-19 protocols breach

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Row erupts over tour biosecurity after England players use nets adjoining construction site

Firdose Moonda07-Dec-2020The use of a previously off-limits nets facility at Newlands has emerged as a possible source of the Covid-19 infection within the England camp, as the ECB hit back at claims from officials at Western Province that its players had breached the teams’ biosecure environment for a practice session on the eve of Friday’s scheduled first ODI.In an email sent on Thursday, December 3, and seen by ESPNcricinfo, WP informed CSA, ECB and the Claremont Police, who are in charge of maintaining the teams’ bio-bubble, that they could not be held liable for the safety or health of the England team, who opted to practice in a nets facility adjoining a construction site at the Kelvin Grove End of the ground.”Please be advised that the England cricket team has not adhered to the arrangements as agreed by all in the ESSPC [Event Security and Safety Planning Committee] meetings,” the email read. “The practice nets next to the construction site is not allowed to be used on practice days. Three cages of nets was set up on the square on the field. This serves to inform you that the England Cricket Team has accessed and used the nets today (3 December 2020) at their own risk. WPCA and the ESSPC will not be held liable or responsible for the safety and health of the England Cricket Team.”In response, an ECB spokesman told ESPNcricinfo that the session had arisen due to the “unacceptable” standard of the three practice pitches provided on the square at Newlands, and that CSA had accepted England’s request to put up a security cordon to facilitate the use of the nets as per similar arrangements during the T20I series on November 28.”On arrival at Newlands on 3 December, we advised the venue that the three nets provided on the main pitch were not of a standard for conducive practice, as per the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the respective boards,” an ECB statement said. “Batsmen were unable to face seam bowlers on the nets on the main pitch as the surfaces were rendered and unacceptable.ALSO READ: Explainer – Will the series still go ahead after Covid outbreak?“We requested with CSA that we would like to use the practice nets and that we would create a security cordon to ensure the players and coaches could enter the facility safely, as done previously on 28 November. This was confirmed by England’s Security Team, the Team Operations Manager and the Team Doctor. We were satisfied with this outcome and we were able to practice in the net facility safely.”The team also used the main outfield for fielding drills, a seam bowlers bowl through pitch and a number of nets were used for range-hitting against spin bowlers and coaches throws.”As far as the England touring party are concerned, the safety and health of our players and coaches was not compromised.”The nets at Newlands are currently out of bounds due to the construction of an office block at the Kelvin Grove End of the ground. The building site is attended to by several workers throughout the day. When South African players, including Andile Phehlukwayo and David Miller, who missed the T20 series, and some support staff attempted to have a net after Friday’s postponed first ODI, they were sent back and instructed to return to their hotel rooms.At the time, a third South African player had just tested positive for the coronavirus, causing the first ODI to be pushed back. On Saturday, two members of the Vineyard Hotel staff, who do not work in the same area and have not left the premises since November 16, also tested positive, prompting the entire England touring party to be retested. England returned two “unconfirmed” positive results, but have sought to get the tests analysed by doctors in London. The two England cases meant Sunday’s ODI in Paarl was abandoned.The fate of the rest of the series, which has now been reduced to two ODIs, hinges on the analysis of England’s results. Should positive cases be confirmed, those infected and their close contacts will have to quarantine in South Africa for 10 days before leaving for the UK, which could impact on Big Bash and Christmas plans. If the results of the tests are negative, the series could be completed with back-to-back ODIs on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Azeem Rafiq files legal claim against Yorkshire over alleged racism

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Former allrounder cites ‘direct discrimination and harassment on the grounds of race’

