The Northern Diamonds are in confident mood heading into the forthcoming Charlotte Edwards Cup, which starts this weekend, says batter Leah Dobson. 

Diamonds have begun the summer positively in 50-over cricket, winning four of their first six matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy competition.

Now, attention turns to 20-over cricket, a format they are desperate to succeed in.

Success this summer would complete the regional set having won the RHF Trophy title in 2022. 

Diamonds open their campaign with a blockbuster ‘Roses’ clash against Lancashire Thunder at Emirates Old Trafford on Sunday (1pm). 

Last June, the Diamonds lost to Thunder at Blackpool’s Stanley Park in a final day group game which eliminated them from Finals Day contention. So a win in Manchester on Sunday afternoon would no doubt exorcise a demon or two. 

Leah Dobson

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Leah Dobson models the Diamonds new T20 shirt for 2024.

“We started off the competition really well last year and then let it slip towards the end,” said Dobson. 

“But we’ve all learnt, we’ve all had a good winter. It’s just about bringing that into games, being better and bringing a trophy back home for the Diamonds.

“We have strengths in both formats, but perhaps more so in T20.

“We want to finish the Diamonds’ era on a high and bring both trophies back. We’ll be working hard to do that.”

Asked why she believes the Diamonds’ strength lies in T20 cricket, Dobson reasoned: “I think we’ve got loads of players who can do different things, they’ve all got different skillsets. 

“In that sense, we’re very adaptable. 

Leah Dobson

Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Leah Dobson has her eyes on the T20 prize.

“Batters can perform in different situations and bowlers at different times in the innings.”

Dobson fits perfectly into that category. In 50-over cricket, the 22-year-old bats in the middle order, whereas last season she opened the batting in T20 cricket. 

She heads into the CE Cup on the back of a recent half-century in 50-over cricket, against Blaze at Scarborough earlier this month.  

Thunder have won two of their opening six Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy fixtures this summer. 

In last year’s Charlotte Edwards, they were beaten semi-finalists by eventual champions Southern Vipers.

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