Central Sparks Explained

Central Sparks
Colours:	Black and purple
Coach:	Darren Franklin & Justine Dunce
Captain:	Evelyn Jones (2020–)
Established:	2020
Ground:	Edgbaston Cricket Ground New Road, Worcester Sir Paul Getty's Ground Scorers, Shirley
Title1:	RHFT
Title1wins:	0
Title2:	CEC
Title2wins:	0
Website:	Central Sparks
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Central Sparks is a women's cricket team that represent the West Midlands region, one of eight regional hubs in English domestic women's cricket. They primarily play their home matches at Edgbaston and New Road.^{[1] [2]} They are captained by Evelyn Jones and coached by Darren Franklin and Justine Dunce.^{[3] [4]} The team is partnered with Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire.^[5]

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.^[6] Central Sparks were one of the sides created under this structure, representing the West Midlands and partnered with Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Staffordshire and Shropshire.^[5] The side was to be captained by Evelyn Jones and coached by Lloyd Tennant. 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]

In 2023, Central Sparks finished seventh out of eight in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and fifth out of eight in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy.^{[21] [22]} Sparks bowler Georgia Davis was the leading wicket-taker in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, with 27 wickets.^[23]

Home grounds

Venue	Games hosted by season
20	21	22	23	Total
Edgbaston Cricket Ground	2	2	2	4	10
New Road, Worcester	2	3	4	4	13
Edgbaston Foundation Ground	–	1	1	–	2
Sir Paul Getty's Ground	–	–	–	1	1
Scorers, Shirley	–	–	–	1	1

Players

Current squad

As per 2024 season.^[24]

• No. denotes the player's squad number, as worn on the back of their shirt.
• denotes players with international caps.

No.	Name	Nationality	Birth date	Batting style	Bowling style	Notes
Batters
2			12 July 2002	Right-handed
5			30 November 1999	Right-handed		Overseas player
6			6 June 1991	Left-handed
8			8 September 2006	Right-handed
11			8 August 1992	Left-handed		Club captain
All-rounders
14			7 July 1999	Right-handed
28			25 October 2004	Left-handed
77			16 September 1999	Right-handed
99	Katie George		7 April 1999	Right-handed
Wicket-keepers
27			12 November 1996	Right-handed	—
29			23 June 2000	Right-handed	—
40	Amy Jones		13 June 1993	Right-handed	—
Bowlers
3			3 February 2004	Right-handed
9			12 July 2002	Right-handed
17			17 August 1995	Right-handed
37			23 February 1998	Right-handed
45			30 October 2003	Right-handed
64			3 June 1999	Right-handed
95	Issy Wong		15 May 2002	Right-handed

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 2024 Academy are listed below:^[25]

Name	County
Meg Austin	Staffordshire
Sophie Beech	Staffordshire
Phoebe Brett	Worcestershire
Lexie Cantrill	Staffordshire
Emily Churms	Warwickshire/Shropshire
Isabel Ellsmore	Staffordshire
Hannah Hardwick	Worcestershire
Amy Griffiths	Shropshire
Libby Thomas	Wales
Ebony Tweats	Staffordshire

Overseas players

• Erin Burns – Australia (2023)
• Maddy Green – New Zealand (2023)
• Courtney Webb – Australia (2024)

Coaching staff

• Head Coaches: Darren Franklin & Justine Dunce
  • Regional Director: Laura Macleod Team Operations Manager: Beth Gaskell
• Physiotherapist: Julia Sawkings & Becky Webber
• Strength & Conditioning Lead: Nick Karamouzis
• Strength & Conditioning Coach: Andy Harland
• Talent Manager: Lauren Rowles
• Performance Analyst: George Isaacs

As of the 2024 season.^[26]

Seasons

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy

Season	Final standing	League standings^[27]									Notes
		P	W	L	T	NR	BP	Pts	NRR	Pos
2020		6	3	3	0	0	1	13	−0.285	2nd	DNQ
2021		7	5	2	0	0	2	22	+0.822	3rd	Lost to Northern Diamonds in the semi-final
2022		7	2	4	0	1	1	11	+0.073	5th	DNQ
2023		14	6	5	1	2	1	31	–0.233	5th	DNQ

Charlotte Edwards Cup

Season	Final standing	League standings									Notes
		P	W	L	T	NR	BP	Pts	NRR	Pos
2021		6	3	3	0	0	0	12	–0.669	3rd	DNQ
2022		6	4	2	0	0	1	17	+0.552	2nd	Lost to Southern Vipers in the final
2023		7	2	5	0	0	0	8	–0.558	7th	DNQ

