Attendance at the 2017 Finals Day – the first time it has been hosted at Hove – was up by over 150% from last year.

In the build-up to last Friday, the Kia Super League had seen significant year-on-year increases in spectator numbers at group matches.

According to ECB figures, over 20,000 fans watched group games this year, compared with 16,000 in 2016. Average attendances were up by 33% to 1,379. 

Reflecting on the success of Finals Day, Sussex Cricket Chief Executive, Rob Andrew said: “We have a strong record of promoting girls’ and women’s cricket in Sussex and I am delighted that we had such a good attendance at the Finals day.

“The potential for growth in the women’s game is huge and we look forward to hosting more women’s events in the coming years.”

Report courtesy of Sussex Cricket

The average KSL attendance is up by a third on 2016. Over 20,000 fans have watched this year’s action – compared to 16,000 at this stage last year – with 1,379, on average, at each game.

• The average attendance for the 2017 Kia Super League is 1,379 – a 33% increase on 2016
• Over 20,000 fans have watched this year’s Kia Super League in grounds
• Tickets are still available for Finals Day at Hove, from just £5 for adults and £1 for children

Today on Finals Day reigning champions Southern Vipers meet the winners of Western Storm and Surrey Stars. It’s set to be an exciting finale to a remarkable summer of women’s cricket, with memories of Anya Shrubsole’s six-wicket haul in front of a sold-out Lord’s still fresh in the mind.

This year has also been the first year that the KSL has been broadcast live on television, with the first six games on Sky Sports as double-headers alongside men’s fixtures in the NatWest T20 Blast. Finals Day will also be live on Sky Sports, and covered by BBC TMS.

On the pitch the tournament has seen its first hundreds – with Suzie Bates and Rachel Priest both reaching three figures – and with two matches still to be played 2017 has seen 73 sixes to last year’s 46. 

Director of England Women’s Cricket Clare Connor said: “As we look ahead to KSL Finals Day tomorrow, it’s really pleasing to reflect on the 15 matches that have been played so far. The players have delivered some exciting and spirited performances, batsmen have hit more sixes than in 2016 and the fans have turned up in their thousands. It’s been especially great to see so many mums and their daughters at our games – hopefully they’ve been inspired by what they’ve seen.

“We hoped that we would be able to sustain some of the momentum and energy that surrounded England’s remarkable World Cup campaign and it’s fair to say that we have. Average crowds have grown by a third on last year’s group stage matches so well done to all the venues for their hard work and fingers crossed for a full 1st Central County Ground at Hove tomorrow.”

Finals Day Team Facts

Southern Vipers

• Southern Vipers have now topped the group table in 2016 and 2017; they lifted the trophy in 2016.
• Southern Vipers have only ever lost two Kia Super League matches (W9) with those losses coming against Western Storm in 2016 and Surrey Stars earlier on in this campaign.
• Suzie Bates has recorded scores of 47*, 52 and 57 in her three innings against Western Storm and scored an unbeaten 50 versus Surrey Stars earlier this season.
• Bates has bowled a total of 212 balls in the Kia Super League across these two campaigns; none of them have been struck for a six.
• Linsey Smith has the best economy rate of any bowler ever to have bowled 20+ overs in the Kia Super League (4.8, 34 overs).

Surrey Stars

• Surrey Stars are the only side of the three to reach 2017 Finals Day that didn’t get this far in 2016.
• The Stars have won four of their five matches in 2017 (L1); the sole defeat, however, coming in their most recent outing.
• Natalie Sciver (142 with the bat and 10 wickets) is one of only two players to record 100+ runs and take 5+ wickets this season (Suzie Bates).
• No bowler has taken more wickets in the Kia Super League since its inception than Alex Hartley (17 – level with Suzie Bates).
• Laura Marsh has bowled 73 dot balls in this campaign; 10 more than any other bowler.

 Western Storm

 Western Storm take on Surrey Stars in the 2017 semi-final; they progressed from the 2016 semi-final game against Loughborough Lightning.

