2024 Central Sparks season
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Darren Franklin & Justine Dunce
(June–September)
Courtney Webb| 2024 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Coach | Lloyd Tennant (April–May) Darren Franklin & Justine Dunce (June–September) | ||
| Captain | Evelyn Jones | ||
| Overseas player | Courtney Webb | ||
| RHFT | 7th | ||
| CEC | Semi-finals | ||
| Most runs | RHFT: Evelyn Jones (483) CEC: Davina Perrin (245) | ||
| Most wickets | RHFT: Grace Potts (15) & Hannah Baker (15) CEC: Emily Arlott (14) | ||
| Most catches | RHFT: Katie George (9) CEC: Katie George (7) & Davina Perrin (7) | ||
| Most wicket-keeping dismissals | RHFT: Abigail Freeborn (11) CEC: Abigail Freeborn (10) | ||
| |||
The 2024 season was Central Sparks' fifth season, in which they competed in the 50 over Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and the Twenty20 Charlotte Edwards Cup. In the Charlotte Edwards Cup, the side won six of their ten group stage matches, finishing fourth and progressing to the semi-finals, where they lost to The Blaze.[1] In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, the side finished seventh in the group, winning five of their fourteen matches.[2]
The side was captained by Evelyn Jones and initially coached by Lloyd Tennant, before he was replaced by Darren Franklin and Justine Dunce in June 2024.[3][4] They played five home matches apiece at Edgbaston Cricket Ground and New Road, Worcester, and one apiece at Chester Road North Ground, Kidderminster and Scorers, Shirley.[5][6]
This was Central Sparks' final season in existence, effectively being replaced by a professionalised Warwickshire team under the England and Wales Cricket Board's changes to the structure of women's domestic cricket from 2025 onwards.[7]
Departures
On 14 November 2023, Elizabeth Russell announced her retirement from cricket.[8] On 30 April 2024, it was announced that Ellie Anderson had gone on a month-long loan to Western Storm.[9] On 12 June 2024, Anderson's loan was extended until 23 July 2024, and then again on 23 August 2024 until the end of the season.[10][11] On 24 May 2024, it was announced that the side had loaned Issy Wong to Western Storm for the duration of the Charlotte Edwards Cup.[12] Wong's loan was later extended on 27 June 2024 until the end of July, and then again on 23 August 2024 for one match on 26 August 2024.[13][14] On 31 August 2024, it was announced that Evelyn Jones had gone on loan to North West Thunder for the remainder of the season.[15]
Arrivals
On 23 April 2024, the side announced the signing of Courtney Webb as an overseas player, with her stint beginning in May.[16] On 25 August 2024, Meg Austin and Hannah Hardwick were included in a matchday squad for the first time.[17] On 3 September 2024, Sophie Beech was included in a matchday squad for the first time.[18]
Personnel and contract changes
On 1 November 2023, it was announced that Charis Pavely had signed her first professional contract with the side.[19] On 1 June 2024, it was announced that Head Coach Lloyd Tennant and Assistant Coach Dominic Ostler had left the club, with Darren Franklin and Justine Dunce taking over leadership of the side under the end of the season.[4]
Squad list
- Age given is at the start of Central Sparks' first match of the season (20 April 2024).
| Name | Nationality | Birth date | Batting Style | Bowling Style | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Batters | ||||||
| Meg Austin |  England | 7 September 2004 (aged 19) | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break | Joined August 2024 | |
| Chloe Brewer | England | 12 July 2002 (aged 21) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | ||
| Ami Campbell | England | 6 June 1991 (aged 32) | Left-handed | Right-arm medium | ||
| Evelyn Jones | England | 8 August 1992 (aged 31) | Left-handed | Left-arm medium | Captain; loaned to North West Thunder in September 2024 | |
| Davina Perrin | England | 8 September 2006 (aged 17) | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break | ||
| Courtney Webb | Australia | 30 November 1999 (aged 24) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Overseas player; May to September 2024 | |
| All-rounders | ||||||
| Bethan Ellis | England | 7 July 1999 (aged 24) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | ||
| Ria Fackrell | England | 16 September 1999 (aged 24) | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | ||
| Katie George | England | 7 April 1999 (aged 25) | Right-handed | Left-arm medium | ||
| Charis Pavely | England | 25 October 2004 (aged 19) | Left-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | ||
| Wicket-keepers | ||||||
| Sophie Beech | England | Unknown | Right-handed | — | Joined September 2024 | |
| Poppy Davies | England | 23 June 2000 (aged 23) | Right-handed | — | ||
| Abigail Freeborn | England | 12 November 1996 (aged 27) | Right-handed | — | ||
| Amy Jones | England | 13 June 1993 (aged 30) | Right-handed | — | ||
| Bowlers | ||||||
| Ellie Anderson | England | 23 February 1994 (aged 30) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Loaned to Western Storm from April to September 2024 | |
| Emily Arlott | England | 23 February 1998 (aged 26) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | ||
| Hannah Baker | England | 3 February 2004 (aged 20) | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break | ||
| Georgia Davis | England | 3 June 1999 (aged 24) | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | ||
| Hannah Hardwick | England | 1 May 2004 (aged 19) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | ||
| Anisha Patel | England | 17 August 1995 (aged 28) | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break | ||
| Grace Potts | England | 12 July 2002 (aged 21) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | ||
| Issy Wong | England | 15 May 2002 (aged 21) | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | Loaned to Western Storm from May to September 2024 | |
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
Season standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | NR | BP | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northern Diamonds (Q) | 14 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 41 | 0.097 |
| 2 | South East Stars (Q) | 14 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 40 | 0.246 |
| 3 | Southern Vipers (Q) | 14 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 34 | 0.534 |
| 4 | Sunrisers (Q) | 14 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 34 | −0.122 |
| 5 | The Blaze | 14 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 31 | −0.176 |
| 6 | North West Thunder | 14 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 25 | −0.013 |
| 7 | Central Sparks | 14 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 25 | −0.299 |
| 8 | Western Storm | 14 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 18 | −0.211 |
advanced to the Semi-finals
Fixtures
Central Sparks 213/9 (50 overs) |
v |
The Blaze 135 (41 overs) |
- Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bat.
