Day 25: Things Get Serious

What was clear last summer that even though the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy was arranged at short notice, the teams involved were taking it seriously. There still is serious discussion as to what direction the regional centres are going in terms of playing staff. Is there too much focus on the future? Or should the best players regardless of age, be chosen?

What cannot be doubted is the investment being made by each regional centre. One look at the Thunder coaching staff shows undoubted class under head coach Paul Shaw who previously had a spell as England Women's coach.

Craig White, his assistant, will prove invaluable with a wealth of knowledge. As will Stephen Parry as spin bowling coach. With Alex Hartley and Hannah Jones two of Thunder's main spinners and with a chance of Sophie Ecclestone available when not on England duty, Parry will have three outstanding left-arm spinners to help coach. Parry also a left-arm spinner played white-ball cricket for England, and this will be his first full-time coaching role after retiring at the end of last season.

Western Storm announced a partnership with the Bendac group to work on their digital services. What improved massively, mainly due to Covid-19, was the streaming of games. Every team upped their game. It has become apparent that there is a market for the women's game at a domestic level and that it needs to be covered properly.

England sign off in style

England completed a 2-0 series win in Sri Lanka, winning the second Test by six wickets. Sri Lanka had moments in both Tests to win each game. Joe Root lead from the front and even took two wickets today to ensure England would not have to chase over 200.

Root now has a lower Test bowling average than batting average. It would be laughable to call him an all-rounder, but the stats do lie.

There is a lot of work for England ahead for England. It was pleasing for Dom Sibley to get some runs in his final innings of the Test year's Sri Lanka leg.

New Zealand will tour

Today The ECB announced that England will be playing New Zealand in two Tests early this summer. New Zealand is currently the top-ranked Test team. It somehow doesn't feel right that they are shoehorned in and for only two tests. Hopefully, we will see New Zealand more often in the Test arena and over here.