• Western Storm have taken on Surrey Stars twice before; both sides claiming one win apiece.
• Rachel Priest posted 57 in last year’s final against Southern Vipers.
• Priest comes into the semi-final against Surrey Stars having reached 50 in two of her last three innings (52 and 106*).
• Claire Nicholas claimed figures of 3/20 versus Surrey Stars earlier this season for Western Storm.

Group Tables

Fixtures/Results 

Report courtesy of the ECB

The hosts were unbeaten heading into their final league game, knowing a win would see them head into Finals as favourites, whilst Lightning required a win to have any chance of qualifying for Finals Day.

Lightning Head Coach Salliann Briggs named an unchanged team, with Abbey Freeborn retaining her place as Amy Jones’ finger injury ruled her out once again. Captain Georgia Elwiss won the toss and elected to bat, with Sarah Glenn and Elyse Villani to open once again.

Glenn was unfortunately dismissed for no score in the first over, as she mis-timed a pull shot off Laura Marsh up in the air to mid-on. However, as Perry joined her Australian team-mate at the crease, the pair continued to add 86 for the second wicket. After a quiet start to the tournament, Villani demonstrated her class as she smashed her way to 71 off just 39 balls, including three sixes and ten fours. She was dropped on 21 by Sophia Dunkley, but batted with great positivity to reach her 50 in the eighth over with a huge six off England’s Alex Hartley.

Following her dismissal, Perry, who played a largely supportive role at the beginning of her innings, began to find her rhythm as she cruised to a second consecutive half-century. She reached her 50 with a glorious six over long-off in the 19th over, and alongside Thea Brookes began to place great pressure upon the bowling side as they struck Hartley for a maximum each in the latter stages of the innings. The pair rotated the strike excellently in the final overs, as Perry finished with a brilliant 68* to conclude the innings on 171-3, surpassing the 140 against Lancashire Thunder the side’s highest total in the competition so far.

England’s World Cup star Tammy Beaumont and South Africa’s Lizelle Lee opened the batting for the hosts as they began their monumental chase. Kristen Beams continued her fine form as she claimed Beaumont lbw in the third over of the game, and the wickets then continued to tumble with regularity due to an impressive performance in the field.

Perry backed up her batting performance brilliantly with figures of 2-14 as she dismissed both Lee and Kapp, with the hosts struggling to 25-3 after the Powerplay. Natalie Sciver continued to bat positively as the wickets continued to fall around her, but was eventually bowled by Glenn for 24 off 18 balls, leaving the score at 54-4 at the halfway stage, and the required run rate therefore increasing rapidly. Glenn (2-5), Langston (2-16) and Grundy (2-11) then wrapped up a comprehensive victory, as the pressure mounted and the Stars collapsed to 90 all out.

Despite the thrilling victory, results elsewhere dictated that Lightning were unable to qualify for the Finals Day, but captain Georgia Elwiss was able to take plenty of positives from the performance.

“We were absolutely brilliant with the bat and Villani set the tone so well to take the pressure off Pez at the other end. Whilst it’s obviously disappointing not to make Finals Day, I’m so pleased for the youngsters like Lucy Higham and Sarah Glenn, who have really taken their chances and proven their worth at this level.”

The Kia Super League Finals Day will take place on the 1st of September, and will be between Surrey Stars, Western Storm and Southern Vipers.

Report courtesy of Loughborough University

In fact both Thunder and Lightning were eager for victory, neither side having managed a victory in the tournament so far. Lightning were unfortunately without star wicket-keeper and opening batsman Amy Jones due to a fractured finger, allowing Sussex’s Abi Freeborn to make her first appearance in the side.

Captain Georgia Elwiss won the toss once more and elected to bat first, with Sarah Glenn to join Villani at the top of the order in place of the injured Jones. The start was not ideal as Villani was dismissed in the first over, as she skied a delivery from Kate Cross to Emma Lamb at cover, bringing Perry to the crease early.

Glenn was off the mark in style in Cross’ second over however, as she launched the ball straight over her head for the first maximum of the innings. The 17-year-old then continued to dominate as she worked her way to a blistering 22 off 21 balls, before she was out in the seventh over to England’s Danielle Hazell.

