KIA Women’s Super League, 2019: Match 2, Loughborough Lightning vs Western Storm: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

Western Storm, one of the favourites of the competition, will begin their 2019 KSL campaign when they face Loughborough Lightning. The team led by Heather Knight finished as runners-up in the previous season after winning the 2017 edition title. Smriti Mandhana was the standout performer during the previous season for them. The Indian batswoman loves playing in England and also against the England bowlers as her record suggests.

Another Indian, Deepti Sharma will make her first appearance in an overseas league by representing the Western Storm. On the other hand, the Loughborough team is led by Georgia Elwiss. The Lightning has an interesting to-order with Amy Jones, Hayley Matthews, Chamari Atapattu and Mignon du Preez batting in the top four. Kirstie Gordon stood out as the leading wicket-taker in the 2018 KSL having picked up 17 wickets.

Match Details:

The 2nd match of the Kia Women’s Super League 2019 will be played between Loughborough Lightning and Western Storm at the Haslegrave Ground in Loughborough.

The match starts at 4:00 PM local time (8:30 PM IST) (3:00 PM GMT).

Pitch Condition/Report:

The Haslegrave Ground in Loughborough stood host for quite a lot of high-scoring KSL matches. Three times the 160-run mark has been breached out of eight games at this venue hosted including a successful chase of a 173-run target. Though the chasing teams lost five matches out of eight here, two games ended with a winning margin of six or fewer runs.

Average first innings score: 143 (Kia Super League matches)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 3, Lost – 5

Probable Playing XIs:

Loughborough Lightning:

Amy Jones (WK), Hayley Matthews, Chamari Atapattu, Mignon du Preez, Georgia Elwiss (C), Jenny Gunn, Kirstie Gordon, Lucy Higham, Georgia Adams, Sarah Glenn, Tara Norris.

Bench: Alice Monaghan, Abbey Freeborn, Kathryn Bryce, Jo Gardner.

Western Storm:

Smriti Mandhana, Rachel Priest, Heather Knight (C), Fran Wilson, Deepti Sharma, Naomi Dattani, Anya Shrubsole, Freya Davies, Dani Gibson, Claire Nicholas.

Bench: Ellie Mitchell, Alex Griffiths, Sonia Odedra, Sophie Luff.

Injury and Availability News:

Jenny Gunn recently suffered an injury but has recovered and is set to play this match.

Power Picks:

Kristie Gordon in Kia Super League in 2018:

17 wickets from 11 matches at an average of 12.47 and a strike rate of 12.3.

She was the leading wicket-taker of the KSL 2018.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Smriti Mandhana, Hayley Matthews, Heather Knight, Georgia Elwiss

Vice-Captain – Chamari Atapattu, Anya Shrubsole, Kirstie Gordon, Rachel Priest

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Amy Jones, Rachel Priest

Batsmen – Smriti Mandhana (C), Fran Wilson, Chamari Atapattu

All-Rounders – Georgia Elwiss, Hayley Matthews (VC)

Bowlers – Kirstie Gordon, Freya Davies, Anya Shrubsole, Claire Nicholas

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Rachel Priest

Batsmen – Smriti Mandhana (VC), Mignon du Preez, Chamari Atapattu, Heather Knight

All-Rounders – Georgia Elwiss (C), Hayley Matthews, Deepti Sharma

Bowlers – Kirstie Gordon, Freya Davies, Claire Nicholas

Expert Advice:

Kirstie Gordon and the Western Storm bowlers Freya Davies and Claire Nicholas become a must with as their price is only 8 credits for this game. A lot of players are of 9.5 and more credits present in this game.

Probable Winners:

Western Storm is expected to begin with a comfortable victory.

*Disclaimer: This team is based on the understanding, analysis and instinct of the author. While selecting your team, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.