Bouchier backs Vipers for third consecutive title

Charlotte Edwards Cup finals day, County Ground, Derby

Date: Saturday, 22 June Coverage: Listen and travel unrecorded matter commentary connected nan BBC Sport website and app

Maia Bouchier says Southern Vipers spell into Saturday's Finals Day astatine Derby assured of winning a 3rd consecutive Charlotte Edwards Cup.

Both semi-finals are a repetition of Wednesday's last group games, erstwhile Vipers hammered South East Stars and The Blaze hit Central Sparks.

And Bouchier, who played successful some nan seven-wicket triumph complete The Blaze astatine Worcester a twelvemonth agone and nan six-wicket triumph complete Central Sparks astatine Northampton successful 2022, is keen to bent connected to nan trophy.

Speaking aft Wednesday's 113-run triumph astatine Hove, she told BBC Radio Solent: "We want to bring Lottie home. That's nan aim. You want to play successful those moments and precocious unit situations."

11:00 BST - First semi-final: The Blaze v Central Sparks

14:30 - Second semi-final: South East Stars v Southern Vipers

18:45 - Final

Both sides could make changes arsenic Vipers invited backmost Lauren Bell while nan Stars, inaugural winners successful 2021, could spot nan return of Sophia Dunkley, who connected Thursday was recalled to nan England squad for nan forthcoming T20 bid against New Zealand.

"They mightiness person large players coming successful but truthful will we," said Bouchier. "We're ace excited to meet them again. Hopefully, we'll triumph that semi and spell into nan final.

"We did truthful well, some pinch bat and ball. Going into nan adjacent game, we request to do nan aforesaid and beryllium affirmative and put connected a decent score."

Despite Wednesday's defeat, Stars vanished 8 points clear of Vipers successful nan group, winning 7 retired of 10 matches.

Stars tin besides constituent to having won by six wickets pinch 11 balls to spare in their erstwhile gathering astatine The Kia Oval astatine nan commencement of June.

"We've played immoderate really bully cricket successful this competition," said Stars coach Johann Myburgh. "We are afloat of assurance going into nan weekend."

He was keen to brushwood disconnected Wednesday's result, admitting: "We didn't rather execute arsenic good arsenic we tin and we dropped 1 aliases 2 catches which is different for us. Then we mislaid a small spot of intent pinch nan bat.

"You tin person lopsided victories successful T20 cricket and we're not overly concerned. We will reappraisal it arsenic a group and past prepare."

In Saturday's first semi, Sparks, runners-up successful 2022, meet past year's runners-up The Blaze.

In what is besides a rematch from Wednesday, Sparks are hoping for 3rd clip fortunate aft 2 erstwhile grounded attempts to hit The Blaze successful this year's competition.

As good arsenic this week's five-wicket conclusion astatine Edgbaston, which costs them 3rd spot successful nan table, they lost by 10 runs astatine Trent Bridge connected 31 May.

"We had a batch to play for successful position of wherever we vanished successful nan array truthful it was disappointing to lose," said skipper Eve Jones.

"Now we person Blaze again successful nan semi-final connected Saturday. We person played them a fewer times truthful we cognize what we are up against. We will person a look astatine what their broadside could beryllium and make judge we get our match-ups right."

But Blaze person nan competition's starring run-scorer successful Scotland world Kathryn Bryce, who has made 4 half-centuries successful hitting 372 successful 10 matches.

"It's beautiful batting pinch Brycey," said her Blaze team-mate Marie Kelly. "She is successful specified unbelievable form.

"When you are retired location pinch her, she runs truthful difficult that you cognize nan runs are going to support flowing.

"We meet Sparks again connected Finals Day. This was a awesome to chance to spot really different players spell astir their business and what we mightiness beryllium coming up against. We tin hole and scheme really good and hopefully execute nan aforesaid way."