Central Sparks

Central Sparks are a women's cricket team that represent the West Midlands region, one of eight regional hubs in English domestic women's cricket. They play their home matches at Edgbaston and New Road.[1][2] They are captained by Evelyn Jones and coached by Lloyd Tennant.[3] The team is partnered with Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire.[4]

Central Sparks
Personnel
CaptainEvelyn Jones (2020–)
CoachLloyd Tennant (2020–)
Team information
Colours   Black and purple
Established2020
Home groundEdgbaston Cricket Ground
New Road, Worcester
Edgbaston Foundation Ground
History
RHFT wins0
CEC wins0
Official websiteCentral Sparks

Playing kit

History

In 2020, women's cricket in England was restructured, creating eight new 'regional hub' teams, with the intention of playing both 50-over and 20-over cricket.[5] Central Sparks were one of the sides created under this structure, representing the West Midlands and partnered with Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire.[4] The side was to be captained by Evelyn Jones and coached by Lloyd Tennant.[6] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 season was truncated, and only 50-over cricket was played, in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.[7] Central Sparks finished second in the North Group of the competition, winning three of their six games but failing to progress to the final.[8] At the end of the season, five Sparks players were given full-time domestic contracts, the first of their kind in England: Evelyn Jones, Marie Kelly, Issy Wong, Emily Arlott and Gwenan Davies.[9]

The following season, 2021, Sparks competed in both the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and the newly-formed Twenty20 competition, the Charlotte Edwards Cup. In the Charlotte Edwards Cup the side finished third in their group, winning three of their six matches.[10] In the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, Central Sparks qualified for the knockout stages of the tournament, finishing third in the group of eight with five wins from their seven matches.[11] During the group stages, Amy Jones hit the highest score of the tournament, scoring 163* against Western Storm, whilst Emily Arlott recorded the best individual bowling figures of the tournament against Southern Vipers, taking 5/29 including a hat-trick.[12][13] In the play-off, however, the side lost to Northern Diamonds by 6 wickets to be eliminated from the competition.[14] In 2022, they reached the final of the Charlotte Edwards Cup after finishing second in Group A and beating South East Stars in the semi-final.[15][16] However, they lost to Southern Vipers in the final.[17] Sparks batter Amy Jones was the leading run-scorer in the tournament, with 289 runs, and was named the PCA Player of the Tournament.[18] In July 2022, the side launched the West Midlands Regional Cup, to aid the development of players playing for county sides in the region.[19] The side finished fifth in the group of eight in the 2022 Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.[20]

Home grounds
Venue Games hosted by season
202122Total
Edgbaston Cricket Ground2226
New Road, Worcester2349
Edgbaston Foundation Ground–112

Players

Current squad

As per 2023 season.[21]

  • No. denotes the player's squad number, as worn on the back of their shirt.
  • double-dagger denotes players with international caps.
No. Name Nationality Birth date Batting style Bowling style Notes
Batters
2Chloe Brewer England (2002-07-12) 12 July 2002Right-handedRight-arm medium
6Ami Campbell England (1991-06-06) 6 June 1991Left-handedRight-arm medium
8Davina Perrin England (2006-09-08) 8 September 2006Right-handedRight-arm medium
11Evelyn Jones England (1992-08-08) 8 August 1992Left-handedLeft-arm mediumClub captain
All-rounders
14Bethan Ellis England (1999-07-07) 7 July 1999Right-handedRight-arm medium
20Erin Burns double-dagger Australia (1988-06-22) 22 June 1988Right-handedRight-arm off breakOverseas player
28Charis Pavely England (2004-10-24) 24 October 2004Left-handedSlow left-arm orthodox
77Ria Fackrell England (1999-09-16) 16 September 1999Right-handedRight-arm off break
99Katie George double-dagger England (1999-04-07) 7 April 1999Right-handedLeft-arm medium
Wicket-keepers
27Abigail Freeborn England (1996-11-12) 12 November 1996Right-handed—
29Poppy Davies England (2000-06-23) 23 June 2000Right-handed—
40Amy Jones double-dagger England (1993-06-13) 13 June 1993Right-handed—
Bowlers
3Hannah Baker England (2004-02-03) 3 February 2004Right-handedRight-arm leg break
9Grace Potts England (2002-07-12) 12 July 2002Right-handedRight-arm medium
17Anisha Patel England (1995-08-17) 17 August 1995Right-handedRight-arm leg break
37Emily Arlott England (1998-02-23) 23 February 1998Right-handedRight-arm medium
42Elizabeth Russell England (1994-05-22) 22 May 1994Left-handedRight-arm medium
45Ellie Anderson England (2003-10-30) 30 October 2003Right-handedRight-arm medium
64Georgia Davis England (1999-06-03) 3 June 1999Right-handedRight-arm off break
95Issy Wong double-dagger England (2002-05-15) 15 May 2002Right-handedRight-arm medium

Academy

The Central Sparks Academy team plays against other regional academies in friendly and festival matches across various formats. The Academy selects players from across the West Midlands region, and includes some players who are also in the first team squad. Players in the 2022/23 Academy are listed below:[22]

