KIA Women’s Super League, 2019: Match 6, Western Storm vs Lancashire Thunder: Dream11 Fantasy Cricket Tips – Playing XI, Pitch Report & Injury Update

The KSL game between Western Storm and Lancashire Thunder on Saturday will be an important one in the perspective of the Indian viewers. The Indian Women’s T20I skipper Harmanpreet Kaur will face her deputy Smriti Mandhana in Taunton. Harmanpreet represents Lancashire and is a crucial part of her team. Mandhana plays for Western Storm alongside another Indian player, Deepti Sharma.

Smriti made it to the news with a record-breaking debut season in KSL last year and is expected to continue the same. All-rounder Deepti is getting her first taste of playing in a T20 league. Talking about the game, the Lancashire franchise is quite weaker, especially in the batting department. Western Storm has always had their bases covered, which is why they were the champions of the 2017 edition and runners-up last time.

Match Details:

The 6th match of the Kia Super League 2019 will be played between Western Storm and Lancashire Thunder at The Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton.

The match starts at 3:00 PM local time (7:30 PM IST) (2:00 PM GMT).

This game will be live on Sky Sports in England.

Weather Condition/Report:

Between 3 PM and 7 PM local time, the rain chances are less than 10%. Saturday looks dry during afternoon and evening but the conditions are expected to remain overcast. There is a possibility of a delayed start as there is a good chance of rain in the morning which could spoil the outfield.

Pitch Condition/Report:

The Taunton is one of the easiest scoring venues in Women’s cricket. The venue stood host for four T20Is and three KSL games. Six of those seven matches recorded at least one total of 160+ in the game.

The only game that missed out was a KSL game that got reduced to 6 overs-a-side where a total of 152 runs were scored. During a doubleheader last, the then highest Women’s T20I total was breached twice in a day. Anything around 160 can be chased down at this venue.

Average first innings score: 191 (Unaffected Women’s T20s since 2018)

Record of chasing teams: Won – 2, Lost – 4

Probable Playing XIs:

Western Storm:

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

Bench: Ellie Mitchell, Sonia Odedra, Natasha Wraith.

Lancashire Thunder:

Eve Jones, Ellie Threlkeld, Tahlia McGrath, Sune Luus, Harmanpreet Kaur, Sophia Dunkley, Kate Cross (C), Alex Hartley, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Boyce, Emma Lamb.

Bench: Natalie Brown, Danielle Collins, Alice Dyson, Ria Fackrell.

Injury and Availability News:

Anya Shrubsole is set to play this match after resting in the previous game.

Top Picks:

Smriti Mandhana scored 149 runs across three games in Taunton last year at an average of 74.5. The most impressive fact is her strike-rate reads 232.81 across those matches. Her skipper Heather Knight also has a decent record here. Knight scored 309 runs from 9 T20s at an average of 43.71 and with the help of two fifties.

Captain and Vice-Captain Selection:

Captain – Smriti Mandhana, Heather Knight, Harmanpreet Kaur, Tahlia McGrath

Vice-Captain – Kate Cross, Anya Shrubsole, Sophie Ecclestone, Rachel Priest

Considering the performances in the tournament so far, it won’t be a bad idea to choose the Indian stars Mandhana and Harmanpreet as multipliers.

Suggested Playing XI for Head to Head/Small Leagues:

Keeper – Rachel Priest

Batsmen – Smriti Mandhana (C), Harmanpreet Kaur (VC), Heather Knight

All-Rounders – Tahlia McGrath, Emma Lamb, Deepti Sharma

Bowlers – Alex Hartley, Freya Davies, Claire Nicholas

Suggested Playing XI for Grand Leagues/Mega Leagues:

Keeper – Ellie Threlkeld

Batsmen – Smriti Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur, Fran Wilson, Heather Knight (C)

All-Rounders – Tahlia McGrath (VC), Sophia Dunkley

Bowlers – Sophie Ecclestone, Freya Davies, Anya Shrubsole, Claire Nicholas

Expert Advice:

Given how the Lancashire Thunder’s top order fared in the previous two matches, Harmanpreet Kaur becomes a must in the fantasy team due to her experience and effectiveness.

Probable Winners:

Western Storm is expected to hand the 3rd consecutive defeat to Lancashire Thunder.

*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.