Rachael’s Trophy set for a return in revamp
The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy will return in an expanded format on May 29, as part of the England and Wales Cricket Board's revamped women's structure.
A month-long 50- over competitionnamed after England' s captain at the 1973 World Cup was won last year by Southern Vipers, in a campaign shortened and restricted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Now it is back, under the same title, in an expanded format together with the regional T20 tournament, with a total of 56 fixtures between the two.
Combined with the inaugural season of The Hundred, 2021 is set to be the busiest year yet for women's cricket.
The Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy concludes on September 25 with the top-placed team in an all-play-all group stage competing against the winner of a play-off between the second and third ranked sides.
The T20 competition begins on June 26, with two groups of four playing towards finals day on September 5. The cup kicks off with four fixtures on the same day, three of which will be double-headers with men's Vitality Blast matches.
ECB managing director of women's cricket Clare Connor said: "This promises to be a truly memorable summer of cricket for the women's game.
"I am particularly proud that we will continue to move forward with Rachael Heyhoe Flint's name, with everything she represented for women's cricket, firmly entrenched in our journey.
"The launch of women's regional cricket last summer despite the challenges caused by the pandemic - was another significant step forward for our domestic game.”