Kia Super League is here again to add some extra glamour to the England summer. This league started in 2016 and is now considered to be one of the most prestigious tournaments in women’s cricket. The experienced ones wait to show their magic and skills to the cricket world whereas the newbies wait to get a call for Kia Super League teams every year. This is a big opportunity to play along with some of the finest players and brush up the skills. Last two seasons of Kia Super League produced two different winners; Southern Vipers in 2016 and Western Storms in 2017. Kia has six teams fighting for the title and each team has the biggest names of the women’s cricket world.
Western Storms-
Smriti Mandhana – Smriti Mandhana is one of the most reliable players in Indian cricket team. She has constantly proved herself in both formats of limited over cricket. The 22 year old will be the first from her country to appear in England’s Kia Super League. After beaten by Bangladesh Women in Asia Cup 2018 final, it will be a nice opportunity for Smriti to give her best and prepare for the upcoming Twenty 20 World Cup in November this year.
Stafanie Taylor – West Indian women’s cricket team captain is a dependable name for Western Storms since the beginning of Kia Super League. She led the West Indies team to win 2016 Twenty 20 World Cup. In 2013 she became the only player in the history of cricket to achieve number one ODI ranking in both batting and bowling simultaneously. Recently she has been awarded by two prestigious Cricket West Indies award. No wonder, Stafanie will be a vital weapon for Storms to defend the title in Kia Super League.
Southern vipers –
Amelia Kerr – The new teenage sensation Amelia Kerr will be the major attraction for Kia Super League 2018. The cricket world is still talking about her record of last month. She became the youngest player to score a double century in any format of both men and women, and also took 5 wickets for just 17 balls in the same day to defeat the opponent single handedly. All eyes will be at her as she will debut this year at the first match for Southern Vipers.
Suzie bates – The first centurion of Kia Super League is all set to open her captaincy inning with Southern Vipers. It should not be tough for her to balance between captaincy and her batting as she is habituated to do the same for White Ferns. Still keeping her recent form in mind it will be interesting to notice how she does that. Women’s Championship in last month wasn’t a success for Bates but the right-hander has proven to be one of the finest in women’s cricket since her debut since 2006.
Surrey Stars-
Sarah Taylor – The biggest transfer of this year is Sarah Taylor from Lancashire Thunder to Surrey Stars. She signed for Surrey Stars After missing out India’s tour this year. Sarah returned to the England side for the Tri Nation Twenty20 Women’s series. She had a moderate series and Kia Super League will be a good practice for her for the upcoming Twenty 20 world cup in November, 2018.
Dane Van Niekerk – With 88 ODIs and 62 T20s in her kitty the South African skipper joined Surrey Stars this year. The record holder for many ‘first’s is South Africa’s third most capped player in ODIs in the age of 24. This extremely experienced leg spinning all rounder replaced Australia’s Rene Farrell as the third overseas player of Surrey. Moreover it will be interesting to see the first married couple to play in the same side in Kia as Dane joins Marizanne Kapp.
Loughborough Lightning
Jenny Gunn – Jennifer Louise Gunn popularly known as Jenny Gunn recently became the first cricketer, male or female, to play 100 international Twenty 20 matches during England’s Tri-Nations Series in India. She was a part of world cup winning England team last year. The 32 year old all rounder previously was a part of Yorkshire Diamonds. No wonder she will add class to the England summer while teaming up with players like Georgia Elwiss and Amy Jones in Loughborough Lightning.
Sophie Devine – The 28 year old kiwi all rounder has been a consistent support for the Lightning. Her commendable form in last month helped New Zealand to seal the tri series 2-1 against England. In last world cup she became the first woman cricketer to hit nine sixes against Pakistan. During last winter she showed the same temperament for Adelaide Strikers in Big Bash League, Australia. Undoubtedly Sophie will be a treat to watch in Kia Super League considering her past few performances.
Lancashire Thunder
Alex Hartley – Despite being out of the national side for last two series, Alex continued to perform well in domestic matches. Alex swapped team with her national teammate Sarah Taylor and joined Lancashire leaving Surrey. It will be nice to watch Alex playing alongside her colleagues from England team like Sophie Ecclestone and Danielle Hazell. After a remarkable performance in World Cup, 2017, Alex will be geared up for this summer as well.
Harmanpreet Kaur – After being missed out from last year’s Kia Super League Indian sensation Harmanpreet Kaur will be joining Kia Super league as the second Indian woman after Smriti Mandhana. Due to shoulder injury Harmanpreet could not play for Surrey Star in 2017. This year she will be playing for Lancashire Thunder. After her performance at Big Bash League, the fans will be really looking forward to watch her at Kia Super League this year.
Yorkshire Diamonds
Chamari Atapattu – Yorkshire retained one of its most consistent overseas players Chamari Atapattu. She joined Yorkshire Diamonds last year and became the first Sri Lankan woman to sign for Kia Super League. In the last world cup she scored 178 against Australia to record the highest individual score in women’s ODI. The Sri Lankan captain with aggressive batting is an automatic choice for Yorkshire while talking about consistent performance.
Katherine Brunt – Another consistent name for Yorskshire Diamonds is Katherine Brunt. The 32 year old is one of the senior players from England female cricket team. The right arm fast bowler was a member of the world cup winning team of England in 2017. After returning from injury Brunt already played two series for England and now she is all set to shower her experience for Yorkshire at Kia Super League.
Less than 24 hours to go for Kia Super League, 2018! Teams are ready. Players are all set to step in. Let’s get ready for some wonderful moments to be made at the crease. Let’s enjoy the classic English summer with cricket. Let’s find out the next Kia Super League winner.
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