2019 Women’s Kia Super League – Lancashire Thunder vs Southern Vipers Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Lancashire Thunder vs Southern Vipers taking place? Tuesday 6th August 2019 – 14:30 (UK)
Where is Lancashire Thunder vs Southern Vipers taking place? Aigburth, Liverpool
What is the expected weather for Lancashire Thunder vs Southern Vipers? 19c with a minor chance of rain
What channel is Lancashire Thunder vs Southern Vipers on? Sky Sports have the rights to televise some Kia Super League matches, so it is worth checking their broadcast schedule
Where can I stream Lancashire Thunder vs Southern Vipers? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go
Where can I get tickets for Lancashire Thunder vs Southern Vipers? https://www.ecb.co.uk/tickets/ksl
What was the outcome in the last meeting between Lancashire Thunder and Southern Vipers? Lancashire Thunder beat Southern Vipers by 9 runs
THE TEAM NEWS
LANCASHIRE THUNDER
- Lancashire Thunder narrowly missed out on Finals Day last year and they will be desperate to go one better after a fourth-placed finish in 2018 but their five victories last year will give them big confidence of further improvement this season.
- They had to make a late coaching change after former Aussie captain Alex Blackwell accepted a job back in her homeland at Royal Sydney Children’s Hospital, so assistant Mark McInnes steps up into the role and that should be a relatively seamless change.
- India captain Harmanpreet Kaur returns to the club at their undoubted star while the club signed Sophia Dunkley from Surrey Stars and she will bolster the batting while they will hope England bowler Sophie Ecclestone can continue her impressive rise.
SOUTHERN VIPERS
- After winning the KSL in 2016 and then coming runners-up in 2017, Southern Vipers endured a torrid 2018 campaign as they finished bottom of the pile and only managed two wins from their ten matches played.
- Tammy Beaumont was their best batter last year and there will be pressure on the Vipers’ captain to produce the goods once again although they will have high hopes for overseas stars Suzie Bates, Stafanie Taylor and Sophie Molineux.
- In Bates, the Vipers have the number one ranked T20 international batter in the world, and she will hope to improve on a below par tournament last year, while the inclusion of the destructive Taylor means they have one of the most powerful batting line-ups in the tournament this season.
THE PREDICTION
A fascinating opening match between Thunder and Vipers in Liverpool as both teams are hoping to improve significantly on last season’s performances and push for a Finals place. So much will depend on which overseas stars settle and can find form quickly but the Vipers batting line-up looks especially formidable. The Vipers were guilty of under-performing last season but they will be motivated to bounce back and make a fast start, and they can edge this opening match.
