Kiwi County Tour: Women's T20 Super League #5

Raining wins?

There are three more games left before Women's T20 Super League Finals day and a win for Sophie Devine (Loughborough Lightning) over Rachel Priest's Western Storm has all but sealed top spot for the Lightning. Western are still in 2nd despite that loss and even though Lancashire Thunder grabbed a win during the week, Amy Satterthwaite looks likely to miss out on Finals day as the Thunder are in 4th.

We start with the rather depressing Southern Vipers however, who have now lost six of their nine games. The Vipers were defeated by Surrey Stars, with the Stars chasing down Southern's target of 148 in the final over, having lost just 6 wickets. Yet another loss for the Vipers, although this game did feature some impressive performances from our kiwis.

Follow the 2018 Kia Super League here: www.ecb.co.uk/super-league England's gun all-rounder Nat Sciver showed her ability with both skills, taking 4 wickets as well as a fast-paced 46. The result boosts Surrey's chances of reaching the finals, leaving Vipers in the unenviable position of propping up the table.

Suzie Bates has dropped down the batting order, batting #3 and #4 recently but with Southern losing a wicket in the first over, Bates still went out to bat as though she was opening. Bates tonked 82 off 57 balls (143.85sr) and this would have been fantastic if Bates got some sort of support, but with the next best score being 15, Bates' 82 made up over half of the Vipers total. Sara McGlashan and Amelia Kerr both had scores of 8.

Surrey chased down their target fairly easily, Kerr and Bates still found a way to be effective. Kerr took 2w in 4ov @ 6.50rpo and Bates took 2w in 4ov @ 5.50rpo, together they accounted for the first 3w of Surrey's innings. Like their batting, there wasn't much support from the rest of the bowling group and Surrey were able to score freely around those wickets; even if Bates did manage to grab a run out as well.

In the battle of the Kiwi County Tour sluggers, Rachel Priest could only manage 7 off 10 as Western stumbled their way to 124/6 off their 20 overs. Priest was dismissed by Sophie Devine and Devine got her mandatory 2w (4ov @ 6.75rpo), Devine then smacked 38 off 30 (126.66sr) which snatched any hope of a Western win away from the Storm. Devine's opening knock saw the Lightning score 90 runs for the first wicket and the game was wrapped up.

Devine has taken 2+ wickets in six of her nine games, which is good enough to see her hold on to her crown as the leading wicket-taker. With 15w @ 13.13avg/6.60rpo, Devine is 1st and Loughborough also have the 2nd and 3rd best wicket-takers; three Lougborough bowlers including Devine have combined to take 41 wickets in 9inns.

Follow the 2018 Kia Super League here: www.ecb.co.uk/super-league Loughborough took down Western Storm in lightning quick time, propelling themselves to the top of the table with an emphatic win. The home side chased down Storm's 124-6 in just 12.3 overs, Rachel Haynes top scoring with 66 from 40 balls.

With her handy 38, Devine is currently 5th in runs. Amy Satterthwaite is 4th after her knock of 7 off 9 in Lancashire Thunder's win over Yorkshire Diamonds, Satterthwaite also took 1w @ 6.66rpo to help restrict Yorkshire to 145/8 in their pursuit of Lancashire's 155. 

That knock from Satterthwaite was good enough to see her hold on to 4th spot in runs, fighting of Devine and Bates is making a late charge up the run-scoring rankings as she now sits in 6th. Satterthwaite has the most runs and best average (250runs/35.71avg), while Devine has 242 runs and Bates has 234 runs. Devine has the best strike-rate of the three kiwis, scoring at 147.56sr and this is still has Devine among the best hitters in the Super League; Devine has the 2nd highest strike-rate of batters who have scored 100+runs.

Southern Vipers will take on Lancashire Thunder this weekend, a game the Thunder will need to win and hope other results fall their way. Bates has found her groove though and Kerr is steadily chiming in with wickets, so the Vipers could upset Satterthwaite's finals hopes. In the other two games, Devine's Lightning take on Yorkshire Diamonds and Priest's Storm take on Surrey Stars.

Hit an ad to support the Kiwi County Tour.

Or jump on Patreon and support the Niche Cache directly, we drop bonus stuff for the Patrons and take care of the homies.

Peace and love 27.