Northamptonshire Steelbacks Women head to Hove tomorrow for their penultimate game in the Vitality Blast Women’s League 2.
The Steelbacks sit 5th in a tightly grouped division and a win would boost their chances at qualifying for Finals Day on Sunday 12th July.
Currently on 14 points, a win would see the Steelbacks Women climb to third and into the qualification spots just ahead of Kent and Worcestershire.
Last weekend, the Steelbacks came out on the wrong side of a low-scoring thriller with Kent Women at Canterbury. After being 104 all out, the visitors bowled brilliantly but a last ball boundary from Zeena Bilal gave the hosts all four points.
After narrowly missing out on Finals Day last year, Sussex have been unable to replicate any form and find themselves bottom of the group with one win from six games.
Play is set to start at 3pm tomorrow, and you can follow the game via the Sussex livestream and through our live match updates on our social media channels.
Squad news:
The 13-strong squad includes Clara Thaker and Bethan Robinson, as they return to the Steelbacks side after missing the game against Kent. Mabel Reid and Beth Ascott are both unavailable for this fixture.
Steelbacks squad to face Sussex:
Gemma Marriott (c), Emily Carpenter, Ava Clive, May Drinkell, Chloe Hill (wk), Amelia Kemp, Anisha Patel, Ella Phillips, Alicia Presland, Bethan Robinson, Liz Russell, Lenny Sims, Clara Thaker
Opponent preview:
Sussex Women
Head Coach: Alexia Walker
Captain: Chiara Green
2025 Finish: 3rd in South Group
Player to watch: Mollie Adams – The 19-year-old top order batter has been a bright spark the Sussex campaign so far. Adams has hit three half centuries on her way to 235 runs from six appearances. During May, Adams was in fine form, hitting back-to-back-to-back fifties and she has also featured for England U19’s this summer.