Kia Super League Preview: Loughborough Lightning

Loughborough Lightning have been the surprise package in this year's Kia Super League. They lost their world class allrounder in Ellyse Perry before the start of the season. There is an emphasis on the friendships within the team and they have taken that to new levels of competitiveness. They have a willingness to fight for their friends and for Loughborough.



A strong home record saw them win all four games at their home ground at Loughborough University. They also won their game at Edgbaston. The only games they lost were either shortened games because of the weather or once they had qualified. They lost shortened games to today's opponents but over the full 20 over games, they beat both Surrey Stars and Western Storm.



Led by allrounder Georgia Elwiss they have an abundance of bowling options. Her main problem has at times been having too many bowlers to call upon. Her seam options have served her well in the experience of Jenny Gunn, herself and Sophie Devine.



Devine is the joint leading wicket-taker alongside her teammate Kirstie Gordon. The young Scottish spinner is one of four spinners in the side alongside fellow left-armer Linsey Smith, off-spinner Lucy Higham and leg-spinner Sarah Glenn.



The batting has also been solid and one of their strengths is that it has mattered little if they have been asked to set a total or chase one down. Devine is again instrumental in that approach and has settled into a solid opening partnership with Racheal Haynes. It may surprise some that in the powerplay overs Haynes has the better strike-rate of the two at 140.74.



At number three, Loughborough Lightning have Amy Jones who this year regained her place in the England side. She was in fine form during the international season and has carried that into the Kia Super League season. A superb wicket-keeper she has been often in the shadows of Sarah Taylor but is definitely the best of the rest in England.



Elyse Villani the Australian batter has added strength to the closing overs. While before she was seen an opening batter, she has matured into the closing role well and it helped win the home game against Southern Vipers with a final over blast.



Loughborough Lightning this year are a well-drilled side who know their roles within the side and they are adaptable when that plan isn’t working. What they may fear though is a shortened final because of the weather. Which as things stand is not the worst things to worry about on finals day.