ESPNcricinfo staff15-Dec-2020Azeem Rafiq has filed a legal complaint against Yorkshire County Cricket Club, citing “direct discrimination and harassment on the grounds of race”, as well as “victimisation and detriment as a result of his efforts to address racism at the club”.Rafiq told ESPNcricinfo in August that he had been left “on the brink of suicide” by the club’s failure to respond adequately to his allegations of institutional racism, and says he has taken this action, under the Equality Act, in a bid to seek “closure”.”Those who have, like me, been on the receiving end of racism and discrimination will understand how hard it is to open up about the pain and suffering it causes,” said Rafiq.”I feel a sense of relief to finally speak about it and that my healing process can now begin. I hope this claim will give me the closure I need and that the recommendations from the Tribunal will help bring about change for our future generations in cricket.”Rafiq’s claim against the club alleges that he was given a racist nickname by his team-mates, as were other Yorkshire players with an ethnic minority background, with the term “P***” and the phrase “go back where you came from” frequently heard within the dressing-room.The claim further alleges that Yorkshire failed to respect ethnic beliefs of Pakistani players and players of Pakistani descent, “including the non-provision of Halal food facilities and attempts to enforce the drinking culture of the club on them”.Yorkshire is also accused of failing to provide Rafiq with pastoral care after his son was still-born in 2018, shortly before he left the club for a second time, and Rafiq claims that he was denied the same professional opportunities as his white British team-mates, including an opportunity to play T20 franchise cricket in the off-season.Rafiq’s original allegations, which were laid out in the course of three separate interviews in the course of the English season, led to Yorkshire commissioning an investigation, which is still ongoing.”Racism has no place in our society or in our sport,” Yorkshire told ESPNcricinfo in a statement. “We have taken the allegations made extremely seriously, launching a thorough, independent investigation and now await the results and recommendations from this early next year.”This is an important investigation for the club and a distressing time for all involved but with this process underway and the investigation team currently conducting interviews, it would be inappropriate for us to go into further detail on any ongoing legal matters at this stage.”Rafiq’s lawyer, Asma Iqbal, added: “Azeem is a victim of institutional racism who has taken a brave step to whistle blow on an institution which now accepts it needs to embrace change; if only they had recognised this in 2018 when Azeem was crying out for help and support.”Crucially, the YCCC can do the right thing and accept this claim, which will allow the action to go ahead. If YCCC is serious about tackling racism, it will do just that.”

Brathwaite makes 85 but West Indians falter against spin

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From 110 for 1, they slipped to 131 for 5 as the middle-order collapsed

Mohammad Isam29-Jan-2021West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite struck 85 but the rest of the visitors’ batsmen struggled against the BCB XI on the first day of their three-day warm-up game at the MA Aziz Stadium in Chattogram.Brathwaite lasted 187 balls to hit ten fours as he showed typical doggedness on a mostly slow pitch. He felt that he had to stay as low as possible because of a lack of bounce and that at times he was also forced to use his feet against the spinners.”It was a decent innings,” he said. “I was happy with the time I spent in the middle. I have to keep working hard. I wouldn’t say it was difficult conditions. The guys bowled well. Obviously the wicket was slow and low, to be honest. You really had to watch the ball for long. But it was going to happen.”You have to make sure you have a solid defence, and make sure you trust it throughout the innings. I had to use my feet on some occasions. Since the bounce was low, I didn’t want to come up too early.”Brathwaitte added 67 for the opening wicket with John Campbell who struck seven fours in his 44 off 73 balls. But from 110 for 1, the West Indians slipped to 131 for 5 as the middle-order of Shayne Moseley, Nkrumah Bonner, Jermaine Blackwood and Kavem Hodge got out cheaply.Moseley and Hodge are newcomers who were playing their first innings on tour, while Bonner, who made only 2, had earlier played in the ODI series. Blackwood, who is billed as one of the batting mainstays in this West Indies side, scored only 9.It was only after Joshua da Silva, Kyle Mayers and Alzarri Joseph made scores of 20, 40 and 25 that the visitors got past the 250-run mark.For the BCB XI, legspinner Rishad Hossain took five wickets while pacer Khaled Ahmed picked up three. The other two were picked up by Saif Hassan and Shahadat Hossain. They kept the home team strategy of not playing any left-arm spinners against the visitors in the warm-up game.Later, the BCB XI openers Saif and Shadman Islam ensured they went to stumps without any losses, ending with 24 for 0 having batted for eight overs.

New fitness target for Indian players: yo-yo level raised to 17:1, time trial 2k run

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Fast bowlers have to run two kilometres in 8 minutes 15 seconds, the rest in 8 minutes 30 seconds

