Western Storm will be looking to make up for final day heartbreak in 2017 as the countdown to the new Kia Super League season begins.
The Storm came within a whisker of winning the title last year only to be pipped in the final by Southern Vipers.
There is an instant chance for revenge though as the two sides meet again in the opening fixture of the 2017 competition and there is the added incentive of knowing that the match will be live on Sky Sports and BBC Radio.
The re-match of last summer’s inaugural Kia Super League final will precede Hampshire’s NatWest T20 Blast encounter against Glamorgan, and is one of six domestic “double-headers” between the two tournaments, which will all be televised live on Sky Sports, with ball-by-ball commentary also available on BBC Radio.
Western Storm’s 2017 Kia Super League fixtures are as follows:
- Thursday August 10th – Southern Vipers v Western Storm – Ageas Bowl (Double-header with Hampshire v Glamorgan)
- Saturday August 12th – Western Storm v Loughborough Lightning – Cooper Associates County Ground (Double-header with Somerset v Kent Spitfires)
- Sunday August 20th – Yorkshire Diamonds v Western Storm – York CC
- Wednesday August 23rd – Surrey Stars v Western Storm – Guildford CC
- Saturday August 26th – Western Storm v Lancashire Thunder– Brightside Ground, Bristol
Following the announcement of the 2017 fixtures Western Storm General Manager Lisa Pagett said: “Last year’s competition was a fantastic experience and we were all devastated to have missed out at the final hurdle. Although we didn’t quite make it over the line I think everyone involved at every level of the team can feel very proud of what we achieved.
“Everyone involved in the game was really impressed with how well the Kia Super League was received and 2017 promises to be even bigger and better. We were really pleased with the crowds that came to watch and this year’s double-headers will take that to the next level. Playing in front of sold out crowds can only be of benefit to the players.
“A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes over the winter to ensure that we build on all the good work that was done in the summer. Now that the fixtures have been announced we can really start putting plans in place and player announcements will be made in due course. It’s an extremely exciting time for the Women’s game and we are really pleased that we are going to be a part of that.”
This year is going to be a big one for Women’s cricket. With the ICC Women’s World Cup being staged in England and the Kia Super League going from strength to strength the popularity of the game is set to be at an all time high.
After the huge success of the first Kia Super League last summer, which saw over 15,000 fans enjoy watching the 15 group stage matches, the second season will follow the same format, with the six teams taking part in a round-robin competition over a 17 day period and across 13 different venues from Thursday 10th August to Saturday 26th August 2017.
The competition will once again climax in a showcase finals day involving the top three teams on Friday 1st September at the 1st Central County Ground in Hove.
In addition to the six double-header group stage matches, Sky Sports will provide live television coverage of finals day, with BBC Radio covering every round of matches, alongside finals day.
ECB Director of England Women’s Cricket, Clare Connor said: “At the end of last summer I said that I was immensely proud of what the Kia Super League had achieved during its first season, but equally I stressed that there was still considerable growth potential for the competition.
“Moving into year two I am therefore delighted to announce the next historic moment in the development of the domestic women’s game in this country, with six Kia Super League group stage matches plus finals day due to be televised live on Sky Sports, alongside enhanced levels of broadcast coverage throughout the competition on BBC Radio.
“In total, we will be taking the Kia Super League to 14 different venues during the season, which presents a fantastic platform to spread the game to new audiences across the country. Alongside the ICC Women’s World Cup in June and July, we have a brilliant opportunity to showcase the sport this summer, grow our participation base and inspire more fans than ever before to watch and get involved with women’s cricket.”
Report courtesy of Somerset CC