A few quick wickets fell in the middle overs, as Elwiss (5), Odedra (1) and Brookes (6) all fell cheaply, but Perry remained unmoved as she reached her 50 in the 15^th over. Debutant Abi Freeborn played her supporting role excellently in the closing overs as the pair rotated the strike frequently to place great pressure upon the opposition. Perry smashed glorious consecutive boundaries off Ecclestone in the final over to finish with a classy 78 not out off 57 balls, with Freeborn finishing with a well-made 16 not out. The innings ended with the score on 140, leaving Thunder with a difficult chase at seven runs an over.

The defence started perfectly as Perry’s excellent day continued, sending the stumps flying to bowl Emma Lamb for two in the second over. Both Beams and Perry bowled tightly in the opening overs, building good pressure for Perry to strike yet again in the fourth as England star Sarah Taylor was adjudged lbw for just four. Having lost two of their biggest names, Lightning continued to restrict the flow of runs as the score reached 28-2 after the first 6 overs, with young Lucy Higham and Georgia Elwiss bowling brilliantly in tandem.

Higham was eventually rewarded for her tight bowling as she struck in the tenth over as New Zealand’s Amy Satterthwaite was stumped by Freeborn for 21, leaving the opposition struggling at 48-3. As the wickets continued to tumble, Sarah Glenn’s day continued to get better, as she claimed the wickets of Eve Jones (17) and Australia’s Jess Jonassen (9), with Higham and Villani taking the catches. A fine fielding performance was cemented by Villani’s phenomenal diving catch at long-on off the bowling of Becky Grundy, as opposition captain Hazell was dismissed for 2.

With 78 required off the final 6 overs, the momentum was entirely in the favour of the bowlers as Beth Langston struck twice in her first over to dismiss Miles and Ecclestone, leaving Thunder eight wickets down in the 15^th over. Despite a late counter-attack from Ellie Threlkeld (18), the run-rate was simply too much to ask of the Thunder batsmen, as they finished 90 all out and Lightning won by 50 runs.

Ellyse Perry was unsurprisingly awarded the Player of the Match for her 78 not out and figures of 2-9. It was an impressive and dominant performance from Lightning to record their first victory of the competition in fine style.

Speaking after the game, Head Coach Salliann Briggs highlighted the performances of Perry, Glenn and Freeborn in the clinical victory.

“I was incredibly pleased how the girls constructed their performance after such a tough start to the competition. Pez batted brilliantly, and I was particularly pleased for Sarah Glenn, who built a key opening partnership, and Abbey Freeborn who supported Pez to take us to an above par score of 140.”

It was clear that Briggs believes the girls have more to give, and is excited for the challenge of another away game against Surrey Stars in the final group game on Saturday.

Report courtesy of Loughborough University

Loughborough Lightning suffered a narrow 17 run defeat at home to Yorkshire Diamonds on Friday in their third Kia Super League game of the season, as the rain quite literally rained on their parade.

On a day of intermittent showers at Loughborough University’s Haslegrave Ground the side in pink and purple knew that they very much needed a win, after losing out to Western Storm and Southern Vipers in their opening two games. With a heavy downpour and hailstones delaying proceedings significantly, the game became a reduced overs affair.

With captain Georgia Elwiss winning the toss and electing to bowl first in the revised 13 over game, Beams opened up at 5.28pm on the dot, Lightning restricting Diamonds to 20 off the first three overs. Sonia Odedra was next to bowl, and she took the first wicket of innings, Winfield playing a long aerial shot, caught on the boundary by Beth Langston.

With the first bowl of the 11th over and the score at 86-2, Beams ran out Katherine Brunt off her own bowling, however two balls later Atapattu made amends for her error, notching up her half-century. With the next bowl though Brunt’s replacement Alice Davidson-Richards was dismissed for one, and Lightning were starting to turn the screw.

However it wasn’t enough, despite Langston taking a lovely wicket in the penultimate over, as Atapattu continued her good strokes, eventually racking up 66* by the end of the innings, with Diamonds setting a score of 110-5 for Lightning to chase.