Nagraj Gollapudi12-Feb-2021It is no more 16:1. The yo-yo test level for the Indian men’s cricketers has been raised to 17:1. In addition, the BCCI has also added a new fitness parameter: run a two-kilometre time trial, which is now a global fitness standard employed by international cricket teams. It is understood that players have the choice to pick either the yo-yo test or the time trial, but the BCCI has made it mandatory to clear one of the two fitness tests.These two elements are part of the BCCI’s drive to raise the fitness standards of Indian players and bring them closer to the global standards. It is understood the BCCI finalised the new fitness parameters in tandem with the National Cricket Academy, which is headed by former India captain Rahul Dravid, and the national selectors recently.While the yo-yo test involves shuttling over a 20-metre distance at increasing speeds, the two-kilometre time trial has to be accomplished in 8 minutes and 15 seconds for fast bowlers, and 8 minutes and 30 seconds for the rest.ESPNcricinfo understands the BCCI recently sent a list of about 25 players to the NCA, which has the authority to conduct the fitness tests. This pool of names has been shortlisted keeping in mind not just the white-ball segment of the ongoing home series against England but also as part of preparing for the hectic schedule the Indian players will have in 2021, comprising the IPL, the tour of England, a likely Asia Cup, followed by the T20 World Cup in October-November.Related

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  • How the yo-yo test became a selection standard

Accordingly, the first batch of players travelled to Bengaluru in the first week of February to take the tests. This batch included Shikhar Dhawan, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson, Suryakumar Yadav, Mandeep Singh, Jaydev Unadkat, Siddarth Kaul, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Rana, Devdutt Padikkal and Rahul Tewatia.It is understood several of the aforementioned players failed to pass the test of their choice at the first trial, conducted on February 8. Those who failed took the test once again on Thursday, and cleared it. Some of them, including Unadkat, Kishan and Siddharth Kaul, also posted a picture stating they had cleared the yo-yo test.

It is understood that some of the players switched from the time trial, which they had failed at, to the yo-yo test. The players welcomed the new set of fitness tests, but wanted more preparation time in future to pass the tests in a better fashion. Although most of the players had played in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, which concluded in January, they were called for the tests during the downtime, before they travel to different venues to play the Vijay Hazare Trophy, which starts from February 20.It is understood that more players will be undergoing the fitness tests soon. Among those present currently at the NCA include Shreyas Iyer, Varun Chakravarthy, Deepak Chahar and T Natarajan. Some of these players are also finishing their rehab from injuries picked up during, and before, the Australia tour.Those monitoring the developments pointed out that it was not a concern in case the player failed the tests at first attempt. The key factor was the players needed to be aware about the reason behind the enhanced levels of testing, including the time trial. The BCCI felt that in an increasingly busy schedule, players need to be able to recover quickly between matches while maintaining peak fitness, and also maintain endurance, regardless of age or skill.The time-trial, it is understood, has also been introduced to help push fitness levels up further.Basu Shanker, who was the Indian team’s strength and conditioning coach when the yo-yo test was introduced in 2015, welcomed the addition of time trial. “2k is a good test where you assess the basic conditioning of an athlete and general fitness level. The 2k is similar to the Cooper test. It gives you an idea about your aerobic fitness and your basic conditioning. Let’s say if you are gym goer, if you run the 2k on Speed 10 you might run it in 12 minutes. Here they are asking them to run in 8.15 or 8.30 seconds, which is fairly decent. Other countries have something like 7 or 7.30s. Again, all these things are good because at least people start taken fitness even more seriously.”According to Basu, even the yo-yo test measures the aerobic capacity of the athlete, but has the additional anaerobic component. “Every time you run 20 metres, you need to accelerate and decelerate, right? That is how this sport is played. In cricket nothing linear.You will run 20 metres, then if you are chasing a ball you will sprint for 20 metres and then decelerate for 10 metres. So I think yo-yo is very, very close to cricket.”

Chris Dent leads from the front as Gloucestershire build advantage

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Hosts lead by 91 with two wickets standing after fifties from Dent, Bracey and Lace

