Meet the people behind the Charlotte Edwards Cup Commentary

Meet the team!

Catherine Dalton

Age: 29

From: Chingford, London

Social Media: Twitter: @cathdalton57 & Instagram: @cath_dalton57

Cricket representation: Gunnersbury Cricket Club, Essex CCC current, Former Middlesex CCC, Former England Academy & Ireland International including ODIs, T20s and ICC 2016 WC India

About you: Cricketer and coach. Currently coaching on the National Fast Bowling Academy, running my own coaching business and at Hutton Women & Girls CC. I’ve had the privilege of working with a range of players across the world including male test players and internationals such as Deepak Chahar. Additionally coached in India (Ultimate Pace Foundation and Rajasthan Cricket Association U23 camp) and Pakistan (Multan Sultans development camp). I work mainly in developing young talented players and I thoroughly enjoy my job.

Why comms? Cricket is my passion and after being invited to commentate on a Sunrisers game, I got hooked!

Who will win the Charlotte Edwards Cup? Southern Vipers

Sarah McCann

Age: 50

From: Stockport

Cricket representation: Cheshire County Cricket and MCC, I play for Stockport Trinity in Div 1 of the Cheshire Women’s Cricket League.

About you: At age 23, I saw a poster for women’s cricket in the local leisure centre, I walked past it and thought – I don’t like cricket! During my swim, I kept thinking about the poster, so I went back afterwards to look at it again, I thought I still don’t like cricket!, but I took the number and thought I might ring it. I did and went to a training session, at the end I ended up joining even though I wasn’t sure about it. I went on to become a qualified coach, represent Cheshire, and then became Chair of the Cheshire Women’s Cricket League in 2010 after helping restructure our league of 8 clubs, which I am now proud to say now has 37 hardball teams, and 16 softball teams playing across 5 divisions some 13 years later.

So the “I don’t like cricket” became “I love it”!

Why Comms? I had commented on a club game the season before and my brother was really impressed and thought I should go into commentary. It had never entered my head previously but then neither had being a stockbroker for 15 years, which again was something I got into by chance. Last year I received a message asking if I or anyone else would be interested, so here I am, I always take my opportunities in life.

Who will win the Charlotte Edwards Cup? Thunder, but I’m biased

Allyson Byrne

Age: 57

From: Liverpool -Live in Birkenhead

Cricket representation: Represented West Midlands

Lancashire and Cheshire( 2years as skipper), Cheshire-county stuff late eighties-mid nineties not good at dates! Clubs-Neston/Oxton Cheshire League-opening bat 3/4th bowler right arm medium with occasional off breaks-field slip for county and midwicket/cover club

About you: Retired at 34-came back 6 years ago thanks to my appearance at cricket week mostly in fancy dress. Just stopped playing club cricket again-poorly back—play a bit of tennis, do a bit of Zumba, like a bit of drumming in a girl group. Like a bit of salsa-single mum-daughter nearly off my hands! Taught Pe for 30+ years now doing primary supply. Seem to remember meeting Claire Jenkins for the first time at cricket week in days gone by!

Why comms: Me doing comms came completely out of the blue. A former teammate of mine from Lancs was asked and didn't fancy it and put my name forward ...so glad....loving it!

Who will win the Charlotte Edwards Cup? My heart will always say Thunder but I have a sneaky feeling Central Sparks are in the running so why not. They have some explosive players who can score runs and bowl well. Also helps to have the no 1 keeper doesn't it?

Faith Florence Agaba

Age: 42

Born: Nairobi-born Ugandan at home in

Liverpool

Twitter :@thefaithflo

About you: I’ve been fortunate to live all around East Africa and Europe and wear many hats in life – secondary teacher, youth worker, community project coordinator, interfaith minister, ESOL specialist – I’m a great believer in the power of learning and am dedicated to helping people find their path and purpose in life while expressing themselves with confidence.

My earliest cricket memories are off the telly, sitting with my mum watching Viv Richards bat, whom she was quite taken with. Watching sport is still the best entertainment especially with the quality, variety and professionalism in women’s sports now.

I try to never miss a game involving Lancs Women so jumped at the chance to experience some of Thunder’s campaign from the comms box. I find cricket more than any other sport compels you to chat about it before during and after a game.

Who will win the Charlotte Edwards Cup? I’m backing Thunder to come through with the trophy!

Ed Seabourne

Age: 28

Born: Wiltshire

Twitter : @edcricket6

Cricket representation: Barely wielded a bat in anger (or timorous defence!) since age 16.

Why Comms? An easy question to answer. Simply because it has been my dream since I was a boy! I suspect like many, listening to Test Match Special on long car journeys (and short ones to/from school for that matter) helped make me an addict from a young age. Cricket has always been my number one passion, and thankfully when I took my first steps into commentary people weren't telling me how grotesque or irritating my voice was, at least not to my face. So I kept doing it.

Who will win the Charlotte Edwards Cup? Covering the regions has taught me not to bet against Southern Vipers. I've never been someone to learn from past mistakes, however, so I'm going to say Central Sparks!

Dr Jane Powell

Age: 65

Born: Sheffield now live in Brackley

Twitter: hocJPcricket

Insta: jpanysport

Cricket representation: Yorkshire, Sussex, England -England Captain, 1988 World Cup England Coach

About you: Teacher, head of coaching England hockey, performance director England lacrosse - Coach Development ECB and just appointed as first Performance Manager for England disability teams and off to Australia June 2nd for matches v Australia with Learning Disability and Deaf teams. I am a Christian.

