Durham head to Guildford, looking to book a place at Finals Day when they take on Surrey in the Vitality T20 County Cup on Friday, starting at 2:30pm.
Danielle Hazell has named a 12-player squad for the quarter final which features Lauren Filer for the first time, in addition to Bella Johnson- who has signed on loan from Essex.
Filer is in line for her Durham debut as she returns from a knee injury after featuring for the ECB Development XI against West Indies on Sunday.
Essex all-rounder Johnson has signed a short-term loan deal with Durham and is in line to face Surrey on Friday due to Grace Thompson, Harriet Robson and Trudy Johnson all undertaking exams on Friday.
A right-handed batter and right-arm off-spinner, Bella Johnson became the first graduate of Essex Women’s Academy earlier this year, having captained Essex U18’s to victory in the 2023 T20 County Cup.
Suzie Bates- as an overseas professional, is ineligible to feature in the County Cup.
Durham secured a thrilling super over victory against Somerset in round three of the County Cup before falling to a 35-run One Day Cup defeat against Lancashire on Monday.
Durham face a Surrey side who defeated Hampshire by 57 runs after scoring 237/7 in round three of the County Cup before managing a narrow 50-over victory over Essex.
The hosts are likely to be without Paige Scholfield, Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley and Dani Wyatt-Hodge due to international commitments.
Words from Danielle Hazell
I think we got ourselves in a position to win the game and it really ebbed and flowed throughout the second innings against what was a very good Lancashire attack on a pitch which got quite spicy with some spin and bounce.
We built two good partnerships and if they had gone on a touch longer we might have needed only 20 or 25 runs and it might have been a bit more interesting so partnerships were key.
We talked a lot about being disciplined and we weren’t against Lancashire. The 30 wides is a massive indicator on maybe where the game was won or lost and that’s something we need to take away and take into the games coming up.
Squad v Somerset (23 May)
Hollie Armitage*, Lauren Filer, Katherine Fraser, Abi Glen, Bess Heath+, Bella Johnson, Katie Levick, Emma Marlow, Mia Rogers, Phoebe Turner, Sophia Turner, Mady Villiers
Opposition Corner
Captain: Bryony Smith
Head Coach: Johann Myburgh
The big questions: Surrey’s predecessors, the South East Stars, were consistently one of the strongest sides in the country, but only had one Charlotte Edwards Trophy to show for it. Will some exceptionally smart new signings in Grace Harris and Danni Wyatt-Hodge help them convert a series of second and third-places into silverware?
Player to watch: Harris is the kind of player who could take the women’s game in England to an entirely different level. World-class with bat and more than useful with the ball, her influence on the younger players could be pivotal.
Young gun: Tilly Corteen-Coleman was The Hundred’s youngest-ever player when she made her debut for the Southern Brave last year, aged just 16. Born in the hospital next door to Kent’s St Lawrence Ground, she was part of the Stars’ academy and instantly looked at home in the first team.
Final thought: Surrey have plenty of star quality with England players Alice Capsey, Sophia Dunkley, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Ryana MacDonald-Gay no doubt eager to get to work back in domestic ranks after they were on the winter tour to Australia.
Match Centre
The Club’s match centre will be in operation for the fixture with live scorecards, statistics & video highlights as they happen. You can watch the game live via Durham’s match centre and Surrey YouTube channel. Durham Cricket will have full coverage on social media, with a full match report at the close.