Charlotte Edwards’ Southern Vipers win the first ever Super League with a seven-wicket win over Western Storm.
Western Storm 140-5 (20 overs): Priest 57, Taylor 35; Brindle 2-15
Southern Vipers 143-3 (18.5 overs): Bates 52, Edwards 24; Dibble 1-27
Southern Vipers won by seven wickets
The first ever Kia Super League came to a very successful end on Sunday at the Essex County Ground.
After finishing top of the pool games the Southern Vipers won a place in the final, versus Western Storm who beat Loughborough Lightning in the semi-final [played earlier in the day].
Storm were first to bat and things looked ominous for Vipers as Stafanie Taylor and Rachel Priest settled at the crease scoring steadily. It took almost 11 overs before Vipers made the breakthrough, with veteran Arran Brindle (who had come out of retirement to take part in the competition) tempting Taylor (on 35) to loft a shot into the safe hands of Charlotte Edwards.
Storm and England Captain, Heather Knight was the next batsman but she could only score 6 before being caught brilliantly on the boundary by Katie George. (Have to say with the gentle barracking George was getting from the enthusiastic crowd, my heart was in my mouth as the high ball came towards her, but I shouldn’t have worried – very safe hands.)
Priest (on 57) was the next to fall to another catch – this time Lydia Greenway – off the bowling of the outstanding Suzie Bates.
Vipers had succeeded in slowing the run rate and Storm eventually posted a total of 140.
Opening batters for Vipers were former England captain (and Vipers Captain) Charlotte Edwards with Suzie Bates and despite a 6 from Edwards in the opening overs it was Bates who put on the runs as they notched up a 76 run first wicket stand.
The partnership was ended when Edwards was bowled for 24 by Dibble, before Bates was disastrously run out by Wilson on 52, at which point the pendulum swung massively in favour of Storm. The scoring rate slowed for a few overs and the run rate required began to rise.
However, Vipers weren’t done and Greenway and McGlashan eased their way to a 7 wicket victory with 7 balls to spare.
Player of the Match was Suzie Bates and Player of the Tournament Stafanie Taylor.
At the presentation Southern Vipers captain Charlotte Edwards said: “It’s been a really special few months.
“It’s been brilliant to be part of this group for the last three or four months, and watch them grow and develop as people and players.
“We’ll all enjoy celebrating what was a brilliant win. You couldn’t have made up my summer so far really, with getting knocked on the head and missing the Lancashire game.
“But everyone’s shown a lot of faith in me and I’ve kept backing myself and I actually really enjoyed today. This is what I miss playing in, these sort of occasions.”
Next season will see the tournament extended to include a 50 overs competition which will be held before the World Cup and then followed by the second T20 series.
