The eventual top three of the 2019 Kia Super League has been decided and the last round-robin match for each team will be a mere formality. Western Storm has ended up topping the table winning 9 out of the 10 matches that they have played securing 39 points. Loughborough Lightning is in second place, winning 7 of their 10 matches to notch up 32 points while Southern Vipers round up the top three with 4 wins from their 10 matches and securing 22 points.
This means that the three teams – Western Storm, Loughborough Lightning, and Southern Vipers – will battle it out to be the last winners of the trophy (The women’s edition of The Hundred is scheduled to replace the Kia Super League next year onwards). Western Storm will directly qualify for the finals and will play against the winners of the semi-finals between Loughborough Lightning and Southern Vipers after their match. Both these matches will take place at Hove on 1st September 2019.
The tournament has already seen players in top form, performing consistently and winning games for their side. In this article, we look at the players who are expected to make or break the fortunes of their side on Finals Day.
WESTERN STORM – PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR
- Rachel Priest: The experienced New Zealand wicket-keeper is the third-highest run-scorer in this season amassing 338 runs from 10 matches with 3 half-centuries to her name. She has hit the maximum number of sixes in this edition with a total of 15 sixes helping her score at a strike rate of nearly 150. Her highest score of 89 was made in the previous match itself, which was scored in only 55 balls. Behind the wicket, she has claimed a total of 12 dismissals in this season – 7 catches and 5 stumpings.
- Heather Knight: The England captain has led Western Storm from the front winning 9 of the 10 matches that they have played. She has been consistent with the bat scoring 314 runs from 10 matches at an average of just under 40. She has hit 3 half-centuries with a top score of 61. She has also been a handy bowler for her side picking up 5 wickets so far.
- Fran Wilson: The classy Englishwoman has made 280 runs batting on 9 instances this season. With 2 half-centuries to her name, she has the second-highest average on the batting charts. With a strike rate of over 140, she has been a useful middle-order player for her side, playing delightful cameos to help set up or chase big targets.
- Smriti Mandhana: The dashing Indian opener has had a very good return in the season. She has played the role of an anchor laying the foundation for her team while batting. She may have scored only 268 runs from her 10 matches but has played 2 match-winning knocks – 72 off 43 balls against Lancashire Thunder and 70 off 47 balls against Yorkshire Diamonds. Both were scored while chasing and this helped her team chase down stiff targets with ease.
- Freya Davies: This talented English bowler is already the leading wicket-taker in this season’s list with as many as 18 wickets. She has 2 instances of four-fors in her 10 games with the best bowling analysis of 4 wickets while conceding just 18 runs. She has conceded just under 12 runs per wicket and has effectively taken a wicket every two overs that she bowls. She is the most threatening bowler for her side at the moment.
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