It was a less than perfect start to the batting for the side in pink and purple as Amy Jones was dismissed for just two with the final bowl of the first over, but it got worse as Perry went for five in the next. Lightning finally started to build some momentum, Elwiss picking off a nice four, but Villani was dismissed for six just moments later, leaving her side at 24-3.

Just seven runs later Thea Brookes went for a big hit but was caught by Diamonds captain Lauren Winfield, Lightning rocking at just 31-4. Next to the crease was Sonia Odedra, as finally the home side started to form a partnership, Odedra hitting a big six and Elwiss a nice four as the pair took 12 runs in the eighth over to close the gap.

After a very average ninth over Elwiss really started to find her form, planting a big six into the hedge surrounding the ground, backed up by two further fours to put her on 37 and her side 71-4.

With two overs to go and 33 needed, Elwiss was caught for 41 as she was forced to take risks in chase of that 110 Diamonds score. With 31 needed off the final over, Sarah Glenn caught a lucky edge for a four, but that was the luck that had eluded Lightning all tournament. She hit another four with the next bowl but in the end Lightning finished up 17 short at 93-5.

With that result Lightning’s hopes of reaching Finals Day are all but over, but with two games remaining they’ll be hoping to play some of the cricket they know they can.

Reflecting on her team’s performance captain Georgia Elwiss said: “The amount of time and effort these girls and all the staff here at Loughborough Lightning have put in, we owe it to them to finish the Super League well. We’re hurting, we know that we’ve not played well in these first three games, and hopefully we can turn it around for the last two.

“I don’t think we’ve had any luck but you can’t always rely on that; we knew the situation today with the weather and it was the same for both teams. We were quite happy chasing that score down and there’s not really any excuses for that.”

Report courtesy of Loughborough University 

Lead photo shows Georgia Elwiss batting.

With a strong team that included former England captain Charlotte Edwards, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates and Hayley Matthews of the West Indies, the game was always going to be a tough challenge.

Lightning were boosted however with the inclusion of Elyse Villani to the squad, joining her international team-mates Ellyse Perry and Kristen Beams. Despite Villani’s recovery, Lightning unfortunately lost Paige Scholfield for the rest of the KSL, having broken her thumb during the game against Western Storm. Kent’s Phoebe Franklin was called up as her for the remainder of the competition, whilst Sarah Glenn replaced Marie Kelly in the middle order for this fixture.

Captain Georgia Elwiss won the toss and elected to bowl, which proved to be a risky decision as Vipers eventually posted the highest KSL score to date – ending up on 180-2 after their 20 overs. This was largely thanks to a record-breaking 119* from Suzie Bates, as she recorded the highest individual KSL score and the competition’s maiden century. Bates reached her half-century at the end of the Power Play, and despite Lightning’s best efforts in the field, she proved to be unstoppable as she smashed 15 fours and four sixes in her breath-taking innings.

Kristen Beams was the pick of the bowlers for the home side, as her four overs only conceded 19 runs, with young Lucy Higham also taking excellent figures of 1-26 given the period in which she bowled and the incredible form of Bates. Higham struck in the tenth over to dismiss Hayley Matthews thanks to a great catch from Elyse Villani at long-on, and Thea Brookes’ direct-hit run out of Georgia Adams was the only other dismissal of the Vipers’ innings.

Amy Jones and Elyse Villani strode out to the middle to begin Lightning’s run chase. The innings did not start well, as Villani was unluckily run out at the non-striker’s end, as Tash Farrant managed to deflect a drive from Jones onto the stumps, leaving the score at 8-1 after the first over.

Lightning concluded the Power Play on 41-3, as Jones (11) was bowled by Matthews in the first over and Perry (4) was run out attempting a third run. Runs were difficult to come by after this start as Vipers mounted the pressure upon the Lightning batsmen, as they reached 64-4 at the halfway stage.

Captain Georgia Elwiss led well from the front making a fine 32 from 29 balls before she was bowled by Bates, who continued her fine day by finishing with figures of 3-15. Despite the flurry of wickets, Thea Brookes and Sarah Glenn, the latter aged just 18 and playing on her home ground, continued to entertain the crowd. Brookes smashed her way to 24 off just 11 balls including two sixes, whilst Glenn also cleared the rope twice on her way to 25 on her KSL debut.

