2019 Women’s Kia Super League – Loughborough Lightning vs Western Storm Preview & Prediction

THE FACTS

When is Loughborough Lightning vs Western Storm taking place? Tuesday 6^th August 2019 – 16:00 (UK)

Where is Loughborough Lightning vs Western Storm taking place? Haslegrave Ground, Loughborough

What is the expected weather for Loughborough Lightning vs Western Storm? 21c with cloud and a 40% chance of rain

What channel is Loughborough Lightning vs Western Storm 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 Loughborough Lightning vs Western Storm? If televised on Sky Sports, then subscribers will be able to stream the match live via Sky Go

Where can I get tickets for Loughborough Lightning vs Western Storm? https://www.ecb.co.uk/tickets/ksl

What was the outcome in the last meeting between Loughborough Lightning and Western Storm? Loughborough Lightning beat Western Storm by 9 wickets

THE TEAM NEWS

LOUGHBOROUGH LIGHTNING

• Loughborough Lightning have been one of the more successful teams in the KIA Super League since it was launched, but just like last year when they lost in the final after finishing top of the group phase, they have yet to win the trophy.
• The Lightning’s batting looks formidable once again this season as they can count on West Indies’ star all-rounder Hayley Matthews and she is joined by South African star Mignon du Preez and Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Atapattu.
• England spinner Kirstie Gordon was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament last year and they will look to her once again for inspiration along with her international colleague Georgia Elwiss who captains the side.

WESTERN STORM

• Western Storm are the only team to have reached the Finals Day on all three occasions so far and after being knocked out at the semi-final stage last season, they will be desperate to get back into the final this year and challenge for the trophy.
• They will once again be led by England skipper Heather Knight and she will be vital to their hopes along with international team-mate Anya Shrubsole, although both will have to bounce back quickly from the Ashes mauling they recently suffered.
• In addition to their England stars, they can also count on India’s Smriti Mandana who was the leading runscorer in last year’s tournament and hugely promising Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma.

THE PREDICTION

Both of these teams will harbour hopes of challenging for the title this season and it will be intriguing to see who emerges victorious in this opening clash. Loughborough were the standout team last year until they slipped up in the final but the Storm can never be written off. The Storm’s batting can blow away any team in the competition but the Lightning are one team that can match them and this literally is a game that could go either way.