Name County
Ellie AndersonWorcestershire
Meg AustinStaffordshire
Sophie BeechStaffordshire
Caitlin BelcherShropshire
Lexie CantrillStaffordshire
Emily ChurmsWarwickshire/Shropshire
Isabel EllsmoreStaffordshire
Hannah HardwickWorcestershire
Charis PavelyWorcestershire
Laura SmittenWarwickshire
Libby ThomasWales
Ebony TweatsStaffordshire

Overseas players

Coaching staff
  • Head Coach: Lloyd Tennant
  • Regional Director: Laura Macleod
  • Academy Head Coach: Darren Franklin
  • Team Operations Manager: Beth Gaskell
  • Physiotherapist: Jill Chapman
  • Strength & Conditioning Coach: Tom Summers
  • Assistant Coach: Dominic Ostler
  • Team Doctor: Kim Gregory
  • Talent Manager: Lauren Rowles

As of the 2023 season.[6]

Seasons

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
Season Final standing League standings[23] Notes
P W L T NR BP Pts NRR Pos
2020 Group stage 63300113−0.2852nd DNQ
2021 Losing semi-finalists: 3rd 75200222+0.8223rd Lost to Northern Diamonds in the semi-final
2022 Group stage 72401111+0.0735th DNQ

Charlotte Edwards Cup
Season Final standing League standings Notes
P W L T NR BP Pts NRR Pos
2021 Group stages 63300012–0.6693rd DNQ
2022 Runners-up 64200117+0.5522nd Lost to Southern Vipers in the final

Statistics

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy – summary of results[23]
Year Played Wins Losses Tied NR Win %
2020 6330050.00
2021 8530062.50
2022 7240128.57
Total 2110100147.62
  • Abandoned matches are counted as NR (no result)
  • Win or loss by super over or boundary count are counted as tied.
Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy – teamwise result summary[24]
Opposition Mat Won Lost Tied NR Win %
Lightning403010.00
Northern Diamonds5230040.00
North West Thunder4220050.00
South East Stars2110050.00
Southern Vipers2110050.00
Sunrisers22000100.00
Western Storm22000100.00

Charlotte Edwards Cup
Charlotte Edwards Cup - summary of results
Year Played Wins Losses Tied NR Win %
2021 6330050.00
2022 8530062.50
Total 14860057.14
  • Abandoned matches are counted as NR (no result)
  • Win or loss by super over or boundary count are counted as tied.
Charlotte Edwards Cup - teamwise result summary
Opposition Mat Won Lost Tied NR Win %
Lightning22000100.00
South East Stars5230040.00
Southern Vipers3120033.33
Sunrisers22000100.00
Western Storm2110050.00

Records

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy

Charlotte Edwards Cup

See also

References
  1. "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Fixtures". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  2. "Women's Regional T20 2021 - Fixtures". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  3. "Central Sparks Staff". Edgbaston Cricket. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  4. "About Central Sparks". Edgbaston Cricket. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  5. "ECB launches new plan to transform women's and girls' cricket". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  6. "Central Sparks Staff". Central Sparks. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
  7. "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy: The special-edition 50-over competition explained". the Cricketer. 11 August 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  8. "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2020/Table". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  9. "Forty-one female players sign full-time domestic contracts". England and Wales Cricket Board. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  10. "Charlotte Edwards Cup 2021/Table". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  11. "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2021/Table". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  12. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021/Highest Scores". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  13. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  14. "Northern Diamonds ease into final with win over Central Sparks". ESPNCricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
  15. "Charlotte Edwards Cup 2022/Table". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  16. "Northampton, June 11 2022, Charlotte Edwards Cup: South East Stars v Central Sparks". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  17. "Final, Northampton, June 11 2022, Charlotte Edwards Cup: Southern Vipers v Central Sparks". Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  18. "Jones wins Charlotte Edwards Cup award". 11 June 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  19. "West Midlands Regional Cup Launches This Weekend". Central Sparks. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  20. "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2022/Table". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  21. "Central Sparks 2023 Squad Announcement". Central Sparks. 18 April 2023. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  22. "Central Sparks Confirm 2023 Academy Squad and Expanded Emerging Player Programme". Central Sparks. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022.
  23. "Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Tables". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  24. "Central Sparks Match Results". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 January 2021.
  25. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Central Sparks/Highest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  26. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Central Sparks/Highest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  27. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Central Sparks/Highest totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  28. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Central Sparks/High scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  29. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Central Sparks/High scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
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  31. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Central Sparks/Best bowling figures in an innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  32. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Central Sparks/Best bowling figures in an innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  33. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Central Sparks/Best bowling figures in an innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  34. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Central Sparks/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  35. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Central Sparks/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  36. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Central Sparks/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  37. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Central Sparks/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  38. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Central Sparks/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  39. "Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Central Sparks/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
  40. "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Central Sparks/Highest Totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  41. "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Central Sparks/Highest Totals". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  42. "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Central Sparks/High Scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  43. "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Central Sparks/High Scores". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  44. "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Central Sparks/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  45. "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Central Sparks/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  46. "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Central Sparks/Most runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
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  48. "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Central Sparks/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 5 September 2021.
  49. "Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Central Sparks/Most wickets". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
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