Anya Shrubsole set to miss Kia Super League opening game

England Women’s World Cup star Anya Shrubsole is set to miss the opening game for her side Western Strom in the 2nd edition of Kia Super League. The 25-year old seamer has suffered a small side strain which will put her out of Western Strom’s first game against Southern Vipers on August 10th at the Ageas Bowl.

Anya Shrubsole played a crucial role in England’s victory in the recent Women’s World Cup where she picked up 6-wicket haul in the final against India who were cruising towards their maiden title but Shrubsole’s spell bundled out India to 219 from 193/3.

Thus, she not only became the first Woman to take a 5-fer in a World Cup final but also the first player (Men’s or Women’s cricket) to take 6-wicket haul at the biggest stage. She played an important in the semi-final against South Africa also by hitting the winning runs after walking out to bat with England Women still needing 2 runs in 3 balls with only two wickets in hand.

Date of possible return

Shrubsole’s team Western Strom will be playing their 2nd game on August 12 against Loughborough Lightning at Taunton but it is unsure whether the 25-year-old will recover by then from the side strain she has suffered. However, their 3rd game is on August 20 against Yorkshire Diamonds at Clifton Park and Shrubsole will be having enough time for gaining 100% fitness.

Southern Vipers won the inaugural edition of the Kia Super League by defeating Western Strom in the final. Both the teams will now face off in the opening game of the 2nd edition on August 10th. The six teams participating in the tournament will feature in the round robin league format till August 26th which will be followed by a qualifier between the 2nd and 3rd ranked teams on September 1st and the winner of the game will face the table topper in the final on the same day at the Hove.