Statistics

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy – summary of results

Year	Played	Wins	Losses	Tied	NR	Win %
2020	6	3	3	0	0	50.00
2021	8	5	3	0	0	62.50
2022	7	2	4	0	1	28.57
2023	14	6	5	1	2	42.86
Total	35	16	15	1	3	45.71

• 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^[28]

Opposition	Mat	Won	Lost	Tied	NR	Win %
	7	4	3	0	0	57.14
	6	3	2	1	0	50.00
	4	2	2	0	0	50.00
	4	2	2	0	0	50.00
	4	2	1	0	1	50.00
	6	0	5	0	1	0.00
	4	3	0	0	1	100.00

Charlotte Edwards Cup

Charlotte Edwards Cup - summary of results

Year	Played	Wins	Losses	Tied	NR	Win %
2021	6	3	3	0	0	50.00
2022	8	5	3	0	0	62.50
2023	7	2	5	0	0	28.57
Total	21	10	11	0	0	47.62

• 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 %
	1	0	1	0	0	0.00
	1	0	1	0	0	0.00
	6	2	4	0	0	33.33
	4	2	2	0	0	50.00
	3	3	0	0	0	100.00
	3	2	1	0	0	66.67
	3	1	2	0	0	33.33

Records

Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy

• Highest team total: 296/9, v Lightning on 18 September 2021.^{[29] [30] [31] [32]}
• Lowest (completed) team total: 131 v South East Stars on 16 September 2023.^{[29] [30] [31] [32]}
• Highest individual score: 163, Amy Jones v Western Storm on 31 May 2021.^{[33] [34] [35] [36]}
• Best individual bowling analysis: 5/29, Emily Arlott v Southern Vipers on 5 June 2021.^{[37] [38] [39] [40]}
• Most runs: 1,297 runs in 33 matches, Evelyn Jones.^{[41] [42] [43] [44]}
• Most wickets: 44 wickets in 25 matches, Georgia Davis.^{[45] [46] [47] [48]}

Charlotte Edwards Cup

• Highest team total: 170/6, v South East Stars on 18 May 2022.^{[49] [50] [51]}
• Lowest (completed) team total: 109/8 v Southern Vipers on 11 June 2022.^{[49] [50] [51]}
• Highest individual score: 100, Marie Kelly v Southern Vipers on 25 August 2021.^{[52] [53] [54]}
• Best individual bowling analysis: 4/12, Georgia Davis v Lightning on 10 July 2021.^{[55] [56] [57]}
• Most runs: 569 runs in 20 matches, Evelyn Jones.^{[58] [59] [60]}
• Most wickets: 18 wickets in 11 matches, Grace Potts and 18 wickets in 16 matches, Emily Arlott.^{[61] [62] [63]}

See also

• Shropshire Women cricket team
• Staffordshire Women cricket team
• Warwickshire Women cricket team
• Worcestershire Women cricket team

