The anthems are on the way, and it looks like a good crowd sitting in the Southampton amphitheatre. I know a lot of people don’t love this ground, but I’m a fan. Lewis and Sciver-Brunt lead out the mascots, and the teams.
Ireland XI: Amy Hunter (wk), Alana Dalzell, Gaby Lewis (c), Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Leah Paul, Alice Tector, Arlene Kelly, Louise Little, Cara Murray, Aimee Maguire.
Tash Farrant says Amy Hunt and Orla Predergast are England’s most wanted.
England XI: Wyatt-Hodge, Jones (wk), Sciver-Brunt (c), Capsey, Knight, Kemp, Gibson, Dean, Ecclestone, Smith, Bell.
England are unchanged.
England win the toss and will bowl
Nat Sciver Brunt:“We’ve seen some really good chases at this ground and are looking forwad to seeing how it goes. We showed great composure in the first match.” They are unchanged from the opening game against Sri Lanka.
The sports minister Steph Peacock has been at Southampton today as part of a taskforce looking to grow women’s sport.
7.15 toss - reduced overs 7.35 start
Lauren Bell loves bowling here, Danni Wyatt Hodge loves batting here. Hopefully they get their chance today.
Pitch inspection at 7pm
The covers are off. Nasser Hussain and Tash Farrant say that fielding will be crucial in these slippery conditions.
Updated
It’s stopped raining at Southampton and the players are doing vigorous warm-ups. Still a bit away from the toss though I think.
”We’re a team of staff from England Netball volunteering at the game volunteering as flag bearers,” writes Jodie Anthony. “We wanted to use our volunteering day to advocate for our fellow women’s sport and be part of the excitement of the T20 World Cup. It was much sunnier when we walked the flags out for the first game.”
That is so lovely to see! I can’t upload the photo you sent at the moment but I will continue prodding at the buttons.
Updated
Stories of women's cricket in Scotland wanted!
With the support of Cricket Scotland, Fiona Reid and Bunny Warren are trying to find hidden stories of women’s cricket in Scotland from the last 150 years. If you have any tucked up your sleeve, please do contact them at Fiona.Reid@bayfirth.co.uk . Find out more here
Updated
Update – still raining.
Updated
Rain
The weather is not currently playing ball. “Full covers on,” says Raf. “The crowd has retreated under shelter.Should pass fairly quickly but we may get a delayed start.”
Updated
Raf is in position at Southampton – though she has provided no reports of any fancy cheescake yet. “Hello! I’m currently watching the end of a fascinating NZ v Sri Lanka contest. The ground is about half full at the moment - they’re expecting almost 10,000 people in for the England game.”
And in fact Sri Lanka have just won a thriller by five wickets, with two balls to spare.
Preamble
Good evening! Let’s get stuck in – England’s second match of the tournament after their dicing of Sri Lanka, and Ireland’s second after losing rather disappointingly to Scotland by 40 runs. They’ll be keen to give England a run from their money today, with much depending on Orla Prendergast, the talented all rounder who plays as the overseas for the Blaze , especially as former captain Laura Delany is missing the whole tournament through injury.
The toss is at 6pm – do send me a message if you’re at Southampton, or if you’ve got any thoughts on what’s going on – I’d love to hear from you.
Updated
