Ten players to watch during the Charlotte Edwards Cup

South East Stars were the inaugural winners of the competition in 2021, and they’ll hope to be defending their trophy in Northampton on Saturday June 11.

Find out more about the competition here including how you can watch and keep up to date with scores.

The Charlotte Edwards Cup is the first professional 20-over cricket taking place in England and Wales this season, in the year that marks the 20^th anniversary of Twenty20 cricket.

To preview the weekend’s action, we asked a number of our England Women’s players to each pick out a player to watch in this year’s competition.

Tara Norris (Southern Vipers)

Tara bowled really well against us in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy last season. She took a couple of wickets and alongside Lauren Bell she basically dismissed our top order. She’s been out at the Fairbreak competition, which I’m sure has been beneficial to her, and she’s also been playing for the USA. She’s a left-arm seamer and we don’t have too many of them in the country. Our first Thunder game is against Vipers, and she’s good friends with our keeper Ellie Threlkeld, which should provide a nice battle first up. Kate Cross

Alice Capsey (South East Stars)

An unbelievably gifted cricketer with a temperament and maturity beyond her years. She has all the shots and knows when to use them. Also bowls off spin which has an annoying way of getting me out. Expect fireworks. Georgia Elwiss

Dani Gibson (Western Storm)

I’ve been impressed with Dani Gibson when I’ve seen her, and more so when I played alongside her in The Hundred for London Spirit. I remember her bowling to us at Bristol back in 2017, during the ICC Women’s World Cup. She’s a great character, a solid allrounder and she can hit a long ball, which is ideal for T20 cricket. She’s come back from a few injuries, as well, which says a lot about her. Tammy Beaumont

Issy Wong (Central Sparks)

Everyone knows what Issy can do with the ball – and if they don’t know yet, they will know soon. She’s quick, she’s aggressive, she gives it everything every time and she always wants the ball in her hand. She’s a really exciting prospect. She has been in and around England camps and she’s got a really exciting future. Also, her power hitting has come on a lot – she hit a very quick 90-odd recently in county cricket. Danni Wyatt

Kathryn Bryce (Lightning)

I played with Kathryn in The Hundred and she is just so impressive. She’s very calm and composed on and off the field, which I think is a real strength, and she keeps her cool so well in moments of high pressure. If she’s ever tested or taken down by another player she always has something to combat it, with bat or ball. Lastly she’s very open and honest, which is why she’s so good at giving advice about game plans or how to play certain players. Sarah Glenn

Ellie Threlkeld (Thunder)

I’m going to be loyal to the wicket-keepers’ union and pick Ellie Threlkeld. She’s got really fast hands. It’s a tough job that often you only really appreciate when you see somebody else doing it well and Ellie absolutely does it well. She’s got more responsibility for Thunder these days, both with the bat and as captain, and it could be a big year for her. Amy Jones

Hollie Armitage (Northern Diamonds)

Hollie is a really talented cricketer. She offers something with bat and ball and she’s become a really experienced player at domestic level. She’s started the season well with good performances in the north v south games and warm-up games, and she looks really fit and focused after a strong pre-season. Lauren Winfield-Hill

Abtaha Maqsood (Sunrisers)

Abtaha was one of the break-out performers from The Hundred last season. You’ve always got to be wary of a leg-spinner and I think given that there aren’t many leg-spinners in the women’s game, they’re even more of a risk. She’s got great control, bowls at a really good pace and she’s always looking to take wickets. I think she’s a really good addition to the Sunrisers team and I’m sure she’ll be a solid performer for them this season. Nat Sciver

Lauren Bell (Southern Vipers)

I think a really exciting player to watch is Lauren Bell. She’s really developed her control and variations over the last couple of years, along with her dangerous in-swing with a new ball. Following on from being on tour with the World Cup squad, and now being coached by Anya Shrubsole this summer, I think it could be a really exciting season for her. Freya Davies

Ella McCaughan (Southern Vipers)

Ella is a really promising young batter. She’s technically correct, and she’s already scored a lot of runs in domestic cricket. She formed a really good opening partnership with Georgia Adams in the first year of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, when the Vipers won the trophy, and she’s only 19 so there’s still so much time for her to grow and improve and get even better. Sophia Dunkley