Notes and References

1. Web site: Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Fixtures . England and Wales Cricket Board . 6 June 2021.
2. Web site: Women's Regional T20 2021 - Fixtures . England and Wales Cricket Board . 6 June 2021.
3. Web site: Central Sparks Staff . Edgbaston Cricket . 1 January 2021.
4. Web site: Sparks Part Company with Tennant and Ostler . Central Sparks . 1 June 2024 . 1 June 2024.
5. Web site: About Central Sparks . Edgbaston Cricket . 1 January 2021.
6. Web site: ECB launches new plan to transform women's and girls' cricket . England and Wales Cricket Board . 26 September 2021.
7. Web site: Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy: The special-edition 50-over competition explained . the Cricketer . 11 August 2020 . 26 September 2021.
8. Web site: Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2020/Table. ESPNCricinfo . 26 September 2021.
9. Web site: Forty-one female players sign full-time domestic contracts . England and Wales Cricket Board . 26 September 2021.
10. Web site: Charlotte Edwards Cup 2021/Table . ESPNCricinfo . 26 September 2021.
11. Web site: Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2021/Table . ESPNCricinfo . 26 September 2021.
12. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021/Highest Scores . ESPNCricinfo. 26 September 2021.
13. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings . ESPNCricinfo. 26 September 2021.
14. Web site: Northern Diamonds ease into final with win over Central Sparks . ESPNCricinfo. 26 September 2021.
15. Web site: Charlotte Edwards Cup 2022/Table . ESPNcricinfo . 5 June 2022.
16. Web site: Northampton, June 11 2022, Charlotte Edwards Cup: South East Stars v Central Sparks . ESPNcricinfo . 11 June 2022.
17. Web site: Final, Northampton, June 11 2022, Charlotte Edwards Cup: Southern Vipers v Central Sparks . 11 June 2022.
18. Web site: Jones wins Charlotte Edwards Cup award . 11 June 2022 . 13 June 2022.
19. Web site: West Midlands Regional Cup Launches This Weekend . Central Sparks . 13 July 2022 . 14 July 2022.
20. Web site: Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2022/Table . ESPNcricinfo . 27 September 2022.
21. Web site: Charlotte Edwards Cup 2023/Tables . England and Wales Cricket Board . 27 September 2023.
22. Web site: Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy 2023 . England and Wales Cricket Board . 27 September 2023.
23. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023/Most Wickets . ESPNCricinfo. 27 September 2023.
24. Web site: Central Sparks 2023 Squad Announcement . Central Sparks . 18 April 2023 . 18 April 2023.
25. Web site: Central Sparks Academy 2024 . Central Sparks . 19 October 2023 . 19 October 2023.
26. Web site: Central Sparks Staff . Central Sparks . 3 May 2023.
27. Web site: Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Tables . ESPN Cricinfo . 1 January 2021.
28. Web site: Central Sparks Match Results . ESPN Cricinfo . 1 January 2021.
29. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Central Sparks/Highest totals . ESPN Cricinfo . 4 September 2021.
30. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Central Sparks/Highest totals . ESPN Cricinfo . 25 September 2021.
31. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Central Sparks/Highest totals . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2022.
32. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - Central Sparks/Highest totals . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2023.
33. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Central Sparks/High scores . ESPN Cricinfo . 4 September 2021.
34. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Central Sparks/High scores . ESPN Cricinfo . 25 September 2021.
35. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Central Sparks/High scores . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2022.
36. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - Central Sparks/High scores . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2023.
37. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Central Sparks/Best bowling figures in an innings . ESPN Cricinfo . 4 September 2021.
38. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Central Sparks/Best bowling figures in an innings . ESPN Cricinfo . 25 September 2021.
39. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Central Sparks/Best bowling figures in an innings . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2022.
40. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - Central Sparks/Best bowling figures in an innings . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2023.
41. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Central Sparks/Most runs . ESPN Cricinfo . 4 September 2021.
42. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Central Sparks/Most runs . ESPN Cricinfo . 25 September 2021.
43. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Central Sparks/Most runs . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2022.
44. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - Central Sparks/Most runs . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2023.
45. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2020 - Central Sparks/Most wickets . ESPN Cricinfo . 4 September 2021.
46. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2021 - Central Sparks/Most wickets . ESPN Cricinfo . 25 September 2021.
47. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2022 - Central Sparks/Most wickets . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2022.
48. Web site: Records/Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, 2023 - Central Sparks/Most wickets . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2023.
49. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Central Sparks/Highest Totals . ESPN Cricinfo . 5 September 2021.
50. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Central Sparks/Highest Totals . ESPN Cricinfo . 11 June 2022.
51. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - Central Sparks/Highest Totals . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2023.
52. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Central Sparks/High Scores . ESPN Cricinfo . 5 September 2021.
53. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Central Sparks/High Scores . ESPN Cricinfo . 11 June 2022.
54. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - Central Sparks/High Scores . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2023.
55. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Central Sparks/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings . ESPN Cricinfo . 5 September 2021.
56. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Central Sparks/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings . ESPN Cricinfo . 11 June 2022.
57. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - Central Sparks/Best Bowling Figures in an Innings . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2023.
58. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Central Sparks/Most runs . ESPN Cricinfo . 5 September 2021.
59. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Central Sparks/Most runs . ESPN Cricinfo . 11 June 2022.
60. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - Central Sparks/Most runs . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2023.
61. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2021 - Central Sparks/Most wickets . ESPN Cricinfo . 5 September 2021.
62. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2022 - Central Sparks/Most wickets . ESPN Cricinfo . 11 June 2022.
63. Web site: Records/Charlotte Edwards Cup, 2023 - Central Sparks/Most wickets . ESPN Cricinfo . 27 September 2023.