Vipers’ monumental total proved to be too much, however, as the lower order were left with the impossible task of scoring 82 off the final five overs. As Becky Grundy (12) was stumped off the final ball, Lightning were dismissed for 134, falling 46 runs short. The day undoubtedly belonged to Suzie Bates, as she followed her fine century and three wickets with a spectacular juggling catch at long-on to dismiss Beth Langston, unsurprisingly earning her the Player of the Match award.

Of her sides performance Lightning Head Coach said: “Susie Bates batted really well but I was disappointed with how we bowled in the Power Play – we bowled too short and too wide to her, and anyone could hit those balls for four, never mind Susie. We need to put it in the right areas to build pressure and unfortunately we didn’t do that early on and they got a decent Power Play and kept momentum from there.

“The girls battled hard and I thought Kristen bowled very well for her overs; we had a couple of chances but they would have been great catches. Scoring 130 when your top order hasn’t contributed fully has to be a positive – we got some great depth in our batting but we just need to create those partnerships early on.”

Tickets for Friday evening’s game against Yorkshire Diamonds at Loughborough University, are still available by clicking here.

Report courtesy of Loughborough University

The game was played as a double-header with the men’s fixture between Somerset and Kent, as is the case with many of the KSL games this season, allowing live broadcast on Sky Sports. Following the incredible success of the Women’s World Cup and England’s victory, the games provide a great opportunity for the team to showcase their skills and hard work in front of larger crowds and the cameras.

Captain Georgia Elwiss lost the toss, and Storm’s Heather Knight chose to bowl, with the cloudy conditions seeming favourable for bowling. Amy Jones and Ellyse Perry opened the batting for Lightning, and made a calm start taking seven off Claire Nicholas’ first over. Jones raced to 21, smashing three fours from Holly Huddleston’s first over before she was dismissed by Freya Davies, caught at mid-on in the fourth over.

Having reached 38-1 after the Powerplay, Ellyse Perry launched Dibble over long-off for the first six of the innings but was run out for 25 in the next over by Western Storm’s overseas Stafanie Taylor.

Lightning remained in a solid position, with Elwiss and Scholfield at the crease, until Taylor came on to bowl. In her first over, she conceded just one run and claimed three wickets; Elwiss and Brookes both adjudged lbw and Odedra stumped by Priest, leaving Lightning struggling at 62-5.

An impressively tight spell of bowling which included 20 dot balls meant that Taylor finished with astonishing figures of 4-5 off her 4 overs, as she also claimed Scholfield caught behind for 15. Boundaries were then much more difficult to come by, as Lucy Higham and Marie Kelly were faced with the tough task of rebuilding the Lightning innings.

The score reached 95 when Kelly was clean bowled by Huddleston for a well-made 18. Lightning eventually finished on 108-9 as Beth Langston was caught at long-on off the last ball of the innings, leaving the bowlers with a tough task of defending.

Lightning’s bowling innings had the perfect start as Beams bowled Rachel Priest for a duck in the first over, bringing the England captain Heather Knight to the crease early. Knight and Hennessy rebuilt well, with the skipper cruising to 24 comfortably until she was brilliantly run out by debutant Lucy Higham from backward point.

Despite the opposition’s solid start, Lightning battled hard in the field and kept pressure on throughout, with Elwiss claiming the wicket of Hennessy for 23 at a crucial stage of the game. However Stafanie Taylor looked extremely comfortable at the crease throughout her innings as she charged to 34, proving her immense capabilities with both bat and ball during the game, eventually earning her the Player of the Match award.  She was eventually dismissed by Georgia Elwiss thanks to a phenomenal diving catch by Paige Scholfield at long-on, but at this stage Storm only required two to win off the final seven balls.

Sophie Luff of the England Academy finished strongly on 18* as she hit the winning runs off the first ball of Perry’s final over, resulting in a five wicket victory for the hosts.

