Western Storm silence Thunder

A magnificent bowling and fielding display by the Western Storm allowed them to cruise to a bonus point win over the Lancashire Thunder in their first KSL league game.

The Thunder won the toss and elected to bat on what looked like a good Taunton wicket, in front of about 1,100 spectators, basking in glorious sunshine. The Storm did not let their new followers down as they applied pressure with tight bowling which was backed up by some magnificent catching. The first Thunder player to suffer was Hayley Matthews (7), who had been bogged down by Freya Davies (1/12) and Anya Shrubsole (0/14). Last ball of Davies' second over she attempted a flamboyant extra cover drive, but the ball skewed high off the face to deep cover where Lizelle Lee made great ground to take to the catch.

The Thunder finished the powerplay on 26/1 and got to 10 overs with 48/2 on the board, having lost Amy Satterthwaite (13) bowled by Jodie Dibble. But it was the wicket of Emma Lamb (25) when the score was on 63 to another stunning catch by Lee on the cover boundary off the bowling of Stafanie Taylor, that started a calamitous collapse. It was the first of four wickets for Taylor (4/14), who along with Heather Knight (3/11) bowled overs 12 through to 17 taking seven wickets for 10 runs. This included two further outstanding catches from Cait O'Keefe, at long on, and Knight off her own bowling, to remove Deandra Dottin and Dani Wyatt respectively. The last pair did manage to add 10 more runs, before Georgia Hennessy had Ellie Threlkeld caught behind by Rachel Priest.

Stafanie Taylor
(C) Don Miles

With just 83 to chase the Storm lost Priest (2) early to Kate Cross, but Knight (23) and Taylor (14) seemed to be making serene progress until Taylor was deceived by West Indian teammate Matthews and was stumped. But this brought Fran Wilson (16) to the crease, who along with her skipper took the Storm to within 19 of the runs they needed to win before she was bowled by Dottin (3/8). In the same over Lee came and went, and in the next Knight was bowled by Sophie Ecclestone. Three wickets had fallen for one run. Another collapse looked possible, but Hennessy (11*) restored some calm, despite losing Sophie Luff (6), as the Storm got over the line in the 16th over to ensure a three point start to the season.

Lancashire Thunder 83 all out
Emma Lamb 25, Stafanie Taylor 4/14, Heather Knight 3/11

Western Storm 86/6 (15.3 overs)
Heather Knight 23, Deandra Dottin 3/8

full scorecard here

MD
31/VII/16