KSL 2019 Preview: Western Storm v Lancashire Thunder
THE MATCH
Western Storm take on Lancashire Thunder in the KSL at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton tomorrow (Saturday).
The match gets underway at 3pm with gates opening at 1pm.
This match is part of a Double Header with Somerset taking on Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast at 7pm.
HOW CAN I KEEP UP TO DATE?
You can keep up to date with the action Twitter
The match is also being shown live on Sky Sports Cricket with coverage starting at 2:30pm.
In addition to this a report on the day’s play along with quotes will be posted after the close.
HEAD TO HEAD
The two sides have met four times with Western Storm winning on every occasion.
The last time the two sides met was at the Cooper Associates County Ground last season.
Lancashire won the toss and elected to field.
Heather Knight (76 from 50), Stafanie Taylor (51 not out from 37) and Smriti Mandhana (49 from 25) ensured that Western Storm posted a total of 185 for four from their 20 overs.
Three wickets for just 11 runs from Claire Nicholas helped to restrict Lancashire to 109 all out from 18.2 overs as Western Storm won by 76 runs to claim a bonus point victory.
TEAM NEWS
Anya Shrubsole returns to the squad for this match whilst Nat Wraith replaces the injured Amara Carr.
Head Coach, Trevor Griffin will name the starting XI from the follwoing squad: Heather Knight (c), Anya Shrubsole, Fran Wilson, Smriti Mandhana, Rachel Priest, Deepti Sharma, Freya Davies, Sophie Luff, Claire Nicholas, Sonia Odedra, Danielle Gibson, Naomi Dattani, Ellie Mitchell, Alex Griffiths and Nat Wraith.
VIEWS FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Ahead of the match Head Coach, Trevor Griffin was full of praise for the squad.
“We have a great balance this year,” he said. “We still have that core group who have been so successful over the course of the last three years, but we have added to it and now have a great mix of experience and youth.
“To have seven players in the group who have been with us since the KSL started is really important, because continuity of selection is vital in any winning side. However, they are now being pushed hard by new players and youngsters who have worked their way through the South West Regional Development Centre.
“We have world-class players and World Cup winners, but we now also have a group of hungry young players with a point to prove.”
WHAT TIME DO GATES OPEN?
Gates will open at 1pm.
WHICH GATE SHOULD I USE?
SCCC Members and ticket holders can enter the Cooper Associates County Ground via The Priory Bridge Road Gate, St James Street Gate and the Brian Rose Gate.
Hospitality guests are invited to use the VIP entry point at the St James Street Gate.
PLANNING YOUR JOURNEY
All the information that you need about getting to the Cooper Associates County Ground can be found by clicking here
WET WEATHER PLAN
If the cricket match is affected by the weather, please visit the SCCC Match Centre or Twitter page to view all the latest updates and the prospects of play. Please note that, whilst SCCC will do their best to help spectators who are travelling to the match, it will be the umpires and not the Club who will make the decision as to whether play is possible.
If it has been deemed that a match has to be completely abandoned, please see the Club’s refund and exchange policy.
FAN VILLAGE
The fan village will be situated in the St James Street side of the Ground and will feature a 24-metre marquee bar which will be serving draught Tribute, Thatchers Gold, Thatchers Haze and Carlsberg. There will also be a number of local ciders available as well as wide range of soft drinks and a Champagne bar. The marquee bar will also be trailing two-pint cups.
The Gin & Sin Company will be in attendance and there will also be a Pimm’s shed on site.
In addition to the bars, we have also teamed up with local street food companies in order to provide and exciting and varied range of food options.
These include: The Hot Sausage Company, Bearclaw Meats, Woody Baloo’s Pizza, Nacho Burrito, Silvan’s, Somerset Steak House and Pancake Pod.
As well as food and drink, there will also be a large artificial grassed area where you can relax in our Tribute and Thatchers deckchairs whilst enjoying live music from The Haus Band.
FOOD & DRINK
In addition to the Fan Village there are a number of outlets where you can purchase food and drink on match day and these are as follows:
Food is available from:
- The Great Catch Fish & Chip Shop (Ian Botham Stand)
- Granny Gothards Ice Cream Parlour (Somerset Stand)
- Rooftop concession unit (Somerset Pavilion)*
- Ground floor concession unit (Somerset Pavilion)
- Legends Square – mobile take away food unit
The following bars will also be open:
- Stragglers Coffee House
- County Room
- Ian Botham Stand
- 12th Man Cans Bar (card only)*
- Somerset Stand Bar*
- Thatchers Rig – Priory Bridge Road car park (card only)*
- The Hop & Bottle Rig – Priory Bridge Road car park
- Somerset Stand Cans Bar (card only)*
*opening at 4:30pm
OTHER INFORMATION
SOMERSET COUNTY SPORTS. Somerset County Sports will be open throughout the match and is located near the Somerset Cricket Museum. You can visit their website here to check out their wide range of cricket equipment and replica kit.
SCCC SHOP. The new SCCC shop will be open selling a number of SCCC branded leisurewear and gift items. The shop is situated behind the Ondaatje stands. There is also a Vitality Blast Special Offer! 15% off Drinks Break T shirts and zipped Wyvern hoodies. Our Somerset lalala Tshirts are also now half price!!!
KIDS ZONE. Our Kids Activation Zone will be set up in the St James Street side of the Ground. Make sure you visit the Somerset Cricket Board Coaches and try out your skills!
BOOK SIGNING. Michael Bates signing and selling copies of his new book, “Keeping Up” in the SCCC Shop. Co-Author Tom Huelin will also be on hand to assist during the KSL match whilst Michael is busy supporting the team.
Main image courtesy of Getty Images