ECB Reporters' Network09-Apr-2021Chris Dent has, at times, carried Gloucestershire’s batting in the past years and it was the captain who again led his side’s effort as they built a solid response to Surrey’s 220 at Bristol, though it was far from a lone hand as the hosts reached 311 for 8 at the end of day two.Dent’s bright 78 was followed by 54 from James Bracey and Tom Lace’s 65. None of them could turn their positions into a potentially match-defining innings but they still helped give Gloucestershire a significant lead and three batting points.After Surrey were polished off within three balls of day two, Dent and Bracey immediately put the home side on the front foot with a rattling opening stand of 139 in 28 overs. Dent survived a chance to second slip on 28, where Jamie Overton couldn’t claim the catch leaping at full stretch over his head, and went on to pull Overton for six over midwicket to raise fifty in just 55 balls.Another maximum was hoisted down the ground from Amar Virdi’s offspin but just after lunch he couldn’t get out of the way in time trying to leave Reece Topley and edged into his stumps – the first of four wickets for the England left-armer.It was a bonus for Surrey, who were much relieved to break the opening partnership on the stroke of lunch when Virdi skidded one into Bracey playing back. The wicketkeeper had impressed, punishing three wide deliveries from Gus Atkinson for four before skipping down to lift Virdi for another boundary. A calm single in front of cover brought him fifty in 81 balls.The third half-centurion was Lace, in his first innings since signing permanently from Middlesex. It should have ended before it began as he chopped Topley to second slip on 0 only for the catch to bounce out of Overton’s hands at shoulder height. He also edged Overton just wide of fourth slip but clipped two pleasant boundaries through midwicket in his 101-ball half-century before sweeping at Virdi, missing, and falling lbw.Lace was one of five afternoon wickets for Surrey as they kept Gloucestershire in sight and when they took two wickets in 15 deliveries with the second new ball, the hosts were eight down leading by 62.But Jack Taylor, who at one stage was 1 from 41 balls, and his brother Matt, nudged their side beyond 300 to regain momentum before rain again curtailed play.

Countries confirmed for 2022 Commonwealth Games cricket

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A separate tournament will determine which Caribbean nation is represented with the final country confirmed by qualifying event

Reuters27-Apr-2021Australia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, England and a nation from the Caribbean have all qualified for the women’s event 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham,Women’s cricket will feature at the Games for the first time, and cricket for the second time, after a men’s ODI competition, which was staged in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, was won by South Africa.Alongside the hosts England, the other nations to qualify were determined based on the T20I rankings on April 1, 2021.Related

  • Sri Lanka complete eight-team line-up for women's T20s at Birmingham Commonwealth Games

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  • Six teams to qualify via ICC rankings for 2022 Commonwealth Games

  • Women's cricket lines up for 2022 Commonwealth Games debut on opening day

Athletes from the Caribbean represent their individual countries at the Games and a qualifying tournament for those nations will decide which team takes West Indies’ spot.The final place in the tournament will be allocated to the winners of a qualifying event to be held by January 31, 2022.”Cricket is a sport that is synonymous with the Commonwealth and we are so excited to have it back in the Games for the first time since the men’s competition at Kuala Lumpur,” Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin said.”The debut of women’s T20 cricket will be a historic moment for Commonwealth Sport and a wonderful showcase for women’s sport across the world.”The 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will attract 4,500 athletes from 72 nations and territories, is scheduled to run from July 28 to August 8 next year

Jimmy Neesham's explosive 53 leads Essex to three-wicket win over Somerset

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James Hildreth hammers 39 off 17 in a new role as Somerset opener, but Sam Cook’s 3 for 14 proves damaging

ECB Reporters Network09-Jun-2021Jimmy Neesham’s explosive 53 led Essex Eagles to start their Vitality Blast campaign with a three-wicket win over Somerset at Taunton.Ben Green top-scored with 43 off 30 balls as the hosts posted 185 for 7 after losing the toss.But the most high-powered batting came from the experienced James Hildreth, in a new role as opener, who hammered 39 off just 17 deliveries. Sam Cook took 3 for 15 from three overs.In reply, the Eagles recovered from a poor start to reach their target with seven balls to spare, Neesham hammering a half-century off 23 balls, with seven fours and two sixes.Related

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  • Nottinghamshire left wondering if they've lost their mojo after tie with Worcestershire

