Loughborough Lightning Cricket have today announced their squad for the second edition of the Kia Super League, which kicks off on Thursday 10 August.
Having qualified for Finals Day last year and eventually finishing third, Lightning will hope to make Finals Day again in 2017, which take place at Hove on Friday 1 September, but will be aiming to lift the trophy for the first time.
Headline names who return from 2016 include captain Georgia Elwiss and her England teammates Amy Jones and Beth Langston, along with Aussie all-rounder Ellyse Perry, who was in fine form at the recent Women’s World Cup.
Joining Perry in the Lightning squad for 2017 are her compatriots Elyse Villani and Kristen Beams, the former making 75 off 58 balls in the semi-finals at the World Cup last week. Additionally there are a number of current Loughborough University students and alumnae named in the 15, including Paige Scholfield, Becky Grundy, Abbey Freeborn.
Of her finalised squad Head Coach Sall Briggs commented: “After reviewing last season we felt we needed to add more experience to our batting power play and this resulted in some changes to our overseas selections. Elyse Villani will add strength to our top order and has proven at the highest level she is adaptable and explosive.
“Ellyse individually had a successful Women’s Big Bash season and played some fast paced innings in the recent World Cup. We’re also very excited that Kristen accepted our offer; Kristen is an exciting leg spinner who has the ability to take wickets and build pressure by changing it up and bowling consistent areas. For us, it is really important that our overseas players provide some consistency and I have no doubt that both Kristen and Elyse will be able to strengthen us in this area.
“I’m also pleased we have gained two young and exciting spinners in both Lucy Higham and Sarah Glenn, who both add different dimensions with the bat. Marie Kelly has joined off the back of some impressive knocks for both Loughborough MCCU and Warwickshire, whilst Abbey Freeborn is a current Loughborough student with huge potential as a T20 wicket keeper/batter. I have no doubt these additions will contribute highly alongside the current Lightning players who were excellent for us last season.”
Tickets to see Lightning in action on Tuesday 15th or Friday 18th August can be found here.
Loughborough Lightning KSL Squad:
Georgia Elwiss (C)
Amy Jones
Beth Langston
Ellyse Perry
Kristen Beams
Elyse Villani
Paige Scholfield
Thea Brookes
Georgia Boyce
Becky Grundy
Sonia Odedra
Marie Kelly
Sarah Glenn
Lucy Higham
Abbey Freeborn
Report courtesy of Loughborough University
