KSL 2019 Preview: Yorkshire Diamonds v Western Storm

THE MATCH

Western Storm will be looking to make it five wins out of five in this year’s KIA Super League when we take on Yorkshire Diamonds at York Cricket Club tomorrow (Thursday).

Play is due to get under way at 2:30pm.

Western Storm are currently top of the KSL table with 17 points from four matches whilst Yorkshire Diamonds are fifth with four points from their three games.

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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 on four previous occasions with Western Storm coming out on top on each occasion.

The last time the two sides met was at Scarborough in 2018.

Yorkshire Diamonds won the toss and elected to bat.

Beth Mooney (69) and Lauren Winfield (48) shared an opening stand of 119 as the hosts made a solid start. However, the Diamonds failed to build on that platform and they reached 172 for five from their 20 overs.

Smriti Mandhana and Rachel Priest also shared a century opening stand before Priest was dismissed for a rapid 37. Mandhana went on to make 56 from 36 balls before Heather Knight (45 not out from 37) helped he side reached the required total with four balls to spare as Western Storm won by seven wickets.

TEAM NEWS

Western Storm will be without injured duo Amara Carr and Danielle Gibson and will name a starting XI from the following 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 Western Storm Captain, Heather Knight said: “I’m delighted with the start we’ve made and that we’ve found ways to win games, but we’ve not played our best cricket yet

“We’ve been good in parts with the bat and ball without finding that complete performance we always strive for. There are signs that things are coming together, but we need to keep improving with every game.

“There’s already a great spirit within the squad and that’s something we can foster while away together as a group. Games are coming thick and fast right now and, if we can come through these next two matches with our unbeaten record intact, then we should be in a really strong position.

“Diamonds will be tough opposition, though it’s a ground we’ve played on previously and done well on. The weather hasn’t been ideal, and it’s thrown up plenty of challenges for batters. We’ve had to contend with some slow pitches, but we’ve managed to find a way to win games while not playing at our best.

“T20 cricket is all about building momentum and, because we’re winning games, we certainly have that at the moment.”

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

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