KSL 2017, Match 1 Review: Southern Vipers bag a bonus point win against Western Storm

The defending champions Southern Vipers thumped down Western Storm in the opening game of the Kia Super League’s 2nd edition at Southampton. The Western Storm side, who batted first, were bowled for just 70 and the Vipers chased down the target by losing only one wicket and with more than 10 overs to spare. The Vipers bagged a bonus point as well with the win.

Former England captain Charlotte Edwards, who lead Vipers in this game elected to field after winning the toss. Left-arm bowlers Tash Farrant and Linsey Smith troubled the Western Strom batters as they failed to accumulate runs on a slow track. Rachael Priest was caught behind off Farrant while England and the Western Strom captain Heather Knight was cleaned up by a delivery from Smith that kept low as they crawled to 19/2 in the mandatory powerplay.

A six and a couple of fours by Georgie Hennessy in the 9th over piled 16 runs for the batting side but the following over saw the beginning of their collapse. Suzie Bates trapped Hennessy in front for 22 while Farrant got her 2nd wicket by dismissing Stafanie Taylor for 8. From there on, the Western Storm were bowled out for just 70 in 18.5 overs as only Frank Wilson (10) and Hennessy got into double digits.

The Vipers started off their chase cautiously with Bates playing out a maiden. But the 4th over bowled by Holly Huddleston virtually ended the game as she conceded 34 runs in that over alone after the batting side scored 13 in their first 3 overs. Bates hit the 3rd and 4th balls of the over for boundaries and also the 5th ball which was a free-hit delivery.

The New Zealand pacer bowled no-balls in three consecutive deliveries which were hit for 4, 6 and 4 respectively by her countrymate, Suzie Bates. The over bowled by Huddleston read: 0, 1, 4, 4, 2+Nb, 4, 4+Nb, 6+Nb, 4+Nb, 1. Hayley Matthews got out scoring 15 runs but Bates remained unbeaten on 47 off 31 balls to see off her team chasing down in just 9 overs.

Brief scores:

Western Storm – 70/10 (18.5) Georgia Hennessy – 22(31), Suzie Bates – 2/8 (3)

Southern Vipers – 73/1 (9) Suzie Bates – 47*(31), Stafanie Taylor – 1/3 (2)

Southern Vipers won by 9 wickets