Charlotte Edwards Cup: Women's regional T20 competition gets under way this weekend, with eight teams battling it out for the trophy
South East Stars were the inaugural winners of the Charlotte Edwards Cup in 2021; They kick off their defence against North West Thunder on Saturday, with the winner crowned at Finals Day on Saturday June 11
Last Updated: 13/05/22 1:15pm
Entering into its second year, the Charlotte Edwards Cup kicks off a big summer of T20 cricket, with eight teams battling it out for the trophy.
Named after England women's most-capped player, the tournament will see eight women's regional teams battling it out for the trophy in the 20-over competition, each playing six group-stage matches in two groups of four.
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Charlotte Edwards Cup- Group Stages
| Group A | Central Sparks, South East Stars, Sunrisers, Western Storm |
| Group B | Lightning, Northern Diamonds, Thunder, Southern Vipers |
The best-performing group winner will then immediately progress to the final, with the semi-final also played on Finals Day between the other group winner and the best second-placed team.
South East Stars will be looking to defend their 2021 title when they beat Northern Diamonds as they head to Chelmsford to face Sunrisers in the first match of their campaign.
Elsewhere on the opening weekend, Lightning face Northern Diamonds, Western Storm play Central Sparks and Southern Vipers face Thunder.
There are some big names across the tournament to look out for too, including The Hundred break out star Abtaha Maqsood, England's Lauren Bell and Thunder's newly announced captain Ellie Threlkeld.
England Women Player Availability- Round 1
| Tammy Beaumont - Lightning |
| Kate Cross - Thunder |
| Freya Davies - South East Stars |
| Georgia Elwiss - Southern Vipers |
| Sarah Glenn - Central Sparks |
| Katie George - Western Storm |
| Amy Jones - Central Sparks |
| Mady Villiers - Sunrisers |
| Lauren Winfield-Hill - Northern Diamonds |
Anya Shrubsole joins Southern Vipers as player-coach
Former England bowler Anya Shrubsole has signed for Southern Vipers as a player-coach.
The 30-year-old, who announced her retirement from international cricket last month, joins Vipers from Western Storm.
Shrubsole will be available to play for Vipers in the Charlotte Edwards Cup and Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, the latter of which her new club won in both 2020 and 2021.
The seamer told Vipers' website: "I am really looking forward to playing and to have the opportunity to work with and learn from [head coach] Charlotte Edwards.
"Fast bowling is something I am passionate about so I am incredibly grateful to be given the responsibility to work with some young, exciting seamers as I transition into a life after international cricket. I have a lot to learn which excites me immensely and I can't wait to get started."
