Kia Super League: Bigger and Better

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Jamie Ramage
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Kia Super League: Bigger and Better

6 teams will fight it out for the Kia Super League trophy. ©Tom Shaw/ECB

The third Kia Super League kicks off in less than 24 hours this weekend. All the six teams will all be in action on Sunday.



Western Storm, the current champions, kick off their campaign with a home game against Yorkshire Diamonds at Taunton, runners-up Southern Vipers are away to Surrey Stars at Guildford and Lancashire Thunder host Loughborough Lightning at Southport.



This year there is an expanded fixture schedule with each team playing the other at home and away. In this preview, we look at the competition as a whole and show you what to expect on the road to the finals day at Hove.



 



The Format



Each team will play the other both at home and away. The top three sides from the group stage will reach the finals day at 1st Central County Ground, Hove.



The team that finishes top will automatically qualify for the final with the second and third placed teams will play-off for the final spot in a semi-final.



 



The Teams



Western Storm are the holders of the Kia Super League representing the West Country and Wales and fixtures will be split between Taunton and Bristol.



Southern Vipers last years finalists represent the south coast. The majority of their players coming from the county champions Hampshire, but also have players from Sussex and Kent in their side. The will play their home games at the Ageas Bowl, Hove and Arundel.



Surrey Stars are the London side, their players mainly play for Surrey or Middlesex. They will play games at the Kia Oval and Guildford.



Loughborough Lightning are the side from the Midlands. Based in Leicestershire they will play the majority of their games at their University of Loughborough base. One of their games will be played at Edgbaston the venue for the first Women’s World Cup in 1973.



There are two sides from the north of England, the first of the two sides are Lancashire Thunder. They will play home games at Emirates Old Trafford, the seaside towns of Blackpool and Southport and also Liverpool.



Yorkshire Diamonds are the final team and their rivalry with Lancashire is well known. They will play games at Emerald Headingly, York and Scarborough.



 



The Internationals



Some of the world’s best players will be on show this year and is the last T20 competition many will take part in before the World T20.



Each side is allocated three England internationals and three overseas internationals. Most of the England internationals have a geographical link to their side, although with only six sides this may not always be the case.



With the likes of Suzie Bates, Smriti Mandhana, Dane van Niekerk among the overseas players the quality of tournament is amongst the best domestic competitions in the world.



 



Predictions



The squads appear to be more even than ever this year. That could soon go out of the window if a team gets off to a bad start. Lancashire Thunder didn’t win a game last year, although performances got steadily better. A longer tournament could help teams build momentum. Expect Lancashire Thunder to be a lot more competitive. Head coach Alex Blackwell will ensure they will be a tough team to beat.



Western Storm under the leadership of Heather Knight will again be a difficult team to beat. Southern Vipers will again be the team to beat. With the likes of Bates, Danni Wyatt and Tammy Beaumont at the top of the order runs should be the order of the day.



Surrey Stars made the finals day last year and they look a good bet to make the final this year, with Nat Sciver and Sarah Taylor pulling the strings anything is possible.



Loughborough Lightning have recruited well over the winter. They have more of a balance about them even if they have lost their star player Ellyse Perry. Katherine Brunt has to inspire Yorkshire Diamonds to their maiden finals day.
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