Why comms? Love being on comms because you get the best view in the ground and think I understand what the batter and bowler are trying to do - hopefully, add some good insight.

Who will win the Charlotte Edwards Cup? I think Vipers will win as Sparks will miss Amy Jones

Claire Jenkins

Age: 59

Born: Birmingham

Twitter : @121intervcoach

Cricket representation: Former Somerset & Derbyshire county player and coach. Also played for the national Civil Service side.

Why Comms? Doing the RHF & CEC livestream commentary has ignited a new passion in me. I love cricket. I love talking. The fact that anyone would let me put the two together in the “best seat in the house” still amazes me. I just think it’s the best job in the world and count myself so lucky to have been “invited to the party”

Who will win the Charlotte Edwards Cup? Although I’ve been fortunate to have worked so far on the mic for Thunder, Lightning and Western Storm, it’s Sparks that believed in me first …and it’s my home region so I’d have to tip them for some silverware.

Melissa Story

Age: 21

From: Wiltshire

Social media: @melissagstory (Twitter); @melissastory (Instagram); @_melisssaaa_32 (Tiktok)

Cricket Representation: Hampshire women; Hursley Park Ladies; Corsham CC (men’s)

Why comms? As soon as I was given the chance to commentate my first Vipers game I haven’t looked back since. Commentating has truly turned my life around and I love being able to convey the drama on the pitch and scenes around me in the crowd to listeners. It’s truly a privilege to get to watch such high-class cricket and see my friends performing well and chasing their dreams in the CE Cup.

Who will win the Charlotte Edwards Cup? No doubt the Southern Vipers. Their squad is jampacked with talented players and people knocking on England’s door. I think even their 2XI would stand a good chance. They missed out on the T20 title last year so they’ll be looking to go one step further this time!

Hannah Thompson-Radford

Age: 27

From: Somerset (but living in Loughborough)

Social media: @HannahT1194 (Twitter) @hannahjanethompson_ (Instagram)

Cricket Representation: previously Somerset Pathways, Somerset Women, MCC, Middlezoy (village). Currently but only occasionally Rothley Park Cricket Club & Kibworth Cricket Club, Leics.

Currently, a PhD student exploring elite female cricketers' experiences of media visibility (near completion), former media officer for Lightning in the KSL & cricket media freelancer!

Why comms? When I was first asked to do comms it came as a bit of a shock, I stumble over words, I stutter, I questioned it. But I am so proud and happy I took that leap out of my comfort zone to now pursue a new opportunity to add my voice to the growing pool of women's voices in the game. Comms is a real opportunity to share experiences, to bring player stories to life and ensure that people who know about the history of the women's game are at the centre of its coverage.

Who will win the Charlotte Edwards Cup? Everyone will say this, but Vipers. The addition of Anya Shrubsole only strengthens what is already an indomitable side.

Sarah Ginn

Age: 41

From: Balsall Common near solihull

Social media: @sarahginn1980

Cricket Representation: I’ve represented Wales and currently captain Berkswell women in the West Midlands premier league, MCC.

I coach Warwickshire u18 girls and the women’s side. I run my own business, a nursery school which has been in my family for over 40 years. I have two cricket-mad sons, Sebastian and Barnaby and am involved in club coaching from all stars up to the women's 1st team

Why comms? I was asked to do commentary during the first games of RHF Trophy where no spectators were allowed due to Covid so thought it would be a good opportunity to watch the games! Have taken on more opportunities since then and I’m enjoying the challenge of the ball by ball element and finding different ways of saying the same thing!

Who will win the Charlotte Edwards Cup? Sparks to win the trophy- backing my home side to do it

Jem Green

Age: 40

From: Southampton

Cricket Representation: Hampshire , Hursley Park Ladies CC

I first commentated in the inaugural Rachel Heyhoe flint trophy final in 2020. I haven't had a chance to see much of group B so far this season, so I can't really give an opinion that is completely based on all 8 teams....but....and this is not a biased view (obviously I want the Vipers to win it), but even with my total rational, open mind.....they do look a strong squad and where I would put my money on.

Georgie Heath

Age: 27

From: Emberton (Bucks) but London based now no matter how much I want to live in the sun!

Social media handles: @georgieheath27

Cricket representation: Harold village under 11s! Robin Hood pub team, Burton Latimer club, Northants U15 (v briefly), Barmy Army singular female player v Bharat Army!

About you: multi-sport lover and player. Have actually played international lacrosse as well as junior England schools football (lol) but just always loved sports of all forms. My mum is a proper Yorkshire woman (nickname Yorkie) so there was no doubt cricket would always be in my life. I LOVE Karaoke, having a good boogie and anything that involves the sun/beach - GET ME TO THE SUNSHINE. I'm hugely open about all things mental health and I’m also a HUGE lover of dogs. I also make a MEAN brownie.

Fun cricket fact: In 2005 we queued for Old Trafford at the Ashes and were part of the 20,000 turned away for capacity and it’s actually one of my favourite bits of history to have been part of.

Why comms: Chatting to other enthusiasts, bringing in more people to the game and rambling with a great view? What’s not to love! Also any excuse for a pun / Dad joke and I’m in.

Who will win the Charlotte Edwards Cup? THE MIGHTY VIPERS 🧡