ECB says popularity of KSL proves how successful women's cricket is
Monday 22 August 2016 15:08, UK
Charlotte Edwards' Southern Vipers are the inaugural Kia Super League champions after beating Western Storm by seven wickets in the title-deciding clash, at Chelsmford.
Vipers, who qualified for the final by finishing top of the table, cruised to the crown as Suzie Bates top-scored with 52 off 46 balls in a total of 143-3 off 18.5 overs - former England all-rounder Lydia Greenway (17no) hitting the winning runs.
Storm, who overcame Loughborough Lightning earlier on Finals Day to earn the right to challenge Vipers for the title, posted 140-5 after Rachel Priest (57) and Stafanie Taylor (35 off 28) put on 74 for the first wicket after being put in.
England captain Heather Knight went cheaply, though, bowled by former international team-mate Arran Brindle - by far the most economical of the bowlers with 2-15 off four overs - who came out of retirement for the competition.
Bates and Edwards (24 off 18) got the Vipers' chase off to a flyer with an opening stand of 78 in just under 10 overs, paving the way for Georgia Adams (15 off 17), Sarah McGlashan (21no) and Greenway to complete the job - an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 39 sealing matters.
Jodie Dibble (1-27) was the only Storm bowler to enjoy success, bowling Edwards, before Bates and Adams fell to run outs.
Over the last three weeks over 15,000 fans have watched the 15 group stage matches between the six teams, prompting ECB's Director of England Women's Cricket, Clare Connor, to herald the new competition a success.
"I am immensely proud of what has been achieved by the Kia Super League on and off the field during the last few weeks," she said.
"Working from a blank page just over a year ago, we have seen some incredible cricket played by six brand new teams in front of fantastic crowds at nine different venues across the country.
"The publicity and interest generated around the tournament has given us a real taste of what is possible for the women's game. At every match we have enjoyed welcoming thousands of spectators and, most importantly, plenty of new faces to the game.
"The blend of traditional county cricket supporters turning their heads to the women's game for the first time, along with mothers and daughters - many of whom are now beginning to dream of their own futures in an England shirt - vindicates the time and investment taken to make this competition a reality."
Despite losing the final, Knight says the Super League has been "absolutely fantastic for all of the players involved".
She added: "The quality of the cricket has been excellent - it has been challenging and certainly provides a stepping stone from county cricket to the international arena.
"With my England hat on, it has been really great to see some of the younger England Women's Academy players coming through. Throughout the group stages there have been several examples of young players putting in some eye-catching performances - effectively putting up their hand and saying "look at me", which is brilliant.
"The crowds have also been awesome, which gives a young player the experience and pressure of playing in a big ground, in front of lots of people - this is priceless in terms of preparing them to play for England."
