English cricket season
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]
Squad
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).
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
Season standings
advanced to the Semi-finals
Fixtures
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bat.
Points: Central Sparks 5, The Blaze 0
Southern Vipers won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: Southern Vipers 5, Central Sparks 0
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
Sunrisers won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: Sunrisers 5, Central Sparks 0
Northern Diamonds won the toss and elected to bat.
Points: Northern Diamonds 4, Central Sparks 0
North West Thunder won the toss and elected to bat.
Points: Central Sparks 4, North West Thunder 0
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bat.
Points: Northern Diamonds 4, Central Sparks 0
Sunrisers won the toss and elected to bowl.
No further play was possible due to rain.
Points: Central Sparks 2, Sunrisers 2
North West Thunder won by 8 wickets New Road , Worcester Umpires: Grace Bambury and Simon Widdup
North West Thunder won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: North West Thunder 5, Central Sparks 0
Western Storm won by 182 runs New Road , Worcester Umpires: Joanne Ibbotson and Simon Widdup
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: Western Storm 5, Central Sparks 0
Western Storm won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: Central Sparks 5, Western Storm 0
Central Sparks won by 7 wickets New Road , Worcester Umpires: Ben Peverall and Grace Bambury
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: Central Sparks 5, Southern Vipers 0
South East Stars won by 20 runs Scorers , Shirley Umpires: Gabi Brown and Mark Newell
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: South East Stars 4, Central Sparks 0
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: Central Sparks 4, The Blaze 0
Tournament statistics
Batting
Source: ESPN Cricinfo[ 20] Qualification: 200 runs.
Bowling
Source: ESPN Cricinfo[ 21] Qualification: 10 wickets.
Charlotte Edwards Cup
Season standings
advanced to the Semi-finals
Fixtures
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: Central Sparks 5, Sunrisers 0
Western Storm won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: Central Sparks 4, Western Storm 0
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
Match reduced to 11 overs per side due to rain.
Points: Central Sparks 4, Northern Diamonds 0
North West Thunder won the toss and elected to bat.
Points: North West Thunder 4, Central Sparks 0
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: The Blaze 4, Central Sparks 0
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: Northern Diamonds 4, Central Sparks 0
South East Stars won the toss and elected to bat.
Emily Arlott took a hat-trick .[ 22]
Points: Central Sparks 4, South East Stars 0
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: Central Sparks 4, North West Thunder 0
Central Sparks won by 5 wickets New Road , Worcester Umpires: Anthony Harris and Fiona Richards
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bowl.
Points: Central Sparks 5, Southern Vipers 0
Central Sparks won the toss and elected to bat.
Points: The Blaze 4, Central Sparks 0
Semi-final
The Blaze won the toss and elected to bowl.
Tournament statistics
Batting
Source: ESPN Cricinfo[ 23] Qualification: 150 runs.
Bowling
Source: ESPN Cricinfo[ 24] Qualification: 10 wickets.
Season statistics
Batting
Bowling
Fielding
Wicket-keeping
References
^ a b "Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024 - Points Table" . ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ a b "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2024 - Points Table" . ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Central Sparks/Squad" . Central Sparks. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ a b "Sparks Part Company with Tennant and Ostler" . Central Sparks. 1 June 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2024 fixtures" . England and Wales Cricket Board. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Charlotte Edwards Cup 2024 fixtures" . England and Wales Cricket Board. 23 November 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Eight Tier 1 Counties confirmed for 2025 and plans unveiled for four more women's professional domestic teams by 2029" . England and Wales Cricket Board. 17 April 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Central Sparks" . Twitter . 14 November 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Western Storm sign Ellie Anderson on loan" . Western Storm. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Ellie's Loan Extended" . Western Storm. 12 June 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Issy and Ellie extend their stay" . Western Storm. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Issy Wong joins Western Storm on loan" . Western Storm. 24 May 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Issy's loan extended" . Western Storm. 27 June 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Issy and Ellie extend their stay" . Western Storm. 23 August 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Lancashire Thunder confirm loan signing of Eve Jones" . Lancashire Cricket. 31 August 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Sparks Sign Courtney Webb" . Central Sparks . 23 April 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Preview: Storm Await Sparks in West Country" . Central Sparks. 25 August 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Stars For Our Last At Home" . Central Sparks. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Charis Pavely Signs First Pro Contract" . Central Sparks . 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - Central Sparks/Most runs" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - Central Sparks/Most wickets" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Emily Arlott hat-trick powers Central Sparks to victory" . ESPNcricinfo. 9 June 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Records/Chalotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - Central Sparks/Most runs" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - Central Sparks/Most wickets" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ a b "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - Central Sparks/Batting and Bowling Averages" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ a b "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - Central Sparks/Batting and Bowling Averages" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - Central Sparks/Most catches" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - Central Sparks/Most catches" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2024 - Central Sparks/Most dismissals" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
^ "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2024 - Central Sparks/Most dismissals" . ESPN Cricinfo . Retrieved 1 October 2024 .
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