Thunder opt for mixture of youth and experience, with Alex Hartley a star name among the ranks

RACHAEL HEYHOE FLINT TROPHY PREVIEW, by RICHARD CLARK: Despite barrels of experience in among Thunder's squad, there remains a youthful feel to the group, with plenty of up-and-coming talent

Head coach: Paul Shaw

Squad: Georgie Boyce, Natalie Brown, Alice Clarke, Danielle Collins, Rebecca Duckworth, Alice Dyson, Alex Hartley, Liberty Heap, Laura Jackson, Hannah Jones, Emma Lamb, Laura Marshall, Daisy Mullan, Olivia Thomas, Ellie Threlkeld, Sophia Turner

Allocated England players: Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone

Fixtures: August 29 - Lightning (a, 10.30am); August 31 - Central Sparks (h, 10.30am); September 5 - Central Sparks (a, 10.30am); September 10 - Northern Diamonds (h, 10.30am); September 13 - Lightning (h, 10.30am); September 19 - Northern Diamonds (a, 10.30am)

Squad Background

North West-based Thunder covers Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria. While it may be no surprise, given the traditional pedigrees of the respective counties that the entire Thunder squad is drawn from Lancashire, it is worth noting that there are players within the group who have developed through Cheshire and Cumbria cricket.

Six of the squad have KSL experience with Lancashire Thunder, and most have played county cricket. Despite that experience, there remains a youthful feel to the squad, with plenty of up-and-coming talent.

What do I need to know?

As well as the fifteen players chosen, England seamer Kate Cross and left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone (herself a Cheshire pathway product) plus England ‘Rookie’ contracted allrounder Emma Lamb will also be available for the opening weekend’s fixtures.

Thunder’s home fixtures will take place at Liverpool, although it is understood that the ‘home’ game against Central Sparks will be played at Edgbaston.

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Who are the star names?

World Cup-winner Alex Hartley will be the best-known name in the Thunder squad after her leading role in England’s 2017 campaign when she gained a reputation for snaring the big names, including two wickets in the Final. Hartley lost her England central contract twelve months ago but has been awarded a retainer by Thunder and will feel she has a point to prove.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Ellie Threlkeld, 21, has long been touted as a potential successor to Sarah Taylor and Amy Jones, and the former England Academy player has several seasons of KSL experience under her belt.

Likewise, opening batsman Georgie Boyce, another KSL regular for Lancashire Thunder and also still only 21, is another who lost her Academy place last year but will hope to seize this opportunity.

There is also experience in the form of 29-year old allrounder Nat Brown, who made her first appearance for Lancashire’s county team as long ago as 2006 and has featured for Lancashire Thunder throughout the KSL’s four summers.

Youngsters to look out for

Sixteen-year old left-arm spinner Olivia Thomas hails from Heywood CC, where England’s Cross began her career, and is a member of the England Academy training group.

She made her senior debut for Lancashire against Notts in 2019, picking up the prize wicket of Jenny Gunn, and also took a remarkable 8 for 10 last year against Durham in an under-17s T20 fixture.

Meanwhile, Liberty Heap is another 16-year old with fine potential. In 2015, the top order batsman and off-spinner was the youngest player ever to score an age-group century for Lancashire, at just 11 years of age, and is regarded very highly.

Sophia Turner, 17, may also be worth looking out for. The top order batsman and right-arm seamer has already made a good impression at club level to push for a place in the Thunder set-up.

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