The opening Powerplay of the season at the Cooper Associates County Ground saw Somerset plunder 57 off the first three overs and only 11 from the next three.Tom Banton and Hildreth set off at blistering pace, Banton smacking Aron Nijar for a six over mid-wicket in the opening over, which cost 14.Jack Plom conceded 33 off the third over as Hildreth hit successive sixes over long-on. There were also four fours and two no-balls to the delight of Somerset members making up the 1,900 crowd.But it was a different story after the two openers fell in the same Cook over, both caught off attempted pull shots, Banton’s 18 having been scored off seven balls.Wickets fell steadily as, despite Eddie Byrom’s well-constructed 28, Somerset subsided to 144 for 6 after 17 overs.It took Green’s three sixes and one from Marchant de Lange to provide a late boost.Tom Westley and Adam Wheater fell cheaply to Jack Brooks and Josh Davey in the first 13 balls of the Essex reply.Michael Pepper launched two powerful straight sixes before being caught behind off Davey for 18 and after six overs the Eagles were 51 for 3.That extended to 88 for 3 by the halfway stage, tall left-hander Walter looking increasingly assured as he pulled Roelof van der Merwe over mid-wicket for six.Ryan ten Doeschate was dropped on 23, but added only three before edging de Lange through to wicketkeeper Banton.Walter’s impressive contribution ended when he holed out to long-off to give Josh Davey a third wicket, but Neesham responded with a six and a four off the next two balls.The New Zealander then smashed three fours and a six off the 15th over, bowled by leg-spinner Max Waller, and by the time he became one of two de Lange victims in the 18th over, momentum had swung decisively the Eagles’ way. Plom ended proceedings with a six off Davey.

Mushfiqur Rahim suffers hairline fracture ahead of tour of Zimbabwe

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BCB doctor on finger injury: “We will review the injury after one week, and then determine what to do next”

Mohammad Isam22-Jun-2021Mushfiqur Rahim has picked up a hairline fracture on his left index finger, which he sustained during Abahani Limited’s Dhaka Premier League T20 match against Gazi Group Cricketers on Monday. The scan took place on Tuesday morning, confirming the extent of the injury, which might hurt the Bangladesh national team too, as they get ready for a tour of Zimbabwe.”We did a CT scan on Mushfiq’s hand, which has come up with a hairline fracture on his left index finger,” Dr Debashish Chowdhury, BCB’s chief physician, said. “We have asked him to take a break of one week, but we are hopeful that the recovery won’t take too long. Since it is a hairline fracture. We will review the injury after one week, and then we can determine what to do next.”Related

  • Returning Shakib Al Hasan key as Bangladesh look for winning formula

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  • Shakib Al Hasan returns to Test and T20I squads for tour of Zimbabwe

  • BCB launches Tigers programme for out-of-favour cricketers

  • DPL: Shakib and Sabbir incidents overshadow on-field action

Bangladesh are scheduled to leave for Zimbabwe on June 29 to play a one-off Test, three ODIs and three T20Is. There is, however, some uncertainty around the tour after authorities in Zimbabwe stopped sporting activities in the country last week because of the Covid-19 pandemic.The Bangladesh authorities have expressed confidence, though, that the tour would go ahead on schedule, with BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury saying that the board has received positive feedback from Zimbabwe Cricket.Rahim has led Abahani Limited to to the Super League phase of the Dhaka Premier League – they are currently equal on top of the points table on 20 points with Prime Bank Cricket Club. He has been in decent batting form too, having scored 267 runs in 12 innings, with an average of 38.14 and a strike rate of 130.24. They have three more matches to play, so Rahim’s absence could affect their chances.Rahim had earlier informed the BCB that he would be unavailable for the T20I leg of the tour of Zimbabwe, as Bangladesh start a long build-up for the T20 World Cup in October. He has been involved in all formats for Bangladesh since October last year when the BCB held two white-ball tournaments to kick off cricket after the pandemic.

Ashwell Prince: Not looking to change anything about Bangladesh batters

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New batting coach on a short-term contract says his major role will be to support head coach Domingo

Mohammad Isam27-Jun-2021Ashwell Prince only has one month to make an impact as Bangladesh’s new batting coach and he aims to do that by keeping things simple.Bangladesh enlisted Prince’s services, and Rangana Herath’s, as well and their first assignment will be a tour of Zimbabwe next month, comprising one Test, three ODIs and three T20Is. Prince will join the team in Harare and hopes to work closely with head coach Russell Domingo to help the players perform at peak condition.”Obviously it’s only a short term contract of one month and there’s very little time,” he told ESPNcricinfo. “Ideally in these situations you’re not looking to change anything at all in a batsman. I see my role as providing as much support to head coach Russell (Domingo) in terms of servicing the players with whatever their needs may be to be best prepared for every match.”From a batting point of view where one can make an impact is to have discussions around strategy, game plans and more specifically batting game plans. Individual players might already have these as sound as you like, but in my experience as a player, sometimes you just want that nod of approval from the coaching staff to say, ‘Yep, we’re all on the same page’.”This is Bangladesh’s first tour of Zimbabwe in eight years, and Prince sees it as an opportunity for the batters to enhance their reputation by doing well in overseas conditions. “International batsman all possess tremendous amount of skill, regardless of which country the player is from. As individuals there are very rarely glaring weaknesses.”Having said that, to establish yourself as a reliable international batter, every away series provides one with the opportunity to build your profile as a player by producing results in different countries under different conditions which are foreign to those at home which you are expected to know best,” he said.Prince, however, added that conditions in Harare, especially the pitches, may be similar to those in the subcontinent given the time of year.”Weather conditions in Zimbabwe in July, would be very similar to Johannesburg in July. Very little if any rain at all. Temperatures also are considerably lower than summer. I’m expecting the surfaces to be drier and slower than the usual summer. It could well play very similar to subcontinent conditions,” he said.Prince, who has worked with South Africa A in the past, is also the Western Province head coach. But he couldn’t help but say yes when Bangladesh came knocking.”The main reason for taking up the position is because the opportunity to work at international level does not come by every day,” he said. “And the opportunity could not present itself at a better time for me, as we are currently out of season in South Africa. I am still employed as Head Coach of one of the Provincial teams in South Africa, Western Province.”