Reflecting upon the game, Head Coach Salliann Briggs calls upon Stafanie Taylor’s first over as the crucial point of the game, stating:

“We asked too much of ourselves due to some poor decisions with the bat. Losing three wickets in one over cost us heavily and gave them momentum”.

However Sall and her players are confident that they can definitely recover from this initial defeat, and are boosted by the excellent performances given with the ball and in the field. Lightning will be aiming to bounce back strongly from defeat against the Southern Vipers at Derby on Tuesday 15th August.

Tickets for Tuesday’s game, a double header alongside Derbyshire Falcons Natwest T20 Blast clash against Durham Jets, are still available by clicking here.

Report courtesy Loughborough University

Sonia Odedra (Photo: Loughborough Lightning Cricket)

With a range that includes competition wear, training wear, casual clothing and kit for support staff, Lightning are now well equipped to go for glory in the KSL, having finished third on Finals Day last year.

BAS are one of the pioneers in precision manufacturing & exporting of sports goods, having been established for over 85 years. Already endorsing a number of cricketing greats such as Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni, BAS is the perfect partner for Loughborough Lightning Cricket as the team continue their strive for excellence in the cricketing world.

With the second season of the Kia Super League, a tournament which pits the top six women’s cricket teams against each other in a series of T20 games, kicking off on 10 August, the deal comes at the perfect time for Lightning Cricket as they fine tune their preparations.

Of the new partnership Loughborough Sport’s Commercial Director Jo Simpson said: “These are really exciting times for cricket at Loughborough.  Our new partnership with BAS enables us to benefit from their long history and understanding of the game to maximise the performance of our team.  We are really proud to be working alongside a brand with such pedigree in this field and look forward to an even more successful season.”

BAS Brand Director Richard Mansfield added: “We are very excited and proud to be supporting women’s sport by partnering with Loughborough Lighting Women’s Cricket and are delighted that working together we have achieved what the team wanted in their kits look, feel and performance expectations. We’re sure they will play some amazing cricket whilst looking fantastic. We wish the players and staff the very best in this year’s 2017 Kia Super League.”

Loughborough Lightning will face Western Storm in their first match, in the 2017 Kia Super League, at the The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton.

Report courtesy of Loughborough University

It is hoped that she will be available for selection for Thunder’s second match, when they host Surrey Stars at Emirates Old Trafford on Wednesday August 15.

Report courtesy of the ECB

Here are all the results from the Kia Super League 2017

Thursday 10 August

Southern Vipers v Western Storm – Vipers win by 9 wickets

Friday 11 August

Yorkshire Diamonds v Lancashire Thunder – Diamonds win by 28 runs

Saturday 12 August

Western Storm v Loughborough Lightning – Storm win by 5 wickets

Sunday 13 August

Surrey Stars v Yorkshire Diamonds – Stars win by 8 wickets

Tuesday 15 August

Loughborough Lightning v Southern Vipers –  Vipers win by 46 runs

Wednesday 16 August

Lancashire Thunder v Surrey Stars – Stars win by 33 runs

Friday 18 August

Loughborough Lightning v Yorkshire Diamonds – Diamonds win by 17 runs

Sunday 20 August

Lancashire Thunder v Loughborough Lightning  – Lightning beat Thunder by 50 runs

Southern Vipers v Surrey Stars – Stars win by 4 runs

Yorkshire Diamonds v Western Storm  – Storm win by 10 wickets

Wednesday 23 August

Lancashire Thunder v Southern Vipers – Vipers win by 6 wickets

Surrey Stars v Western Storm – Southern Stars win by 52 runs

Saturday 26 August

Surrey Stars v Loughborough Lightning – Lightning win by 81 runs

Western Storm v Lancashire Thunder – Storm win by 5 wickets

Southern Vipers v Yorkshire Diamonds – Vipers win by 30 runs

Friday 1 September

Finals day (1st Central County Ground, Hove, live on Sky Sports)

14.15 – Surrey Stars v Western Storm – Western Storm win by 3 wickets

18.00 – Southern Vipers v Western Storm – Western Storm win the KSL 2017 Superleague