- Points: Central Sparks 5, The Blaze 0
Central Sparks 172/9 (50 overs) |
v |
Southern Vipers 173/3 (38.5 overs) |
- Southern Vipers won the toss and elected to bowl.
- Points: Southern Vipers 5, Central Sparks 0
South East Stars 268 (49.4 overs) |
v |
Central Sparks 119/6 (30 overs) |
- South East Stars won the toss and elected to bat.
- Central Sparks innings curtailed at 30 overs due to rain; target was 191.
- Points: South East Stars 5, Central Sparks 0
Central Sparks 213 (50 overs) |
v |
Sunrisers 214/5 (39.4 overs) |
- Sunrisers won the toss and elected to bowl.
- Points: Sunrisers 5, Central Sparks 0
Northern Diamonds 216 (49.2 overs) |
v |
Central Sparks 215 (50 overs) |
- Northern Diamonds won the toss and elected to bat.
- Points: Northern Diamonds 4, Central Sparks 0
North West Thunder 284/7 (50 overs) |
v |
Central Sparks 287/7 (49.4 overs) |
- North West Thunder won the toss and elected to bat.
- Points: Central Sparks 4, North West Thunder 0
Central Sparks 239/8 (50 overs) |
v |
Northern Diamonds 242/6 (44 overs) |
- Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bat.
- Points: Northern Diamonds 4, Central Sparks 0
Central Sparks 27/0 (6.3 overs) |
v |
|
Evelyn Jones 14* (17) |
- Sunrisers won the toss and elected to bowl.
- No further play was possible due to rain.
- Points: Central Sparks 2, Sunrisers 2
Central Sparks 144 (42.4 overs) |
v |
North West Thunder 147/2 (29 overs) |
- North West Thunder won the toss and elected to bowl.
- Points: North West Thunder 5, Central Sparks 0
Western Storm 284 (49.5 overs) |
v |
Central Sparks 102 (25 overs) |
- Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
- Points: Western Storm 5, Central Sparks 0
Central Sparks 297/3 (50 overs) |
v |
Western Storm 152 (33 overs) |
- Western Storm won the toss and elected to bowl.
- Points: Central Sparks 5, Western Storm 0
Southern Vipers 183 (48.4 overs) |
v |
Central Sparks 184/3 (39.2 overs) |
- Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
- Points: Central Sparks 5, Southern Vipers 0
South East Stars 270 (49.5 overs) |
v |
Central Sparks 250/9 (50 overs) |
- Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
- Points: South East Stars 4, Central Sparks 0
The Blaze 166 (46.5 overs) |
v |
Central Sparks 170/5 (41.2 overs) |
- Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
- Points: Central Sparks 4, The Blaze 0
Tournament statistics
Batting
| Player | Matches | Innings | Runs | Average | High score | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evelyn Jones | 12 | 12 | 483 | 48.30 | 136* | 2 | 2 |
| Abigail Freeborn | 14 | 13 | 370 | 33.63 | 93 | 0 | 3 |
| Katie George | 13 | 12 | 321 | 35.66 | 57* | 0 | 3 |
| Davina Perrin | 12 | 11 | 223 | 20.27 | 50 | 0 | 2 |
| Bethan Ellis | 12 | 9 | 215 | 35.83 | 57 | 0 | 1 |
| Chloe Brewer | 11 | 11 | 202 | 20.20 | 54 | 0 | 1 |
- Source: ESPN Cricinfo[20] Qualification: 200 runs.
Bowling
| Player | Matches | Overs | Wickets | Average | Economy | BBI | 5wi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grace Potts | 13 | 88.1 | 15 | 28.06 | 4.77 | 3/38 | 0 |
| Hannah Baker | 12 | 90.0 | 15 | 28.33 | 4.72 | 5/45 | 1 |
| Katie George | 13 | 80.5 | 14 | 30.85 | 5.34 | 5/50 | 1 |
| Charis Pavely | 6 | 38.3 | 13 | 11.46 | 3.87 | 4/31 | 0 |
| Bethan Ellis | 12 | 57.0 | 10 | 28.80 | 5.05 | 2/16 | 0 |
| Ria Fackrell | 9 | 68.3 | 10 | 34.60 | 5.05 | 2/19 | 0 |
- Source: ESPN Cricinfo[21] Qualification: 10 wickets.