Women's Hundred team previews: Trent Rockets, Southern Brave and London Spirit look strong

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We run the rule over all the teams featuring in the inaugural Women’s Hundred

Matt Roller20-Jul-2021

Birmingham Phoenix

Coach: Ben Sawyer
Captain: Amy Jones
Overseas players: Shafali Verma (India), Erin Burns, Katie Mack (both Australia)Significantly weakened by withdrawals of Ellyse Perry, Sophie Devine and Ashleigh Gardner but the signing of Shafali Verma is perhaps the most exciting of the whole competition, on the back of her top-order pyrotechnics against England. Exciting young seam-bowling attack with Central Sparks’ new-ball combination, Issy Wong and Emily Arlott – likely to open the bowling together, while Kirstie Gordon has a point to prove after losing her England central contract.Verdict: Verma can win them games on her own but will need support from the middle order.Possible XI: Shafali Verma, Katie Mack, Amy Jones (capt/wk), Erin Burns, Georgia Elwiss, Evelyn Jones, Marie Kelly, Ria Fackrell/Abtaha Maqsood, Issy Wong, Emily Arlott, Kirstie Gordon

London Spirit

Coach: Trevor Griffin
Captain: Heather Knight
Overseas players: Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Deepti Sharma (India), Chloe Tryon (South Africa)The Knight-Griffin combination that has enjoyed success in both the KSL and the WBBL takes on the Hundred, with a strong top order that should see them score consistent runs throughout. Their bowling attack is a little lighter, with Freya Davies the spearhead, but Knight and overseas players Deepti Sharma and Chloe Tryon offer useful spin options, particularly on slower surfaces, while Charlie Dean is the leading wicket-taker in this season’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.Verdict: Strong squad which should be eyeing a top-three finish, especially if the batting line-up clicks.Possible XI: Tammy Beaumont, Deandra Dottin, Heather Knight (capt), Deepti Sharma, Chloe Tryon, Naomi Dattani, Amara Carr (wk), Grace Scrivens/Dani Gibson, Charlie Dean, Freya Davies, Sophie Munro

Manchester Originals

Coach: Paul Shaw
Captain: Kate Cross
Overseas players: Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Mignon du Preez, Lizelle Lee (both South Africa)Emma Lamb is the in-form allrounder in the country, leading both the runs and wickets charts in the early rounds of the Charlotte Edwards Cup, and could form a powerful opening partnership with Lizelle Lee, while Harmanpreet Kaur and Mignon du Preez add quality to the middle order. The spin attack of Sophie Ecclestone, Alex Hartley and Hannah Jones is strong but Kate Cross carries a heavy burden in the seam department.Verdict: Emirates Old Trafford’s spinning pitches and big boundaries should boost their chances.Possible XI: Lizelle Lee, Emma Lamb, Harmanpreet Kaur, Mignon du Preez, Georgie Boyce, Cordelia Griffith, Ellie Threlkeld (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Kate Cross (capt), Alex Hartley, Hannah JonesKate Cross will lead Manchester Originals after a successful ODI series against India•Getty Images for ECB

Northern Superchargers

Coach: Dani Hazell
Captain: Lauren Winfield-Hill
Overseas players: Laura Kimmince (Australia), Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa), Jemimah Rodrigues (India)Strong, deep batting line-up but bowling attack looks light on paper and will need either plenty of runs to play with or an unheralded domestic player to step up. Tough calls to make over batting order: should the silky Laura Wolvaardt open or continue at No. 4, where she has batted for South Africa, and will the specialist finisher Laura Kimmince face enough balls to make an impact?Verdict: Batting strength offset by bowling attack’s lack of international quality.Possible XI: Lauren Winfield-Hill (capt), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues, Holly Armitage/Sterre Kalis, Laura Kimmince, Alice Davidson-Richards, Beth Langston, Bess Heath (wk), Linsey Smith, Phoebe Graham, Katie Levick

Oval Invincibles

Coach: Jon Batty
Captain: TBC
Overseas players: Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk (all South Africa)Different squad composition to the majority of the tournament, with all three overseas players – all South Africans – offering bowling options. Lacking a star-name England player but Tash Farrant, Mady Villiers and Fran Wilson are all regular squad members and Georgia Adams is pressing for inclusion. New-ball attack of Farrant’s left-arm swing and Shabnim Ismail’s genuine pace should be potent.Verdict: Competitive squad that can challenge for a top-three finish, especially if South African core performs.Possible XI: Georgia Adams, Sarah Bryce (wk), Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk, Fran Wilson, Alice Capsey, Grace Gibbs, Mady Villiers, Tash Farrant, Shabnim Ismail, Dani Gregory

Southern Brave

Coach: Charlotte Edwards
Captain: TBC
Overseas players: Stafanie Taylor (West Indies), Smriti Mandhana (India), Amanda-Jade Wellington (Australia)Destructive opening combination between Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt, and head coach Charlotte Edwards was particularly pleased to secure Sophia Dunkley’s services before her England breakthrough this summer. Versatile seam attack with Lauren Bell’s height, Anya Shrubsole’s swing and Tara Norris’ left-arm angle while Amanda-Jade Wellington’s legbreaks and Charlotte and Stafanie Taylor’s darts are all useful spin options.Verdict: Top three should be the minimum expectation.Possible XI: Smriti Mandhana, Danni Wyatt, Stafanie Taylor, Sophia Dunkley, Maia Bouchier, Carla Rudd (wk), Anya Shrubsole, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Tara Norris, Charlotte Taylor/Fi Morris, Lauren BellSmriti Mandhana forms half of an imposing opening duo with Danni Wyatt•Getty Images

Trent Rockets

Coach: Salliann Beams
Captain: Nat Sciver
Overseas players: Rachel Priest (New Zealand), Sammy-Jo Johnson, Heather Graham (both Australia)Ellyse Villani, Annabel Sutherland and Sophie Molineux’s withdrawals have hit the Rockets hard: veteran keeper-batter Rachel Priest starred in the KSL for Western Storm but Sammy-Jo Johnson and Heather Graham have a single Australia cap between them. But with three of England’s best T20 players in Nat Sciver, Katherine Brunt and Sarah Glenn, they have more than enough talent to overcome those losses and compete for a top-three spot. Expect a fluid batting line-up, with Glenn an option as a pinch-hitting opener.Verdict: Remarkable batting depth and all-round quality of England stars means they should be in contention.Possible XI: Rachel Priest (wk), Nat Sciver (capt), Michaela Kirk, Heather Graham, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Katherine Brunt, Abi Freeborn, Sarah Glenn, Kathryn Bryce, Teresa Graves, Lucy Higham

Welsh Fire

Coach: Mark O’Leary
Captain: TBC
Overseas players: Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Piepa Cleary, Georgia Redmayne (both Australia)Perhaps the weakest squad in the competition on paper but with enough talent to cause a few upsets: Georgia Redmayne had a dominant 50-over season in Australia, Hayley Matthews comes into the competition on the back of an ODI hundred, and Sophie Luff and Bryony Smith have been dominant in domestic cricket. Sarah Taylor’s return adds intrigue while Piepa Clearly will lead the seam attack with Katie George’s injury meaning she has played as a specialist batter for most of the summer.Verdict: Bowling attack lacks international quality of other sides, while batting isn’t strong enough to compensate.Possible XI: Georgia Redmayne, Bryony Smith, Hayley Matthews, Sophie Luff, Sarah Taylor (wk), Katie George, Georgia Hennessy, Piepa Cleary, Lissy Macleod, Alex Griffiths, Nicole Harvey

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